Jeff Scott Soto:
This is in no way bragging about the money this band brings in, but it’s such a great thing for Trans-Siberian Orchestra that there is THAT much interest in this almost 3 decades later!
We’re grateful that Paul O’Neill’s vision continues as he presented it and you think, this report is based on December alone, the tour actually starts in November annually!
Savatage: For the first time in the US- Both Sirens and The Dungeons Are Calling are now available digitally to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, & Deezer – This is just the start of many new exciting things we have in store for you this year. Happy Listening!
Sirens – SPOTIFY – APPLE MUSIC – DEEZER
The Dungeons Are Calling – SPOTIFY – APPLE MUSIC – DEEZER
Joel Hoekstra: Here we go!! First 2 Trans-Siberian Orchestra shows of the tour today at Resch Center, Green Bay, WI! #TSO #TSOtime
Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2019 Tour Dates
Nov. 13 — Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center
Nov. 13 — Council Bluffs, IA @ Mid America Center
Nov. 14 — Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford Premier Center
Nov. 15 — Youngstown, OH @ Covelli Center
Nov. 16 — Allentown, PA @ PPL Center
Nov. 16 — Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
Nov. 17 — Worcester, MA @ DCU Center
Nov. 17 — Colorado Springs, CO @ World Arena
Nov. 20 — Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena
Nov. 20 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Vivint Smart Home Arena
Nov. 21 — Baltimore, MD @ Royal Farms Arena
Nov. 21 — Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena
Nov. 22 — Wilkes Barre, PA @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Nov. 22 — Spokane, WA @ Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena
Nov. 23 — Manchester, NH @ SNHU Arena
Nov. 23 — Portland, OR @ Moda Center
Nov. 24 — Hartford, CT @ XL Center
Nov. 24 — Tacoma, WA @ Tacomadome
Nov. 26 — San Jose, CA @ SAP Center at San Jose
Nov. 27 — Toledo, OH @ Huntington Center
Nov. 29 — Cincinnati, OH @ US Bank Arena
Nov. 29 — Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
Nov. 30 — Dayton, OH @ Nutter Center
Nov. 30 — Ontario, CA @ Toyota Arena
Dec. 1 — Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
Dec. 1 — Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Arena
Dec. 4 — Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
Dec. 4 — El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center
Dec. 5 — Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena
Dec. 5 — Lubbock, TX @ United Supermarkets Arena
Dec. 6 — Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Dec. 6 — Wichita, KS @ INTRUST Bank Arena
Dec. 7 — Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
Dec. 7 — Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
Dec. 8 — Duluth, GA @ Infinite Energy Center
Dec. 8 — Oklahoma City, OK @ Chesapeake Energy Arena
Dec. 11 — Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
Dec. 11 — Birmingham, AL @ Legacy Arena at The BJCC
Dec. 12 — Charlottesville, VA @ John Paul Jones Arena
Dec. 12 — Jacksonville, FL @ Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
Dec. 13 — Hershey, PA @ Giant Center
Dec. 13 — Sunrise, FL @ BB&T Center
Dec. 14 — Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center
Dec. 14 — Orlando, FL @ Amway Center
Dec. 15 — Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
Dec. 15 — Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
Dec. 18 — Rochester, NY @ Blue Cross Arena
Dec. 18 — New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center
Dec. 19 — Albany, NY @ Times Union Center
Dec. 19 — Memphis, TN @ Fedex Forum
Dec. 20 — Uniondale, NY @ NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Dec. 20 — Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
Dec. 21 — Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
Dec. 21 — Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
Dec. 22 — Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
Dec. 22 — Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
Dec. 23 — Washington, D.C. @ Capital One Arena
Dec. 23 — San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
Dec. 26 — Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena
Dec. 26 — St Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center
Dec. 27 — Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Dec. 27 — Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum
Dec. 28 — Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
Dec. 28 — St Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
Dec. 30 — Toronto, Canada @ Scotiabank Arena
Dec. 30 — Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena
Cool shot from @trans_siberian opening night in Green Bay courtesy of my friend Janelle Rominski! Looking forward to another 2-show day tomorrow! #TSO #TSOtime pic.twitter.com/vEwDiTq8UJ
— Joel Hoekstra (@JoelHoekstra13) November 15, 2019
Trans-Siberian Orchestra will celebrate 20 years on the road this winter with an all-new production of ‘The Ghosts of Christmas Eve’ featuring the Best of TSO and more. The trek will launch in Green Bay on November 14th and will also make stops in Tulsa, Denver, Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, Spokane, Oakland, Fresno, Sacramento, Phoenix, Ontario, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Washington DC and Cleveland before wrapping up with a two night stay at the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center in Milwaukee, WI on December 30th-31st. A list of dates can be found below.
