The guitar playing of Criss Oliva was surely at the level of a virtuoso. But, what i appreciate the most about his guitar playing is that his solos helped each song of savatage to achieve an operatic effect.
Fun fact Gutter Ballet solo was recorded around 5:30AM in one take never rehearsed before. Also he is one of the best legato players ever played the guitar.
Criss Oliva was without a doubt one of the best / greatest metal guitarist of all time ever !!! I saw them live like 5 friggin time's and every time they brought it and tore the house down Everytime the original lineup Oliva and Oliva , Middleton and wacholz !!!
Luckily I was able to see them on the edge of thorns tour. He literally inspired a lot of my guitar techniques (sadly not my leads because I suck at lead)
Thanks....its a memory and a life time experience being around him and Jon, and Tony..and whole family..and Truly to this very day, I do miss and would like to Repeat,,-Only With out the Tragity That happened to CRISS Olivia -but broke up the band....and the special relationship Jon and his forever brother criss.. They was inseparable,,,In Life... I miss criss very much and will continue to provide his legacy...to my lasting days that I have.!!!! (Thanks for your courteous comment..!!
I truly miss criss as a pioneer of super guitar.. And as my friend in high school. And my nieghbor when they practicing at the rat shed behind Tony Olivia's n Lauries house....i miss it ....and never forget it,,,,,,,it's ALLWAYS like yesterday....(it will never end in my mind or my heart..!!
I'm glad there are other people who recognize how disgracefully overlooked Chris Oliva is and have a platform to showcase his abilities! He is EASILY able to stand with the recognized elites and yet only a few of us call it out! Great video! 🤘🤘
I remember hearing SAVATAGE on the radio a few times during Saturday night Metal Shop, then I scored their "Gutter Ballet" cassette from a pawn shop, and I was sure hooked. Criss Oliva's writing and playing style was phenomenal. Here we are in 2023, and his music still holds it's amazing listening power that it has always had.... and this is coming from a drummer! My heart has always gone out to Jon, and of course Dawn.
@@Metallian81criss had been in the studio the whole day and when he got him in the early hours of the morning...Dawn just had to go to a metal festival that was almost finished. word is it was to go score drugs....hope I'm wrong but I heard stories from Savas crew
Yes...... One of the best... Meaning#1 out of 1 ..I saw him and Jon go from...zero to heroes.... Jon sold me my first foot peddle fuzz box. As he was walking out of palm harbor music...for$30...back in 1983.ish. Wow..what a memory.!!!
So glad I got to see them while he was still with us. Actually at a small club in South Jersey called Bonnie's Roxx on the Streets tour. I was only 16 years old and was blown away. Criss was an incredible player, and a favorite of mine to this day.
I'm glad you as I have had the massive privilege of knowing and experienced Chris's never-ending love of rock and love all around him.. including his brother Jon..in knowing that he misses dearly...
I loved Savatage as well as Criss as a player/artist. I’ve seen them live’ several times over the years , every show was a real pleasure. After Criss passed , I had the honor to be asked asked to audition for Savatage , which blew me away. Jon , was very kind and supportive when we spoke. I didn’t get the gig which went to someone with more of a “name “ than I but I didn’t think he was the right fit for the band, which he wasn’t in the end. Eventually , my pal Chris Caffrey became their guitarist , which I thought was awesome ! Chris is killer guitarist in so many ways 🤟🏼and a perfect fit as well
😮 I was literally at that Detroit show! It was at Harpo's and I lost my truck keys during the show! By the time I drove home, got my extra set and drove back my truck had every window broken out. I had to drive 2 hours home in January in Michigan freezing. I still would have done it all over again because it was one of the best shows I've seen. Live they are amazing. Literally my favorite band of that time.
It was 1992 when I first heard the sound of Savatage. What caught my attention is the unique guitar playing and its tone. I consider Criss Oliva as one of the Gods of guitars!!!
For so many guitarists, all their solos kinda sound the same. For Criss, every solo was different and distinct, a trademark and integral element of each song. One of many reasons why I never get tired of listening to him play.
