Age, Biography and Wiki

Criss Oliva (Christopher Michael Oliva) was born on 3 April, 1963 in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, U.S., is an American guitarist (1963–1993). Discover Criss Oliva's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 30 years old?

Popular As Christopher Michael Oliva
Occupation Musician
Age 30 years old
Zodiac Sign Aries
Born 3 April, 1963
Birthday 3 April
Birthplace Pompton Plains, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of death 17 October, 1993
Died Place Thonotosassa, Florida, U.S.
Nationality Jersey

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 3 April. He is a member of famous Musician with the age 30 years old group.

Criss Oliva Height, Weight & Measurements

At 30 years old, Criss Oliva height not available right now. We will update Criss Oliva's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Criss Oliva's Wife?

His wife is Dawn Hoppert (m. 1984–1993)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Dawn Hoppert (m. 1984–1993)
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Criss Oliva Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Criss Oliva worth at the age of 30 years old? Criss Oliva’s income source is mostly from being a successful Musician. He is from Jersey. We have estimated Criss Oliva's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Musician

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Timeline

1963

Christopher Michael Oliva (April 3, 1963 – October 17, 1993) was an American musician who was the lead guitarist and co-founder of the heavy metal band Savatage.

During his lifetime, he released seven studio albums and one EP with the band.

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

It was in California that Oliva found music and considered it his calling, and he continued his musical interests when he moved to Florida.

His main influences as a guitarist were Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker.

He 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.

This would later help him in his songwriting.

1970

With Steve, Criss and Jon played Tampa- (where they had moved with their family in the late-1970s) and Clearwater-area clubs for many years.

1978

Oliva and his brother Jon formed their first band together, Avatar, in 1978.

Their former bands were Tower and Alien, respectively.

1980

In 1980, the duo met up with Steve Wacholz and jammed in a shack behind the Oliva home that was dubbed "The Pit" by the band.

They also gave Steve a nickname that would follow him throughout his career: "Doctor Hardware Killdrums", often shortened to just "Doc", which referred to Steve's hard playing style.

1981

In 1981, Keith Collins joined them to relieve Jon of bass guitar duties.

1982

In 1982, the band released an E.P. on Par Records.

1983

In 1983, the day before the release of their debut album, "Avatar" were forced to change their name due to copyright issues.

Combining the words "Sabotage" and "Avatar", Oliva (along with his future wife Dawn, his brother Jon and Jon's wife) came up with "Savatage".

Savatage released their first two albums, Sirens in 1983, and The Dungeons Are Calling in 1985, both on Par Records, exhibiting a variety of musical styles.

1984

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

1985

Meanwhile, Savatage continued to flourish, releasing 6 further albums after signing with Atlantic Records in 1985.

1987

This was considered the "Golden Age" of Savatage, particularly when the band collaborated with producer Paul O'Neill for the first time in 1987's Hall of the Mountain King.

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.

Savatage toured relentlessly, with Oliva winning critical acclaim.

1991

His biggest dream was for Savatage's 1991 album Streets: A Rock Opera to achieve platinum status.

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

1992

Savatage was rocked, however, by the sudden departures of Jon Oliva and Steve "Doc" Wacholz in 1992 and 1993 respectively.

Criss's best friend Dan Campbell discovered Zachary "Zak" Stevens while in Hollywood California.

Dan passed Zak's Wicked Witch demo directly to Oliva, and thus introduced Zak to the band.

An oncoming car operated by a drunk driver crossed the median and struck Oliva's 1992 Mazda RX-7 head-on.

Dawn survived the crash, but Oliva was killed instantly.

The drunk driver, who had seven prior drunk driving (DUI) convictions, survived with minor injuries and was later found guilty of DUI manslaughter, DUI serious injury and vehicular homicide, and served 18 months in prison of a five-year sentence.

1993

Zak was then chosen as the replacement for Jon on lead vocals, and Jeff Plate was selected to replace Doc on drums, and Savatage continued, releasing Edge of Thorns in 1993.

The front cover of Edge of Thorns is a painting by artist Gary Smith of Oliva's wife, Dawn.

The face in the trees is supposed to be Jon Oliva, though producer Paul O'Neill disputes that despite its publication in an interview with Criss from 1993.

Gary was also responsible for all of Oliva's airbrushed guitars.

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

Oliva played Jackson Guitars and Charvel Guitars.

His 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".

On October 17, 1993, at around 3:30 a.m., Oliva and his wife Dawn were driving north on Highway 301 on their way to the Fourth Annual Livestock Festival held in Zephyrhills, Florida, just north of Tampa.

1994

The thrash metal band Overkill wrote a song named "R.I.P. (Undone)" on their 1994 album W.F.O. as a tribute to Oliva.

Vicious Rumors and Testament also dedicated their respective albums, Word of Mouth and Low, to him.