Criss Oliva
Criss Oliva
Background information
Birth name	Christoper Michael Oliva
Born	April 3, 1963
Origin	Pomption Plains, NJ
Died	October 17, 1993
Genre(s)	Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Power Metal
Occupation(s)	Guitarist
Associated acts	Savatage
Website	CrissOliva.net

Christopher "Criss" Michael Oliva (April 3, 1963 - October 17, 1993) was born in Pomption Plains, NJ. He was the lead guitarist for the band Savatage. Criss was the youngest of four children, one of whom was brother Jon Oliva. April 3 is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 272 days remaining. ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... Pequannock Township is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. ... October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... Heavy metals, in chemistry, are chemical elements of a particular range of atomic weights. ... Progressive metal (often shortened to prog, or prog metal when differentiating from progressive rock) is a genre of heavy metal music which shares traits with progressive rock including use of complex compositional structures, odd time signatures, and intricate instrumental playing. ... Power metal is a style of heavy metal music with the aim of evoking an epic feel, incorporating characteristics of primarily traditional metal and thrash metal, often within a fantastic or (less often) symphonic context. ... Savatage is a heavy metal/progressive metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979. ... April 3 is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 272 days remaining. ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... Pequannock Township is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Area  Ranked 47th  - Total 8,729 sq mi (22,608 km²)  - Width 70 miles (110 km)  - Length 150 miles (240 km)  - % water 14. ... Savatage is a heavy metal/progressive metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979. ... Most famous for his time as frontman and vocalist to the band Savatage, Jon Oliva has also composed music for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra headed up the 1993 project Dr. Butcher and his own 2005 album Jon Olivas Pain. ...

Early life

According to his parents, Criss was a spoiled child, getting just about everything he ever wanted. His family moved around the country during his childhood, stopping off in California before making Florida their home. It was in California that Criss found music and considered it his calling, and continued his musicial interests when he moved to Florida. He spent countless hours figuring out his favorite songs on records, and when he found it difficult to figure out a part on the record he just made up his own licks. This would later help him in his songwriting. Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,794 sq mi (170,451 km²)  - Width 162 miles (260 km)  - Length 497 miles (800 km)  - % water 17. ...

Savatage

Criss and his brother Jon formed their first band together, Avatar, in 1978, from the ashes of their former bands Tower and Alien respectively. In 1980, the duo met up with Steve Wacholz and jammed in a shack behind the Oliva home that was dubbed "The Pit" by the band. They also gave Steve a nickname that would follow him through out his career: "Doctor Killdrums", often shortened to just "Doc", which referred to Steve's hard playing style. 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ...

Criss, Jon and Steve played Tampa (where they had moved with their family in the late-70s) and Clearwater area clubs for many years. In 1981, Keith Collins joined them to relieve Jon of bass guitar duties. In 1982, the band released an E.P. on Par Records. In 1983, "Avatar" were forced to change their name due to copyright issues. Combining the words "Savage" and "Avatar", the band arrived with Savatage. Savatage released their first two albums, Sirens in 1983 and The Dungeons are Calling in 1985, again on Par Records, exhibiting a variety of musical styles. 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Keith Collins is an English stand-up comedian and the stage name of college professor and author Dr. Keith Pepperell . ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Savatage is a heavy metal/progressive metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979. ... In Greek mythology, the Sirens or Seirenes (Greek Σειρῆνας) were sea nymphs who lived on an island called Sirenum scopuli which was surrounded by cliffs and rocks. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Dungeons are Calling is an album by Savatage, released in 1984 on Metal Blade Records Tracklist The Dungeons Are Calling By the Grace of the Witch Visions Midas Knight City Beneath the Surface The Whip ... This article is about the year. ...

In 1986, Criss married Dawn Hopkins, his girlfriend since his time in middle school at Philippe Park near Safety Harbor, FL. Meanwhile, Savatage continued to flourish, releasing 6 further albums after signing with Atlantic Records in 1985. This was considered the "Golden Age" of Savatage, particularly when the band collaborated with producer Paul O'Neill for the first time in 1987's Hall of the Mountain King. Criss's unique playing style won him many fans, including Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, with whom Savatage toured in 1987 in support of Hall of the Mountain King. When Mustaine was left without a guitarist in 1989 after the departure of Jeff Young, Criss was one of the first guitarists he asked to fill the vacant position. Criss declined the offer and continued with his brother and Savatage. That role of the second guitarist in Megadeth eventually went to Marty Friedman. Savatage continued with the release of Gutter Ballet in 1989, which Jon Oliva wrote some parts of whilst recovering in rehab. 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Safety Harbor is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label that operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... This article is about the year. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hall of the Mountain King is an album by the Progressive Metal group Savatage, released in 1987 under the direction of Paul ONeill. ... David Scott Mustaine (born September 13, 1961 in La Mesa, California, United States) is a heavy metal guitarist, songwriter, and singer. ... Megadeth is an American speed/heavy/thrash metal band led by Dave Mustaine. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Marty Friedman Martin Adam Friedman (born December 8, 1962 in Washington, D.C.) has become recognized worldwide as a guitarist and composer of consummate skill and a unique style of playing that is instantly recognizable. ... Gutter Ballet is the second album produced by the progressive metal band Savatage under the direction of producer Paul ONeill, and the bands sixth album overall. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Most famous for his time as frontman and vocalist to the band Savatage, Jon Oliva has also composed music for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra headed up the 1993 project Dr. Butcher and his own 2005 album Jon Olivas Pain. ...