Never heard of this gentleman, but it makes me very happy to see someone is so passionate about music and virtuoso electric guitar playing in particular. That we undoubtedly share, it's my very favourite thing in the whole wide world! :)
Criss was the master of minor/phrygian scale legato playing. I have been using his tricks to impress people for 30 years now. It still works. For me he was an even bigger influence than the other masters of his time (Moore/Malmsteen/Vai/Satriani/Beach/Vandenberg/Norum/Becker etc.). Buti don't think he is underestimated. He didn't care too much for precision. It didn't matter to him if it was 17-notes-a-beat on one beat and 14-notes-a-beat on the next. It was more about feeling. So his speed runs were quite anarchic, compared to the sextuplet runs of todays shredders. But his feeling never failed him. His picking hand was a little sloppy too, which is typical for legato specialists. That was his style, and his solos are still among the sweetest of all time, and i love to play them, especially the ones in "hounds" and "summer's rain"...
He had it all, The haunting tone, just the most tasteful leads/runs/scales and he could flat out shred. Not to mention he had the look. I was in Vegas when Sad Wings was on the radio on the way to my landscaping job. Sitting here listening to his leads, so many tricks in one bag. Fucking smooth, fast and precise. Incredible. Like Rhoads and Bettencourt virtuosity. But Chris Olivia had his own voice, on the cutting edge. RIP Savatage put on a helluva show. Great band.
Thanks for this, some of these photos of Criss id never seen before. My gratitude can't be expressed enough. I miss him so much. Made me cry looking at some of them. Stay strong warriors(of the world)
I believe he was the most unappreciated guitarist ever!! Cris was a jewel when it came to guitar playing!! He is still one of my favorites for sure!! RIP Cris! Love all you guys in Savatage!! Jon is the greatest metal singer ever too!!😁❤️🤘🤘🤘🤘✌️✌️
The nostalgia bug hit me and I'm so glad to have found his video. Criss was flawless in both technique and composition. His effortless precision legato sent me into another world the first time I heard "Legions" - I think that was my first exposure to Savatage. Fave story was Jon giving up as guitarist when he realized he'd never be as good as Criss once his younger brother got old enough to shred.
Cris Oliva is the genius of Hard Rock. There's no need to even argue. 😢 he had left hard rock as an orphan at a young age. R.I.P. The Genius of Hard Rock
I've said in many videos this is one of the most underrated bands of all time Criss is an amazing guitar player and Jon's vocals just tops it off perfectly
My personal favorite solos, are... Jesus Saves Ghost in the Ruins Edge of Thorns Hall of the Mountain King Summer's Rain Temptation Revelation Believe Can You Hear Me Now Gutter Ballet When the Crowds are Gone Power of the Night Criss is in my top 3 favorite guitarists and influences. R.I.P. Criss I'm still gutted we lost him because of some PoS repeat offender drunk driver. I'm looking forward to the new Savatage album next year. In case anyone didn't know, Jon's working on a new album, he plans on recording enough for the album plus many more in case he feels like releasing more. It seems he may be done after that. He's lost too many loved ones, both band members, and family. Jon's had horrible luck in that regard.
Definitely one of my all time favorite guitarists..I remember hearing the Dungeons are Calling and several other songs and had to know what band and guitar player this was..yep it was Savatage and Criss Oliva.. then it was the Power of the Night album and hearing I believe and that solo and just blew me away. Great job here amd Thank you for this.
I dont even know what he's doing it's just pure talent and skill dude was awesome! His riffs and melodies are amazing too and the solos always compliment the compositions perfectly; perfection. I acuired an original Hall of the Mountain King cd and it is the jewel of the CD shelf sheer genius!
The whole Edge of Thorns album is a clinic for how to play virtuoso lead guitar in a commercial rock setting, and it may not even be the best album of the 8 that he played on. I would have to give Streets… the nod as the overall best. Criss was somehow actually still improving at the time of the accident. Makes it all the more heartbreaking.
