SAVATAGE: CRISS OLIVA Guitar Effects Unit Being Auctioned

September 24, 2009

An Ibanez DM1100 guitar effects unit that once belonged to late SAVATAGE guitarist Criss Oliva is being auctioned via eBay.

A description of the item reads as follows: "The unit has been thoroughly tested and it works perfectly but shows obvious wear from being on many SAVATAGE world tours. It's missing two knobs, the feedback knob is broke off but they can be turned. This delay unit is one of the keys to unlocking Criss' tone."

For more information and to place a bid, go to this location.

Last October marked the 15th anniversary of the passing of Criss Oliva. To honor his memory, the Greek edition of Rock Hard magazine published a special five-page article featuring interviews with about Criss conducted exclusively for this story.

A translated version of the article can now be found on the Savatage Legion (Greece) MySpace page.

The following people were interviewed for the article:

* Steve "Dr. Killdrums" Wacholz (original SAVATAGE drummer)
* Paul O'Neill (longtime SAVATAGE and TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA producer and co-writer)
* Chris Caffery (guitars, SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA)
* Johnny Lee Middletton (bass, SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA)
* Zak Stevens (vocals, SAVATAGE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE)
* Alex Skolnick (guitars, TESTAMENT, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, replaced Criss Oliva on "Handful of Rain" album)
* John Zahner (keyboards, JON OLIVA'S PAIN, also SAVATAGE touring member for the "Streets" tour)

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/rockhardgreece.

In the early morning hours of October 17, 1993 Criss Oliva and his wife Dawn were en route to the Livestock Festival in Zephyrhills, Florida when tragedy struck. They were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Criss was killed and Dawn suffered severe injuries.

The driver of the other car was found to have a drunk driving record of seven prior DUIs and having a blood alcohol content of .294 percent (legal Florida limit is .10 percent) and sustained fractured left ribs, jaw, nose, right wrist, and both lower legs with lacerations to his face, legs and right hand, according to RealSavatage.com. The drunk driver was charged and convicted of DUI manslaughter, DUI serious injury, and vehicular homicide but served only 18 months jail time and had his driver's license revoked indefinitely. He was also ordered to write the Oliva family an apology letter and was said to be paying restitution of $100 a month to Dawn Oliva.

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