12 Facts About Criss Oliva

Christopher Michael Oliva was an American musician who was the lead guitarist and co-founder of the heavy metal band Savatage.

Criss Oliva's family moved around the country during his childhood, stopping off in California before making Florida their home.

Criss Oliva 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.

Criss Oliva was a trailblazer in metal guitar the way Randy Rhoads was before him.

Criss Oliva was one of the greatest guitar players of the world and he taught me everything I knew.

In 1984, Criss Oliva married Dawn Marae Hoppert, his girlfriend since his time in middle school at Philippe Park near Safety Harbor, FL.

Criss Oliva'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.

Streets was Savatage's biggest mainstream success, and Criss Oliva enjoyed the exposure the record gave the band, allowing new fans to be found for their music.

On Handful of Rain, Criss Oliva had contributed to writing on two of its songs before his passing, namely "Taunting Cobras" and "Nothing's Going On".

Criss Oliva's favorite guitar was an ESP that later had a Jackson logo airbrushed on the headstock, with a maple fretboard, reversed headstock, a Bartolini single coil and humbucker pickup, and a transparent blue finish and a gargoyle painted on it, called the "Gargoyle Guitar".

The loss of their lead guitarist nearly signaled the end of Savatage, but during the earlier years the Criss 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.

Criss Oliva was the youngest of four children, the next eldest being brother Jon, with whom he formed Savatage.