Trans-Siberian Express Presale Schedule
For Show Dates Nov 14 – Nov 30: TSE Presale 9/5 @ 10 AM Local Time
For Show Dates Dec 1 – Dec 16: TSE Presale 9/6 @ 10 AM Local Time
For Show Dates Dec 19 – Dec 30: TSE Presale 9/7 @ 10 AM Local Time
All Members MUST Register with Ticketmaster Verified Fan to access presale.
Click Here to Register Now
Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2018 Tour Dates
Nov
14
2018
Green Bay, WI
Resch Center
Nov
14
2018
Green Bay, WI
Resch Center
Nov
14
2018
Council Bluffs, IA
Mid-America Center
Nov
15
2018
Fort Wayne, IN
Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Nov
15
2018
Tulsa, OK
BOK Center
Nov
16
2018
State College, PA
Bryce Jordan Center
Nov
17
2018
Allentown, PA
PPL Center
Nov
17
2018
Allentown, PA
PPL Center
Nov
17
2018
Denver, CO
Pepsi Center
Nov
17
2018
Denver, CO
Pepsi Center
Nov
18
2018
Wilkes Barre, PA
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
Nov
18
2018
Wilkes Barre, PA
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
Nov
18
2018
Colorado Springs, CO
World Arena
Nov
18
2018
Colorado Springs, CO
World Arena
Nov
20
2018
Salt Lake City, UT
Vivint Smart Home Arena
Nov
20
2018
Salt Lake City, UT
Vivint Smart Home Arena
Nov
21
2018
Erie, PA
Erie Insurance Arena
Nov
21
2018
Erie, PA
Erie Insurance Arena
Nov
23
2018
Manchester, NH
SNHU Arena (formerly Verizon Wireless Arena)
Nov
23
2018
Manchester, NH
SNHU Arena (formerly Verizon Wireless Arena)
Nov
23
2018
Spokane, WA
Spokane Arena
Nov
24
2018
Worcester, MA
DCU Center
Nov
24
2018
Worcester, MA
DCU Center
Nov
24
2018
Portland, OR
The Moda Center
Nov
24
2018
Portland, OR
The Moda Center
Nov
25
2018
Uncasville, CT
Mohegan Sun Arena
Nov
25
2018
Uncasville, CT
Mohegan Sun Arena
8:00 PM
Nov
25
2018
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma Dome
Nov
28
2018
Albany, NY
Times Union Center
7:30 PM
Nov
28
2018
Oakland, CA
Oracle Arena
Nov
29
2018
Rochester, NY
Blue Cross Arena
Nov
29
2018
Fresno, CA
Save Mart Center
Nov
30
2018
Toledo, OH
Huntington Center
Nov
30
2018
Toledo, OH
Huntington Center
Nov
30
2018
Sacramento, CA
Golden 1 Center
Nov
30
2018
Sacramento, CA
Golden 1 Center
Dec
1
2018
Dayton, OH
Nutter Center
Dec
1
2018
Dayton, OH
Nutter Center
Dec
1
2018
Ontario, CA
Citizens Business Bank Arena
Dec
1
2018
Ontario, CA
Citizens Business Bank Arena
Dec
2
2018
Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Arena
Dec
2
2018
Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Arena
Dec
2
2018
Phoenix, AZ
Gila River Arena
Dec
2
2018
Phoenix, AZ
Gila River Arena
Dec
5
2018
Indianapolis, IN
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Dec
5
2018
Oklahoma City, OK
Chesapeake Energy Arena
Dec
6
2018
Lexington, KY
Rupp Arena
Dec
6
2018
St. Louis, MO
Enterprise Center
Dec
7
2018
Greenville, SC
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Dec
