Rock/Heavy Metal Musician. Oliva was the guitarist and a founding member of the rock music group, 'Savatage.' The band originally known as 'Avatar,' was formed in Florida in 1978, by Oliva and his brother Jon Oliva. The group who changed there name in 1983 to 'Savatage,' later included other members including Zachary Stevens, Jeff Plate, Chris Caffery, Steve Wacholz, Alex Skolnick (he replaced Criss), Keith Collins, Al Pitreli, and Johnny Lee Middleton. The group who were known for there style of melodic rock, dramatic balladry, and operatic concepts, released several albums including "The Dungeons Are Calling" in 1985, "Power Of The Night" in 1985, "Gutter Ballet" in 1990, "Streets: A Rock Opera" in 1991, "Dead Winter Dead" in 1995, "The Wake Of Magellan" (1998), "The Final Bell" in 2000, and "Poets And Madmen" in 2001, (the last four albums were released after Oliva's death). On October 17, 1993, Criss Oliva was killed at the age of 30, in a tragic car accident involving a drunk driver. After his death he was replaced by Alex Skolnick, who had previously been the guitarist for the group, 'Testament.' The group has continued there success and is still together today despite the loss of Criss Oliva. Some of the groups' recordings with Criss include, 'Ghost In The Ruins,' 'New York City Don't Mean Nothing,' 'Jesus Saves,' 'A Little Too Far,' 'Sirens,' 'Fighting For Your Love,' 'Midas Knight,' 'By The Grace Of The Witch,' and 'The Whip.'
Rock/Heavy Metal Musician. Oliva was the guitarist and a founding member of the rock music group, 'Savatage.' The band originally known as 'Avatar,' was formed in Florida in 1978, by Oliva and his brother Jon Oliva. The group who changed there name in 1983 to 'Savatage,' later included other members including Zachary Stevens, Jeff Plate, Chris Caffery, Steve Wacholz, Alex Skolnick (he replaced Criss), Keith Collins, Al Pitreli, and Johnny Lee Middleton. The group who were known for there style of melodic rock, dramatic balladry, and operatic concepts, released several albums including "The Dungeons Are Calling" in 1985, "Power Of The Night" in 1985, "Gutter Ballet" in 1990, "Streets: A Rock Opera" in 1991, "Dead Winter Dead" in 1995, "The Wake Of Magellan" (1998), "The Final Bell" in 2000, and "Poets And Madmen" in 2001, (the last four albums were released after Oliva's death). On October 17, 1993, Criss Oliva was killed at the age of 30, in a tragic car accident involving a drunk driver. After his death he was replaced by Alex Skolnick, who had previously been the guitarist for the group, 'Testament.' The group has continued there success and is still together today despite the loss of Criss Oliva. Some of the groups' recordings with Criss include, 'Ghost In The Ruins,' 'New York City Don't Mean Nothing,' 'Jesus Saves,' 'A Little Too Far,' 'Sirens,' 'Fighting For Your Love,' 'Midas Knight,' 'By The Grace Of The Witch,' and 'The Whip.'
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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