Nice choices you made. It's nice to hear the amazing music and playing of Criss Oliva! I like the choices and nice touch with the live stuff. I was pretty fortunate to have seen him a lot of times since '88. I only wish your list was longer! He has so many solos that are just amazing. The one that I just can't leave like this.... Album "Power of the Night", solo in the song, "Warriors"! That solo would stand alone in my book. Enough said!
The term I think of when I think of Cris playing is magical. Watching his fingers up close it's like his hands were just made for that. I was fortunate enough to be friends with him from highschool on.. he would show new riffs in the chicken coop...
Definitely one of my favorite 80s guitarist. Great style and chops. I was fortunate enough to see him play on the Power of the Night and Gutter Ballet tours. His picking technique was very unique.
Simply the best from all the rest his style is unique and different they only come around once in a life time just like cliff burton, randy rhoads, etc. At this case Criss oliva is number one the reason I know because I witnessed this great guitar player live on stage
The style,tone,feel,sound, of criss his soooooo freaking sexy one of my all time favorite players wish i whould of had the chance to see him live , sonfor those who got that chance be gratefull to have seen one of the best
Man, you put together a pretty good list here. Love that you included some live stuff as well. Part of the way through the video I kept thinking "man, what about this solo, or that solo?!" And I realized the fact that no matter what kind of a list you put together, someone will always say "but you missed this one!" And I realized that is even more of a testament to how awesome Criss was. Cause unless you put down every single solo on every song it would feel like something was missing lol. Another thing I really love about Criss's playing, is that he has some bad ass rhythm stuff as well. One of my favorite riffs of his has got to be the unholy from gutter ballet. Anyways, rock on bro, and thanks for getting some excellent guitar stuck in my head tonight. Where most things that get stuck in my head can be obnoxious, Savatage is always welcome to stay locked in my head as long as it'll stay... Mentally mine? Lol
I just recently found out Jon lost his wife and stepson in recent years. Add in Criss, Dawn, Paul O'Niel, and Matt LaPorte, he's lost so many people over the years. I mean, who hasn't, but Savatage has had a tragic career. I wish it didn't go down like it did.
Thanks Metal Overkill, had all this Savatage stuff on record and cd, definitely a monster on the fretboard, awesome sense of melody, gonna get it all back now, my collection burnt up in the Camp Fire in Nor Cal in 2018🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Ha dare you say "unknown" to a true og metal head . SAVATAGE what a band John and Chris Olivia , ❤Love these guys ! Thanks for sharing 🤘🏻 Sad Chris passed so young RIP Chris Olivia . 🤘🏻🇬🇧🇮🇱🇺🇦🇨🇦🇺🇲💀🏁🏴☠️
I met Chris Oliva when Savatage opened for Dio on the Dream Evil Tour, January 23, 1988 at the Fairgrounds Arena in Birmingham Alabama. Super cool dude, hella good guitar player.
criss was and always will be a fucking monster guitar player a major influence on my playing since the 80s one of the greats and virtually forgotten by the world but not by the legions of the mountain king
Not underappreciated by me. He's in my top 3. Such a sad loss. He was very young. I can only imagine where his playing would have gone. He and John are musical geniuses, and amazing players...💚🎸
One of my favorite guitarist ! I actually liked him better in his earlier albums when he was more raw energy and not as technical ! He is definitely under appreciated
You know what? Although that Criss Oliva learned to play guitar by himself and reached this level of dexterity and mastery of guitar playing, there was a time when i suspected that he might have taken lesson from Joe Satriani because he was so good!