7
2018
Greenville, SC
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Dec
7
2018
Knoxville, TN
Thompson Boling Arena
Dec
8
2018
Charlotte, NC
Spectrum Center
Dec
8
2018
Charlotte, NC
Spectrum Center
Dec
8
2018
Duluth, GA
Infinite Energy Center
Dec
8
2018
Duluth, GA
Infinite Energy Center
Dec
9
2018
Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Coliseum
Dec
9
2018
Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Coliseum
Dec
9
2018
Birmingham, AL
Legacy Arena at the BJCC
Dec
9
2018
Birmingham, AL
Legacy Arena at the BJCC
Dec
12
2018
Raleigh, NC
PNC Arena
Dec
12
2018
Columbia, SC
Colonial Life Arena
Dec
13
2018
Charleston, WV
Charleston Civic Center
Dec
13
2018
Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
Dec
14
2018
Cincinnati, OH
US Bank Arena
Dec
14
2018
Cincinnati, OH
US Bank Arena
Dec
14
2018
Sunrise, FL
BB&T Center
Dec
15
2018
Buffalo, NY
KeyBank Center
Dec
15
2018
Buffalo, NY
KeyBank Center
Dec
15
2018
Orlando, FL
Amway Center
Dec
15
2018
Orlando, FL
Amway Center
Dec
16
2018
Hershey, PA
Giant Center
Dec
16
2018
Hershey, PA
Giant Center
Dec
16
2018
Tampa, FL
Amalie Arena
Dec
16
2018
Tampa, FL
Amalie Arena
Dec
19
2018
Richmond, VA
Richmond Coliseum
Dec
19
2018
New Orleans, LA
Smoothie King Center
Dec
20
2018
Uniondale, NY
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Dec
20
2018
Austin, TX
Frank Erwin Center
Dec
21
2018
Philadelphia, PA
Wells Fargo Center
Dec
21
2018
Philadelphia, PA
Wells Fargo Center
Dec
21
2018
Houston, TX
Toyota Center
Dec
21
2018
Houston, TX
Toyota Center
Dec
22
2018
Newark, NJ
Prudential Center
Dec
22
2018
Newark, NJ
Prudential Center
Dec
22
2018
Dallas, TX
American Airlines Center
Dec
22
2018
Dallas, TX
American Airlines Center
Dec
23
2018
Washington, DC
Capital One Arena
Dec
23
2018
Washington, DC
Capital One Arena
Dec
23
2018
San Antonio, TX
AT&T Center
Dec
23
2018
San Antonio, TX
AT&T Center
Dec
26
2018
Columbus, OH
Nationwide Arena
Dec
26
2018
Columbus, OH
Nationwide Arena
Dec
26
2018
Kansas City, MO
Sprint Center
Dec
26
2018
Kansas City, MO
Sprint Center
Dec
28
2018
Pittsburgh, PA
PPG Paints Arena
Dec
28
2018
Pittsburgh, PA
PPG Paints Arena
Dec
28
2018
Chicago, IL
Allstate Arena
Dec
28
2018
Chicago, IL
Allstate Arena
Dec
29
2018
Detroit, MI
Little Caesars Arena
Dec
29
2018
Detroit, MI
Little Caesars Arena
Dec
29
2018
St. Paul, MN
Xcel Energy Center
Dec
29
2018
St. Paul, MN
Xcel Energy Center
Dec
30
2018
Cleveland, OH
Quicken Loans Arena
Dec
30
2018
Cleveland, OH
Quicken Loans Arena
Dec
30
2018
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center
Dec
30
2018
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center
Richie Kotzen (solo artist, The Winery Dogs):
“Great night with Jeff Scott Soto up at the house… #beer #cake #pretzels #wine #vodka #nachos #happiness #fuckadiet WHO’s In?”
Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Journey, Trans Siberian Orchestra):
“There’s no dieting or AA meetings at the Kotzen house”
2017 Winter Tour
“While all of us, the members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra family, are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and leader Paul O’Neill, we are determined to carry on the rock theater project to which he dedicated his life.
“Paul always talked about how he saw TSO as both an idea and ideal that would continue long after he stepped off the “flight deck” (his name for the stage). We hope to continue his work of providing a timeless, multi-generational tradition like those created by his idol Charles Dickens.
“In that spirit, we are proud to announce that Trans-Siberian Orchestra will return with their 2017 Winter Tour featuring the cherished tale ‘The Ghosts of Christmas Eve’!”
NOV
16
2017
Erie, PA Erie Insurance Arena 4 PM
NOV
16
2017
Erie, PA Erie Insurance Arena 8 PM
NOV
16
2017
Council Bluffs, IA Mid-America Center 7:30 PM
NOV
17
2017
Baltimore, MD Royal Farms Arena 8 PM
NOV
18
2017
Allentown, PA PPL Center 3 PM
NOV
18
2017
Allentown, PA PPL Center 8 PM
NOV
18
2017
Denver, CO Pepsi Center 3 PM
NOV
18
2017
Denver, CO Pepsi Center 8 PM
NOV
19
2017
Wilkes Barre, PA Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza 2:30 PM
NOV
19
2017
Wilkes Barre, PA Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza 7 PM
NOV
19
2017
Colorado Springs, CO World Arena 3 PM
NOV
19
2017
Colorado Springs, CO World Arena 7:30 PM
NOV
21
2017
Salt Lake City, UT Vivint Smart Home Arena 4 PM
NOV
21
2017
Salt Lake City, UT Vivint Smart Home Arena 8 PM
NOV
22
2017
Rochester, NY Blue Cross Arena 7:30 PM
NOV
24
2017
Worcester, MA DCU Center 3 PM
NOV
24
2017
Worcester, MA DCU Center 8 PM
NOV
24
2017
Spokane, WA Spokane Arena 7:30 PM
NOV
25
2017
Manchester, NH SNHU Arena (formerly Verizon Wireless Arena) 3 PM
NOV
25
2017
Manchester, NH SNHU Arena (formerly Verizon Wireless Arena) 8 PM
NOV
25
2017
Seattle, WA KeyArena 3:30 PM
NOV
25
2017
Seattle, WA KeyArena 8 PM
NOV
26
2017
Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena 3 PM
NOV
26
2017
Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena 8 PM
NOV
26
2017
Eugene, OR Matthew Knight Arena 3 PM
NOV
26
2017
Eugene, OR Matthew Knight Arena 7:30 PM
NOV
29
2017
Ft. Wayne, IN Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 7:30 PM
NOV
29
2017
Fresno, CA Save Mart Center 7:30 PM
NOV
30
2017
Lexington, KY Rupp Arena 7:30 PM
NOV
30
2017
Oakland, CA Oracle Arena 7:30 PM
DEC
1
2017
Toledo, OH Huntington Center 3:30 PM
DEC
1
2017
Toledo, OH Huntington Center 8 PM
DEC
1
2017
Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center 3:30 PM
DEC
1
2017
Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center 8 PM
DEC
2
2017
Dayton, OH Nutter Center 3 PM
DEC
2
2017
Dayton, OH Nutter Center 8 PM
DEC
2
2017
Ontario, CA Citizens Business Bank Arena 3:30 PM
DEC
2
2017
Ontario, CA Citizens Business Bank Arena 7:30 PM
DEC
3
2017
Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena 3 PM
DEC
3
2017
Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena 7:30 PM
DEC
3
2017
Phoenix, AZ Gila River Arena 3:30 PM
DEC
3
2017
Phoenix, AZ Gila River Arena 8 PM
DEC
6
2017
Richmond, VA Richmond Coliseum 7:30 PM
DEC
6
2017
El Paso, TX Don Haskins Center 3:00 PM
DEC
6
2017
El Paso, TX Don Haskins Center 7:30 PM
DEC
7
2017
Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center 7:30 PM
DEC
7
2017
Lubbock, TX United Supermarkets Arena 7 PM
DEC
8
2017
Greenville, SC Bon Secours Wellness Arena 4 PM
DEC
8
2017
Greenville, SC Bon Secours Wellness Arena 8 PM
