33 Facts About Chris Caffery

Christopher Caffery was born on September 9,1967 and is an American heavy metal guitarist, best known for his work as a member of Savatage and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Chris Caffery has cited guitarists such as Ted Nugent, Rik Emmett, Ace Frehley, Randy Rhoads, Michael Schenker as influences throughout the years as well.

Chris Caffery was part of a band called "Blitzkrieg" in middle school and played a few shows, the first of which was at a bar in Ridgewood, New Jersey when Caffery was only 13.

Chris Caffery graduated from Goshen Central High School in 1984 and went on to become a professional musician, teaching students during the day and playing shows in the night.

Chris Caffery recorded his first demo tape at age 14 and his second at 17, which got him his first national gig.

Chris Caffery was in New York City one night, hanging around in a club in the middle of Times Square, when he met the lead singer of a band called Heaven named Allan Fryar.

The band was managed by David Krebs and a certain Paul O'Neill, who Chris Caffery would maintain close ties for most of his career.

Chris Caffery was given the opportunity to perform, played 2 songs before the band stopped and hired him on the spot.

The band went on tour, but Chris Caffery was kept on the side of the stage, hidden from the audience.

Chris Caffery was only 20 years old and playing arenas and was happy, but miserable.

Chris Caffery bounced between bands for a couple of years until he came into contact with the Oliva brothers once more.

Chris Caffery agreed to join Savatage, but the road took its toll on the band.

Chris Caffery was contacted to perform on Savatage's Streets tour, but issues meant this did not happen.

Chris Caffery called Jon, who invited him to Florida, and over "10 bottles of Jack Daniels", their project Doctor Butcher was born.

Chris Caffery was again asked to re-join the band, but, he stayed loyal to Jon and Butcher.

Chris Caffery went to work with friend Ray Gillen of Badlands fame, but Gillen died shortly after the project began.

Chris Caffery was asked for the fourth time to join Savatage, but Atlantic Records suggested Alex Skolnick join the band instead.

Jon agreed, and Chris Caffery was joined by Al Pitrelli, a good friend of his from New York.

Chris Caffery was featured on tribute CDs for Guns N' Roses, Accept and Iron Maiden.

Chris Caffery considers himself the "ring leader" of TSO East when they tour, and he enjoys performing live with the ensemble.

In 1999, Chris Caffery was a member of the German band Metalium.

Chris Caffery is featured on their album Millennium Metal: Chapter One, but left after the album and the following tours.

Chris Caffery was left as the only guitarist in Savatage and Jon Oliva took up lead vocal duties for the first time in ten years.

Chris Caffery played the lead parts with Jack Frost playing the rhythm parts on a short tour with Fates Warning and Judas Priest in support of 2001's Poets and Madmen.

Since the release of Savatage's most recent CD, Chris Caffery has recorded on releases records of Savatage alumni, including Zak Stevens's Circle II Circle and on Jon Oliva's Pain records.

Chris Caffery himself released solo EPs and albums in 2004 and 2005, with a follow-up full-length album, Pins and Needles released in 2007.

Chris Caffery is worked on TSO's new album Night Castle, released on October 27,2009.

Musically Chris Caffery recorded on several releases as a guest musician.

Chris Caffery toured as the guitarist for the legendary German Metal vocalist Doro as well as a solo tour supporting Heaven and Hell with Tim "Ripper" Owens' band in Europe.

Chris Caffery co-wrote and played the guitars on the song "The Shadows Are Alive" on Tim's first solo release entitled "Play my Game".

Chris Caffery starred as a guest on two episodes of his national TV show.

Chris Caffery is currently writing new material for an upcoming solo release, with songs co-written with Jon Oliva as well as several other musical projects.

In 2016, Chris Caffery played lead guitar with thrash metal band Metal Church, as a touring substitute for regular guitarist, Rick Van Zant, and playing alongside his Savatage bandmate Jeff Plate.