Learning classical guitar myself I know what proper hand technique a guitarist should have and criss has all of it. Me and my teacher spend months learning these techniques and it’s unbelievable how Criss was able to figure it out all by himself
well there was a time when I was in Ft Lauderdale and Met Jon(At a Friend'sHouse/Fellow Rock and Huge Misfit's Fan), It was Criss(Criss would literally lock the door to the room)upstairs playing the guitar. When I Begged to meet him,Jon said leave him alone,He loves that Guitar and Music more than You'll ever know.When I persisted,Jon got angry,and my friend asked me to leave. Criss was Self Taught, And Jon was VERY protective of Criss. I wished I shut my mouth that day. My Dad played Guitar for 40 yrs,and a musician theorist,Hence why I wanted to hear Criss play the guitar He WAS WAY BEYOND George Lynch,and Rhandy Rhoades. Nobody taught him but his own Ear and Heart,Soul,and the profound Love of music.
Regardless of technique and speed, his melodies are unbeatable. Believe @ 20:50 is a great example of a simple lick, but full of feeling and expression.
Check out Part 2!
ruclips.net/video/jg3s6ukJsO8/видео.html
I was at the Detroit show! Harpo's in Detroit
The guitar playing of Criss Oliva was surely at the level of a virtuoso. But, what i appreciate the most about his guitar playing is that his solos helped each song of savatage to achieve an operatic effect.
❤
Tone,melody, technicality and speed criss had it all and he always made sure the solo enhanced the song and wasn't just mindless widdling.
Fun fact Gutter Ballet solo was recorded around 5:30AM in one take never rehearsed before. Also he is one of the best legato players ever played the guitar.
His legato should be talked more often. It's a true art, just like Hetfield's downpicking, and always in taste.
Criss Oliva was without a doubt one of the best / greatest metal guitarist of all time ever !!! I saw them live like 5 friggin time's and every time they brought it and tore the house down Everytime the original lineup Oliva and Oliva , Middleton and wacholz !!!
Luckily I was able to see them on the edge of thorns tour. He literally inspired a lot of my guitar techniques (sadly not my leads because I suck at lead)
Never forgotten, a maestro! Sure in heaven the orchestra still plays...
Thanks....its a memory and a life time experience being around him and Jon, and Tony..and whole family..and Truly to this very day, I do miss and would like to Repeat,,-Only With out the Tragity That happened to CRISS Olivia -but broke up the band....and the special relationship Jon and his forever brother criss.. They was inseparable,,,In Life... I miss criss very much and will continue to provide his legacy...to my lasting days that I have.!!!! (Thanks for your courteous comment..!!
I truly miss criss as a pioneer of super guitar.. And as my friend in high school. And my nieghbor when they practicing at the rat shed behind Tony Olivia's n Lauries house....i miss it ....and never forget it,,,,,,,it's ALLWAYS like yesterday....(it will never end in my mind or my heart..!!
I'm sure I ran into you there.. Daggett
The Mount Rushmore of guitarists (to me): Schenker, Blackmore, Criss, and Uli.
Your taste is beyond reproach. 🤘🏼
Will add Randy rhoads to the list and both Helloween guitarists too
Criss was one of those guitarists who had an instantly recognizable guitar tone, like the second he'd play any note you'd know it was him playing.
I'm glad there are other people who recognize how disgracefully overlooked Chris Oliva is and have a platform to showcase his abilities! He is EASILY able to stand with the recognized elites and yet only a few of us call it out! Great video! 🤘🤘
I couldn't have put it better 🤘🤘
No matter how appreciated he is, even if he's known as the best guitarist of all time, it's still underappreciated
I remember hearing SAVATAGE on the radio a few times during Saturday night Metal Shop, then I scored their "Gutter Ballet" cassette from a pawn shop, and I was sure hooked. Criss Oliva's writing and playing style was phenomenal. Here we are in 2023, and his music still holds it's amazing listening power that it has always had.... and this is coming from a drummer! My heart has always gone out to Jon, and of course Dawn.
You are so right as right can be......
Tx to Dawn?...because of her Criss was killed. F... her
@@richardgardiner6468
Maybe I'm missing something, but how was it Dawn's fault some PoS multiple repeat offender drunk driver killed Criss?
@@Metallian81criss had been in the studio the whole day and when he got him in the early hours of the morning...Dawn just had to go to a metal festival that was almost finished. word is it was to go score drugs....hope I'm wrong but I heard stories from Savas crew
M m m metalll shoppp.