DEC
8
2017
Wichita, KS Intrust Bank Arena 8 PM
DEC
9
2017
Duluth, GA Infinite Energy Center 3 PM
DEC
9
2017
Duluth, GA Infinite Energy Center 8 PM
DEC
9
2017
Kansas City, MO Sprint Center 3 PM
DEC
9
2017
Kansas City, MO Sprint Center 8 PM
DEC
10
2017
Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum 3 PM
DEC
10
2017
Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum 7:30 PM
DEC
10
2017
Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena 3 PM
DEC
10
2017
Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena 7 PM
DEC
13
2017
Raleigh, NC PNC Arena 7:30 PM
DEC
13
2017
Birmingham, AL Legacy Arena at the BJCC 7:30 PM
DEC
14
2017
Washington, DC Capital One Arena 7:30 PM
DEC
14
2017
Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum 7:30 PM
DEC
15
2017
Hershey, PA Giant Center 3:30 PM
DEC
15
2017
Hershey, PA Giant Center 8 PM
DEC
15
2017
Sunrise, FL BB&T Center 8 PM
DEC
16
2017
Buffalo, NY KeyBank Center 3 PM
DEC
16
2017
Buffalo, NY KeyBank Center 8 PM
DEC
16
2017
Orlando, FL Amway Center 3 PM
DEC
16
2017
Orlando, FL Amway Center 8 PM
DEC
17
2017
Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center 3 PM
DEC
17
2017
Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center 7:30 PM
DEC
17
2017
Tampa, FL Amalie Arena 3 PM
DEC
17
2017
Tampa, FL Amalie Arena 7:30 PM
DEC
20
2017
Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse 7:30 PM
DEC
20
2017
New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center 7:30 PM
DEC
21
2017
Cincinnati, OH US Bank Arena 4 PM
DEC
21
2017
Cincinnati, OH US Bank Arena 8 PM
DEC
21
2017
Houston, TX Toyota Center 3:30 PM
DEC
21
2017
Houston, TX Toyota Center 8 PM
DEC
22
2017
Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena 3 PM
DEC
22
2017
Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena 8 PM
DEC
22
2017
Dallas, TX American Airlines Center 3:30 PM
DEC
22
2017
Dallas, TX American Airlines Center 8 PM
DEC
23
2017
Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena 3 PM
DEC
23
2017
Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena 8 PM
DEC
23
2017
San Antonio, TX AT&T Center 3:30 PM
23
2017
San Antonio, TX AT&T Center 8 PM
DEC
26
2017
Newark, NJ Prudential Center 3 PM
DEC
26
2017
Newark, NJ Prudential Center 8 PM
DEC
26
2017
St Louis, MO Scottrade Center 3 PM
DEC
26
2017
St Louis, MO Scottrade Center 8 PM
DEC
27
2017
Albany, NY Times Union Center 3 PM
DEC
27
2017
Albany, NY Times Union Center 8 PM
DEC
28
2017
Chicago, IL Allstate Arena 3 PM
DEC
28
2017
Chicago, IL Allstate Arena 8 PM
DEC
29
2017
Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena 3 PM
DEC
29
2017
Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena 8 PM
DEC
29
2017
Milwaukee, WI BMO Harris Bradley Center 3 PM
DEC
29
2017
Milwaukee, WI BMO Harris Bradley Center 8 PM
DEC
30
2017
Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena 3 PM
DEC
30
2017
Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena 8 PM
DEC
30
2017
St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center 3:30 PM
DEC
30
2017
St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center 8 PM
Sons of Apollo, the new supergroup featuring Billy Sheehan on bass (Talas, David Lee Roth, The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big), drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs), guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), keyboardist Derek Sherinian (ex-Dream Theater) and vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ex-Journey), will release their debut, Psychotic Symphony, on October 20th via Inside Out / Sony Music . The album teaser has been embedded above.
