Savatage have had ten official members since brothers Jon and Criss Oliva founded the band, first called Avatar, in Tarpon Springs, Florida, in 1979. The current line-up is Jon Oliva (vocals and keyboards, not touring), Zachary Stevens (lead vocals), Chris Caffery and Al Pitrelli (guitars), Johnny Lee Middleton (bass) and Jeff Plate (drums), the same six who played the band’s 2015 Wacken reunion and returned in 2023. The former members are guitarist Criss Oliva, who was killed in a car accident on October 17, 1993, drummer Steve “Doc” Wacholz, bassist Keith “Thumper” Collins and guitarist Alex Skolnick.
The band was inactive from 2002 to 2014 and on hiatus from 2015 to 2023 while its members worked in Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Here is every member, with roles and years as the band’s own member list gives them, followed by the touring musicians.
Jon Oliva – Lead and Backing Vocals, Keyboards (1978–1992, 1994–2002, 2014–2015, 2023–present)
Co-founder Jon Oliva was the original lead singer, has played keyboards since 1983 and has also covered guitar, bass and drums at various points. He returned as studio lead vocalist on Poets and Madmen (2001) and is a non-touring member of the current line-up.
Zachary Stevens – Lead Vocals (1992–2000, 2014–2015, 2023–present)
The former Wicked Witch singer was introduced to the band by Criss Oliva’s guitar technician Dan Campbell and sang on every release from Edge of Thorns (1993) except Poets and Madmen. He later co-founded Circle II Circle.
Chris Caffery – Guitar, Vocals (1987–1990, 1994–2002, 2014–2015, 2023–present); Keyboards (1987–1990)
Caffery joined as a touring second guitarist in 1987, left in 1990 and rejoined in 1994, and has been the band’s lead guitarist in every line-up since.
Al Pitrelli – Guitar, Backing Vocals (1995–1999, 2002, 2014–2015, 2023–present)
Pitrelli played on Dead Winter Dead (1995) and The Wake of Magellan (1997), returned for the 2002 tour and has been part of every reunion.
Johnny Lee Middleton – Bass, Backing Vocals (1986–2002, 2014–2015, 2023–present)
Middleton replaced Keith Collins in 1986 and has played on every release from Fight for the Rock (1986) onward except Handful of Rain (1994).
Jeff Plate – Drums (1994–2002, 2014–2015, 2023–present)
Plate joined in 1994 and has drummed on every release from Japan Live ’94 (1995).
Criss Oliva – Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals (1978–1993)
Co-founder and the band’s original guitarist, Criss Oliva played on every release from the City Beneath the Surface EP (1983) to Edge of Thorns (1993). He was killed in a car accident on October 17, 1993, six months after the album’s release; Jon Oliva and producer Paul O’Neill decided to continue the band.
Steve “Doc” Wacholz – Drums (1978, 1979–1993)
The original drummer, Wacholz played on all the albums through Edge of Thorns and decided not to tour in 1993, when Andy James replaced him on the road.
Keith “Thumper” Collins – Bass, Backing Vocals (1981–1985)
Collins played bass from the debut EP through Power of the Night (1985).
Alex Skolnick – Lead Guitar (1994)
Skolnick played lead guitar on Handful of Rain (1994) and Japan Live ’94.
Touring Musicians
- John Zahner – keyboards, rhythm guitar (1991–1992), joining after Caffery’s departure
- Wes Garren – keyboards (1993)
- Andy James – drums (1993)
- Damond Jiniya – lead vocals (2001–2002) and Jack Frost – guitar (2001–2002), touring replacements for Stevens and Pitrelli
- Jeff Waters – guitar (2002 summer tour)
- Bill Hudson – guitar and Vitalij Kuprij – keyboards (Wacken 2015; Kuprij died 2024)
- Paulo Cuevas and Shawn McNair – keyboards (2025–present)
- Blas Elias – drums (2026, filling in for Plate)
Producer and lyricist Paul O’Neill worked with the band on every album from Hall of the Mountain King (1987) to Poets and Madmen (2001) until his death in 2017.
Savatage Line-Up Changes at a Glance
- 1979–1981: The Oliva brothers form Avatar; Wacholz and Collins join.
- 1986–1987: Middleton replaces Collins; Caffery joins as second guitarist.
- 1992–1993: Stevens replaces Jon Oliva as lead singer; Criss Oliva dies in October 1993.
- 1994–1995: Skolnick, then Pitrelli and a returning Caffery on guitar; Plate on drums.
- 2002–2014: Band inactive.
- 2015 and 2023: The six-piece reunites at Wacken, then returns for good in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are the current members of Savatage? Jon Oliva, Zachary Stevens, Chris Caffery, Al Pitrelli, Johnny Lee Middleton and Jeff Plate.
- Who founded Savatage? Brothers Jon and Criss Oliva, in 1979.
- What happened to Criss Oliva? He was killed in a car accident on October 17, 1993.
- Is Savatage connected to Trans-Siberian Orchestra? Yes; the members largely moved into Trans-Siberian Orchestra during the band’s inactive years.
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