My son did a speech about Savatage in school. He was born after Criss died. Torch passed.
R.I.P CRISS OLIVA ONE OF THE BEST
Yes...... One of the best... Meaning#1 out of 1 ..I saw him and Jon go from...zero to heroes.... Jon sold me my first foot peddle fuzz box. As he was walking out of palm harbor music...for$30...back in 1983.ish. Wow..what a memory.!!!
You are so right.
Chriss the most unrated and most talented guitarist i ever heard 😍🎸🎸🎸
Exatamente concordo contigo! Isso é um fenômeno estranhamente inexplicável.
So glad I got to see them while he was still with us. Actually at a small club in South Jersey called Bonnie's Roxx on the Streets tour. I was only 16 years old and was blown away. Criss was an incredible player, and a favorite of mine to this day.
I'm glad you as I have had the massive privilege of knowing and experienced Chris's never-ending love of rock and love all around him.. including his brother Jon..in knowing that he misses dearly...
My biggest concert regrets was not seeing Savatage live with Criss.
Followed by somehow never seeing Dio live either.
I loved Savatage as well as Criss as a player/artist. I’ve seen them live’ several times over the years , every show was a real pleasure. After Criss passed , I had the honor to be asked asked to audition for Savatage , which blew me away. Jon , was very kind and supportive when we spoke. I didn’t get the gig which went to someone with more of a “name “ than I but I didn’t think he was the right fit for the band, which he wasn’t in the end. Eventually , my pal Chris Caffrey became their guitarist , which I thought was awesome ! Chris is killer guitarist in so many ways 🤟🏼and a perfect fit as well
😮 I was literally at that Detroit show! It was at Harpo's and I lost my truck keys during the show! By the time I drove home, got my extra set and drove back my truck had every window broken out. I had to drive 2 hours home in January in Michigan freezing. I still would have done it all over again because it was one of the best shows I've seen. Live they are amazing. Literally my favorite band of that time.
He's like an amalgamation of Randy and George.
More like Randy and Michael Schenker.
I actually think he is better than both. Just didn't have the luck and probably wasn't in the best band to be recognized in.
@@AyBi_Studioconcordo plenamente contigo.
Someone needs to ask Lynch about Oliva.
@@AyBi_Studio He wasn't better than Randy Rhoads. Sorry. Faster maybe, but not better musically. The first 2 Ozzy solo records are masterpieces.
It was 1992 when I first heard the sound of Savatage. What caught my attention is the unique guitar playing and its tone. I consider Criss Oliva as one of the Gods of guitars!!!
For so many guitarists, all their solos kinda sound the same. For Criss, every solo was different and distinct, a trademark and integral element of each song. One of many reasons why I never get tired of listening to him play.
Criss was truly a gifted player and a master of his craft! Gone way too soon....RIP Criss
Thee greatest, speed with melody like no other. Ghost in the ruins ranks at the top.
He was actually way underrated and for that Era with the talent that was out he was better than them all.
Dude this dude here is truly a lost Great
The BEST.. Cant believe its been 30years since he was taken from us😢😢
Love to hear the live recordings. Goes to show everyone that it was not studio magic, he was THAT good!
Never heard of this gentleman, but it makes me very happy to see someone is so passionate about music and virtuoso electric guitar playing in particular. That we undoubtedly share, it's my very favourite thing in the whole wide world! :)
If you know of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, look up their connection to Savatage.
Legions solo its just crazy as all of his solos, i love him so much
Criss was the master of minor/phrygian scale legato playing. I have been using his tricks to impress people for 30 years now. It still works. For me he was an even bigger influence than the other masters of his time (Moore/Malmsteen/Vai/Satriani/Beach/Vandenberg/Norum/Becker etc.). Buti don't think he is underestimated. He didn't care too much for precision. It didn't matter to him if it was 17-notes-a-beat on one beat and 14-notes-a-beat on the next. It was more about feeling. So his speed runs were quite anarchic, compared to the sextuplet runs of todays shredders. But his feeling never failed him. His picking hand was a little sloppy too, which is typical for legato specialists. That was his style, and his solos are still among the sweetest of all time, and i love to play them, especially the ones in "hounds" and "summer's rain"...