Sherinian,
The music is modern, but we have an old school soul. What is unique about Sons of Apollo is that we have true rock ‘n’ roll swagger along with the virtuosity — a lethal combination!”
Portnoy,
This is a real band. This is going to pick up for me and Billy where The Winery Dogs left off, in terms of this being the next logical full-time thing for us. I’m not saying The Winery Dogs have broken up, because we haven’t, we’re just on a break. Sons of Apollo is absolutely going to be a full-time band and we plan on touring all over the world all throughout 2018 and, honestly, it is the priority for all five of us.”
Producer / Composer / Songwriter Paul O’Neill has passed away at age 61 due to a chronic illness. O’Neill is best known for founding the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a group that sold over ten million records and over 10 million concert tickets. He was also a crucial component in the making of several classic Savatage records, including Hall of the Mountain King. Other notable production & songwriting credits include Aerosmith’s Classic Live I and II (co-producer on both), the self-titled album from Badlands (producer / songwriter), featuring Jake E. Lee, and Heaven’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (producer / songwriter). A statement from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra family can be read below:
“The entire Trans-Siberian Orchestra family, past and present, is heartbroken to share the devastating news that Paul O’Neill has passed away from chronic illness.
“He was our friend and our leader — a truly creative spirit and an altruistic soul. This is a profound and indescribable loss for us all.
“We ask that you respect Paul’s family’s privacy now.
“We will make additional announcements shortly.”
Comment from Testament / former TSO (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) guitarist Alex Skolnick
“From 2000- 2009 the TSO Winter Tour was my ritual, as East Coast stage left guitarist during Nov/Dec. Although it’s been a number of years since I moved on from the annual multi-month holiday trek, news of Paul O’Neil’s passing is no less sad and shocking. What began as a small theatrical rock show during the holidays (with appearances at The Beacon, the Orpheum in Boston and other old time theaters) led to packed arenas (often two in a day) including Madison Sq Garden, performances on shows like GMA and Regis & Kelly and jamming with guests from Joan to Joe (Jett & Walsh), from Roger to Tyler (Daltrey & Steven). While I confess – at the risk of saying what some might not wish to hear – that my own musical preferences run counter to some of the TSO fare (I’m not alone here, but won’t “out” any of my former colleagues), there were enough cool musical moments to balance things out and more importantly, audiences so intensely appreciative that for 2+ hours onstage, a performer’s private tastes (along with the unavoidable exhaustion, inevitable aches and occasional ailments such a grueling tour will bring), faded away as though by the magic described within the show’s narrative. TSO became “The Nutcracker” for the classic rock generation and their families; Paul somehow knew this was needed before the audiences knew themselves. TSO had/has little In common with “cool” culture (an appreciative Tweet from The Roots’ QuestLove was a rare collusion), yet it somehow didn’t matter. This was something for a market as massively ignored by the music industry as it was massive. Besides, show me any prestigious artist of classical, jazz, visual art, indy rock or anyone else ever considered “cool,” “critically lauded” or other terms not often associated with TSO and I’ll show you someone near and dear to them – aunt, nephew, mom, cousin, grandma or other relative – who’s a massive TSO fan. For artists, the gig was a career break that came with a humbling realization – one was now part of a much bigger picture, a shining star within a Milky Way- like galaxy (and similar sensory overload). After my own self-imposed touring hiatus for music studies in the early 00s, some were shocked to see my reemergence later, giving 100%+ onstage and realizing that one’s stage performance needn’t conflict with individual musical development and depth (and could even help those things come across more strongly). I owe my coming out of the proverbial shell while on the bandshell (along with many great experiences, friendships, music biz connections etc…) to this admittedly crazy, wildly generous, fiercely creative and inhumanly driven character, who’d often call me and others “Boss” as a term of endearment.
Rest In Peace, Boss”