Savatage toured relentlessly, with Criss winning critical acclaim. His biggest dream was for Savatage's 1991 album Streets: A Rock Opera to achieve platinum status. Streets was Savatage's biggest mainstream success, and Criss enjoyed the exploitation the record gave the band, allowing new fans to be found for their music. Savatage was rocked however by the sudden departures of Jon Oliva and Steve "Doc" Wacholz in 1992 and 1993 respectively. Replacements were eventually chosen in Zachary "Zak" Stevens for Jon on lead vocals and Jeff Plate for Doc on drums, and Savatage continued, releasing Edge of Thorns in 1993. The front cover of Edge of Thorns is a painting by artist Gary Smith of Criss's wife, Dawn. The face in the trees is supposed to be Jon Oliva, though producer Paul O'Neill disputes that despite it's publication in a Criss Oliva interview from 1993. Gary was also responsible for all of Criss's airbrushed guitars. 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Streets: A Rock Opera is a concept album by Savatage, dealing with the rise and fall of the musician D.T. Jesus. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... Jeff Plate(born March 26, 1962, in Horseheads, New York), is a professional drummer and percussionist. ... Edge of Thorns is an album by Savatage, released in 1993 on Atlantic Records. ...

His death

On October 17, 1993, at around 3:30a.m., Criss and his wife Dawn were driving north on Highway 301 on his way to the Fourth Annual Livestock Festival held in Zephyrhills, Florida, just north of Tampa. An oncoming car crossed the median and struck Criss' 1982 Mazda RX-7 head-on, killing him instantly^[1]. His wife Dawn was rushed to Tampa General Hospital with internal injuries of the head and abdomen, fractured skull, back, right wrist, and lower left leg. Dawn underwent reconstructive surgery and was traumatized emotionally by the loss of her beloved husband. The driver of the car that struck Criss's car was found to have a record of drunk driving^[2] and said to have a blood alcohol level of .294^[3] (the legal limit in Florida is .08^[4]). October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... Zephyrhills is a city located in Pasco County, Florida. ... Blood alcohol content (BAC) or blood alcohol concentration is the concentration of alcohol in blood. ...

Criss's grave can be seen at Curlew Memorial Gardens which is two miles north of Clearwater just off of US 19 on Curlew Rd. On October 17 every year, it is the site of much grief from many Savatage fans, remembering the great life that was lost on that day in 1993. A special memorial concert took place on November 23, 1993 with the surviving members of Savatage, including elder brother Jon, who returned for one night only, performing a special set. No guitarist played with the band that night, instead opting to leave a white strat with roses going up the neck which resembled the back cover of the 'Streets' album in the spot were Criss used to stand. The loss of their lead guitarist nearly signaled the end of Savatage, but during the earlier years, the Oliva brothers made an agreement that if one of them were to pass away, the other should continue the band in memory of the other (although some ex-members of the band contest that story). Subsequently, Jon chose to continue the band. November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

When asked for a comment about Criss, his father said "He lived for that guitar" referring to his love of the guitar. "I would go over to his home for a visit and no matter what he was doing, on the phone, eating dinner, Criss would always have a guitar in his hands."

Dawn Oliva died on January 10, 2005^[5]. January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

1. ^ Tony Green, "Associates mourn Savatage star", St. Petersburg Times (Florida), October 19, 1993, p. 6B
2. ^ Mike Mahan, "Driver gets five years in musician's death", St. Petersburg Times (Florida), September 17, 1994, p. 1B
3. ^ Chris Oliva biography
4. ^ Florida driver license information
5. ^ "Obituaries", The Tampa Tribune (Florida), January 14, 2005, p. 4

See also

Savatage for a discography Savatage is a heavy metal/progressive metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979. ...