Picking hand was sloppy? Lol.. he is one of the most accurate players of all time.
He had it all, The haunting tone, just the most tasteful leads/runs/scales and he could flat out shred. Not to mention he had the look. I was in Vegas when Sad Wings was on the radio on the way to my landscaping job.
Sitting here listening to his leads, so many tricks in one bag. Fucking smooth, fast and precise. Incredible. Like Rhoads and Bettencourt virtuosity. But Chris Olivia had his own voice, on the cutting edge. RIP
Savatage put on a helluva show. Great band.
I think you mean Strange Wings. Sad Wings (of Destiny) is a Judas Priest album.
Thanks for this, some of these photos of Criss id never seen before. My gratitude can't be expressed enough. I miss him so much. Made me cry looking at some of them. Stay strong warriors(of the world)
Underground band earlier on, but he freaking rocked! I've always loved the way Criss played since I first heard of Savatage
summer rain - the best solo in the universe
goosebumps, everytime.
I believe he was the most unappreciated guitarist ever!! Cris was a jewel when it came to guitar playing!! He is still one of my favorites for sure!! RIP Cris! Love all you guys in Savatage!! Jon is the greatest metal singer ever too!!😁❤️🤘🤘🤘🤘✌️✌️
Power of the night, the song, he shines like no other studio song I´ve ever heard.
Chris was the best ever
*CRISS
The nostalgia bug hit me and I'm so glad to have found his video. Criss was flawless in both technique and composition. His effortless precision legato sent me into another world the first time I heard "Legions" - I think that was my first exposure to Savatage. Fave story was Jon giving up as guitarist when he realized he'd never be as good as Criss once his younger brother got old enough to shred.
Cris Oliva is the genius of Hard Rock. There's no need to even argue. 😢 he had left hard rock as an orphan at a young age. R.I.P. The Genius of Hard Rock
I've said in many videos this is one of the most underrated bands of all time Criss is an amazing guitar player and Jon's vocals just tops it off perfectly
I thought I should just mention I've been into Savatage since the first album I bought from them the dungeons are calling
I believe ghost in the ruins is his masterpiece. So much emotion coming out of that guitar!
Hung out with the Oliva brothers 4 different times in Phoenix and Tucson. Criss was truly a monster on guitar!!!
My personal favorite solos, are...
Jesus Saves
Ghost in the Ruins
Edge of Thorns
Hall of the Mountain King
Summer's Rain
Temptation Revelation
Believe
Can You Hear Me Now
Gutter Ballet
When the Crowds are Gone
Power of the Night
Criss is in my top 3 favorite guitarists and influences.
R.I.P. Criss
I'm still gutted we lost him because of some PoS repeat offender drunk driver.
I'm looking forward to the new Savatage album next year. In case anyone didn't know, Jon's working on a new album, he plans on recording enough for the album plus many more in case he feels like releasing more.
It seems he may be done after that. He's lost too many loved ones, both band members, and family. Jon's had horrible luck in that regard.
Happy!! Just Stumbled Upon This!!!!
Memories of jamming to gutter ballet in my car . Completely blown away by Chris s playing !
Definitely one of my all time favorite guitarists..I remember hearing the Dungeons are Calling and several other songs and had to know what band and guitar player this was..yep it was Savatage and Criss Oliva.. then it was the Power of the Night album and hearing I believe and that solo and just blew me away. Great job here amd Thank you for this.
Chriss and the mighty Tage will live forever in my heart!
*Criss. Don’t make him live forever with a misspelled name.
I dont even know what he's doing it's just pure talent and skill dude was awesome! His riffs and melodies are amazing too and the solos always compliment the compositions perfectly; perfection. I acuired an original Hall of the Mountain King cd and it is the jewel of the CD shelf sheer genius!
