A long-rumored piece of Savatage history is finally getting the full release treatment. Founding singer Jon Oliva says a live album recorded on June 29, 1990, at the Palace in Los Angeles (captured during the Gutter Ballet tour) is set to arrive “soon.”
The recording features Savatage’s touring lineup from that era: Jon Oliva on lead vocals and piano, his late brother Criss Oliva on lead guitar, Chris Caffery on guitar, Johnny Lee Middleton on bass, and Steve “Doc” Wacholz on drums.
Jon shared the update in a social media post on Monday (January 26), and he didn’t keep it vague. Here’s what he said about where things stand and why this particular night matters to him:
“The triple live album with Criss is being turned over to the record company this Monday, the 26th, and it will be coming out soon. This is live from the Palace in Los Angeles on the Gutter Ballet tour, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best shows we ever did. Criss and I were absolutely on fire that night — his playing was incredible, my singing was strong, and yeah… I was pretty funny too. We’ve remixed and mastered the entire show, and it sounds absolutely amazing. The song list is fantastic, and the energy from that night really comes through. This is truly a must-have for every real Savatage fan. I can’t wait for you all to hear it.”
If the setlist data is accurate, it’s the kind of track run that hits every corner of the early catalog and then some. According to Setlist.fm, the Palace show included:
- City Beneath The Surface
- White Witch
- Of Rage And War
- She’s In Love
- Mentally Yours
- 24 Hrs. Ago
- Legions
- Strange Wings
- Hounds
- Temptation Revelation
- When The Crowds Are Gone
- The Dungeons Are Calling
- Holocaust
- Sirens
- Power Of The Night
- Hall Of The Mountain King
- Gutter Ballet
- Thorazine Shuffle
- Devastation
There’s also a connection here to a release longtime fans already know: three songs from the 1990 Palace performance previously showed up on the 1995 live album Ghost In The Ruins – A Tribute To Criss Oliva. Those were “Gutter Ballet,” “When The Crowds Are Gone,” and the instrumental “Post Script,” which was recorded during soundcheck.
If this triple live set lands the way Jon describes, properly remixed, mastered, and with the full show intact, it’s a serious archival release for anyone who holds the classic Savatage era close.