The whole Edge of Thorns album is a clinic for how to play virtuoso lead guitar in a commercial rock setting, and it may not even be the best album of the 8 that he played on. I would have to give Streets… the nod as the overall best. Criss was somehow actually still improving at the time of the accident. Makes it all the more heartbreaking.
Nice choices you made. It's nice to hear the amazing music and playing of Criss Oliva! I like the choices and nice touch with the live stuff. I was pretty fortunate to have seen him a lot of times since '88. I only wish your list was longer! He has so many solos that are just amazing. The one that I just can't leave like this.... Album "Power of the Night", solo in the song, "Warriors"! That solo would stand alone in my book. Enough said!
Never will there ever..ever..be the same as CRISS.!!!! , I miss him and Dawn.....----- I know Jon does as well.
It's just sad that we lost him so early one of my favorite axeman
The term I think of when I think of Cris playing is magical. Watching his fingers up close it's like his hands were just made for that. I was fortunate enough to be friends with him from highschool on.. he would show new riffs in the chicken coop...
Very well done,thx! I have two vids about his solos and another for his trademark riffs.I added some good stories as well.His legacy lives on🤘🏻
Definitely one of my favorite 80s guitarist. Great style and chops. I was fortunate enough to see him play on the Power of the Night and Gutter Ballet tours. His picking technique was very unique.
Simply the best
I wanted to be this guy when I was a kid! He is one of the guitar greats that came out of the 80's!!
Simply the best from all the rest his style is unique and different they only come around once in a life time just like cliff burton, randy rhoads, etc. At this case Criss oliva is number one the reason I know because I witnessed this great guitar player live on stage
He played with his hands and his soul ❤
I have listen almost every guitar player alive. And oliva has the heavenly touch. His tragic death must have detached that underrated veil.
The style,tone,feel,sound, of criss his soooooo freaking sexy one of my all time favorite players wish i whould of had the chance to see him live , sonfor those who got that chance be gratefull to have seen one of the best
Amazing leads and amazing creator of riffs.
Man, you put together a pretty good list here. Love that you included some live stuff as well.
Part of the way through the video I kept thinking "man, what about this solo, or that solo?!" And I realized the fact that no matter what kind of a list you put together, someone will always say "but you missed this one!" And I realized that is even more of a testament to how awesome Criss was. Cause unless you put down every single solo on every song it would feel like something was missing lol.
Another thing I really love about Criss's playing, is that he has some bad ass rhythm stuff as well. One of my favorite riffs of his has got to be the unholy from gutter ballet.
Anyways, rock on bro, and thanks for getting some excellent guitar stuck in my head tonight. Where most things that get stuck in my head can be obnoxious, Savatage is always welcome to stay locked in my head as long as it'll stay... Mentally mine? Lol
Hey there Brother \m/(>_
I just recently found out Jon lost his wife and stepson in recent years.
Add in Criss, Dawn, Paul O'Niel, and Matt LaPorte, he's lost so many people over the years.
I mean, who hasn't, but Savatage has had a tragic career. I wish it didn't go down like it did.
@Metallian81 OMG..this is definitely sad
One of a kind and when you heard the track popping on the radio 3/4'way thru the playing of guitar was defining you knew who it was !
Thanks Metal Overkill, had all this Savatage stuff on record and cd, definitely a monster on the fretboard, awesome sense of melody, gonna get it all back now, my collection burnt up in the Camp Fire in Nor Cal in 2018🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
seen Savatage many times in the Tampa, Clearwater area, their stomping grounds!!!
I miss Criss and Dawn so much! RIP ... My heart goes out to Jon, love him so much!
He was the rare technical monster with feel! ❤
Ha dare you say "unknown" to a true og metal head . SAVATAGE what a band John and Chris Olivia , ❤Love these guys ! Thanks for sharing 🤘🏻
Sad Chris passed so young RIP Chris Olivia . 🤘🏻🇬🇧🇮🇱🇺🇦🇨🇦🇺🇲💀🏁🏴☠️
Chris was a riff writing legend.
I met Chris Oliva when Savatage opened for Dio on the Dream Evil Tour, January 23, 1988 at the Fairgrounds Arena in Birmingham Alabama. Super cool dude, hella good guitar player.
I gotta admit, I was unaware of him. Wow! Bloody fantastic!
Absolutely right. Savatage always had killer guitar solos.
So did Savatage! 🤘🏼
Sorry that was spell check.
He was insane😮 legend.
Helll yes I was in Tampa Fl seen him 20 times play so bad ass
Great job putting this together..
criss was and always will be a fucking monster guitar player a major influence on my playing since the 80s one of the greats and virtually forgotten by the world but not by the legions of the mountain king
Damn. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of Rocky George.
He is my favorite guitarist
Great video! He was a monster player. Top 5 hard rock easily! Never understood why no one mentions him. Rick beato for instance, enough with EVH
I love Rick Beatos EVH videos but I do agree he should talk about Criss Oliva someday
@@metaloverkill6217 Agree! Love EVH as well but Oliva was up there.
@@metaloverkill6217Message him about it?
Not underappreciated by me. He's in my top 3. Such a sad loss. He was very young. I can only imagine where his playing would have gone. He and John are musical geniuses, and amazing players...💚🎸
Thank you for this.
Great player, talented guy. Such a shame he was taken from us at such a young age.
He was amazing!! April 93 lost my guitar hero.
Met Criss around the time my band Mercury opened for Vicious Rumors.
I was trying to open up for the amazing Savatage.
My favorite guitar player.
Vicious, not viscous. Jesus.
@@crusheverything4449 What are you talking about? Haha
@@thorpenator9148 - Haha.
@@crusheverything4449 haha
Chris was awesome. We seem to loose the Greats at a young age.
Everyone should know his name, and his work.
Like allways the best !!!!!!!!.
Great music. I wish i've discovered it some 30 years ago :(
Ooh, I heard an Akira Takasaki lick in one of the live solos!
One of my favorite guitarist ! I actually liked him better in his earlier albums when he was more raw energy and not as technical ! He is definitely under appreciated
One of the Best 🎸 players!
Those of us familiar with Savatage know Criss Oliva was Awesome back in the 80s!
Chris was the Best Hands down RIP
You know what? Although that Criss Oliva learned to play guitar by himself and reached this level of dexterity and mastery of guitar playing, there was a time when i suspected that he might have taken lesson from Joe Satriani because he was so good!
Learning classical guitar myself I know what proper hand technique a guitarist should have and criss has all of it. Me and my teacher spend months learning these techniques and it’s unbelievable how Criss was able to figure it out all by himself
well there was a time when I was in Ft Lauderdale and Met Jon(At a Friend'sHouse/Fellow Rock and Huge Misfit's Fan), It was Criss(Criss would literally lock the door to the room)upstairs playing the guitar. When I Begged to meet him,Jon said leave him alone,He loves that Guitar and Music more than You'll ever know.When I persisted,Jon got angry,and my friend asked me to leave. Criss was Self Taught, And Jon was VERY protective of Criss. I wished I shut my mouth that day. My Dad played Guitar for 40 yrs,and a musician theorist,Hence why I wanted to hear Criss play the guitar He WAS WAY BEYOND George Lynch,and Rhandy Rhoades. Nobody taught him but his own Ear and Heart,Soul,and the profound Love of music.
@@metaloverkill6217 He was really dedicated.
Yes I knew that....he was a master+ a invisible Innovator...of musical fantasies that most guitarist could only dream of persuing..!!!
Jon told me, “I swear to God, man, my brother was halfway decent the first time he touched a guitar.”
Genius.
Regardless of technique and speed, his melodies are unbeatable. Believe @ 20:50 is a great example of a simple lick, but full of feeling and expression.
MY GOD this guy should be such a bigger name.
🎸✨💫🖤🖤RIP Chriss. Thanks🤘😎
*Criss