Paul O'Neill (rock producer)
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Paul O'Neill (February 23, 1956 – April 5, 2017) was an American music composer, producer, lyricist, and guitarist.


Career


Early years

Paul O'Neill was born in
Flushing, Queens Flushing is a neighborhood in the north-central portion of the New York City borough of Queens. The neighborhood is the fourth-largest central business district in New York City. Downtown Flushing is a major commercial and retail area, and the ...
, New York City,Huffington Post, Entertainment, April 25, 2012 the second of his parents' ten children. His music and literary influences, as well as his own artistic visions, were well established before he began working full-time in the industry in his late teens. O'Neill began playing guitar with a number of rock bands in high school and quickly graduated to folk guitar gigs at downtown clubs. He took his first serious musical steps in the mid-1970s when he took his first progressive rock band, Slowburn, into
Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...
's
Electric Lady Studios Electric Lady Studios is a recording studio in Greenwich Village, New York City. It was commissioned by rock musician Jimi Hendrix in 1968 and designed by architect John Storyk and audio engineer Eddie Kramer by 1970. Hendrix spent only ten ...
in New York City. It was there that he first met engineer Dave Wittman who had the ability to capture on tape the sounds O'Neill was hearing in his head. O'Neill ended up shelving the project because he was not happy with final results. He later credited Slowburn's initial failure as one of the luckiest things that could have happened to him, for it gave him the opportunity to learn the recording and concert business from the inside out. Touring with some of the world's biggest bands gave him insight into how the music industry differed from country to country, and a better sense of history, people and finance than books alone could teach. He landed a position at Leber-Krebs Inc., the management company that launched the careers of
Aerosmith Aerosmith is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (musician), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (musician), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums) and Brad Whi ...
,
AC/DC AC/DC (stylised as ACϟDC) are an Australian Rock music, rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm Young, Malcolm and Angus Young. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and Heavy metal ...
,
Def Leppard Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1976 in Sheffield. Since 1992, the band has consisted of Rick Savage (bass, backing vocals), Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Allen (drums, backing vocals), Phil Collen (guitar, backing vocals), a ...
,
Ted Nugent Theodore Anthony Nugent (; born December 13, 1948) is an American rock musician and activist. He initially gained fame as the lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist of The Amboy Dukes, a band formed in 1963 that played psychedelic rock an ...
,
New York Dolls New York Dolls were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. Along with the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, they were one of the first bands of the early punk rock scenes. Although the band never achieved much commercial succe ...
,
Scorpions Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back and always end ...
,
Joan Jett Joan Jett (born Joan Marie Larkin, September 22, 1958) is an American singer, guitarist, record producer, and actress. Jett is best known for her work as the frontwoman of her band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and for earlier founding and per ...
and others. Specifically, he worked as the personal assistant of manager David Krebs. In the 1980s, O'Neill became a large rock promoter in Japan, promoting every tour of
Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone (; ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Widely dubbed the " Queen of Pop", Madonna has been noted for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting, a ...
and
Sting Sting may refer to: * Stinger or sting, a structure of an animal to inject venom, or the injury produced by a stinger * Irritating hairs or prickles of a stinging plant, or the plant itself Fictional characters and entities * Sting (Middle-eart ...
in that decade, as well the largest rock festivals in Japan at the time, with such acts as Foreigner,
Bon Jovi Bon Jovi is an American Rock music, rock band formed in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey. It consists of singer Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarist Phil X, and bassist Hugh McDonald (American musician), Hugh McD ...
,
Whitesnake Whitesnake are an English hard rock band formed in London in 1978. The group was originally put together as the backing band for singer David Coverdale, who had recently left Deep Purple. Though the band quickly developed into their own entit ...
, and
Ronnie James Dio Ronald James Padavona (July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010), known professionally as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal singer. He fronted and founded numerous bands throughout his career, including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and H ...
.


Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Among other bands, O'Neill helmed
Aerosmith Aerosmith is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (musician), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (musician), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums) and Brad Whi ...
's ''
Classics Live I ''Classics Live'' and ''Classics Live II'' are a set of albums by American rock band Aerosmith, released in 1986 and 1987, respectively. Together, they constitute the band's second live offering, after '' Live! Bootleg''. ''Classics Live I'' has g ...
'' and ''
Classics Live II ''Classics Live'' and ''Classics Live II'' are a set of albums by American rock band Aerosmith, released in 1986 and 1987, respectively. Together, they constitute the band's second live offering, after '' Live! Bootleg''. ''Classics Live I'' has g ...
'' albums before beginning a fortuitous relationship with the band
Savatage Savatage () was an American heavy metal band founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The band was first called Avatar, but, shortly before the release of their debut album ''Sirens'' (1983), they changed thei ...
that led to conceptual pieces such as '' Hall of the Mountain King'', ''
Gutter Ballet ''Gutter Ballet'' is the fifth full-length album produced by the American progressive metal band Savatage. This was the second album created under the direction of producer Paul O'Neill and was initially released in December 1, 1989. Overview ...
'', '' Streets: A Rock Opera'' and ''
Dead Winter Dead ''Dead Winter Dead'' is the ninth studio album by the American heavy metal band Savatage, released in 1995. It is a concept album, that tells a story from the perspectives of a Serb boy, a Bosniak girl and an old man. The story of the album is s ...
''. It also introduced him to
Jon Oliva John Nicholas "Jon" Oliva (born July 22, 1959) is an American singer and musician. He is best known as the co-founder, keyboardist and lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Savatage, which he co-founded with his younger brother Criss Oliva. Sinc ...
,
Bob Kinkel Robert Kinkel is an American professional session keyboardist and music engineer most known for his role as a co-creator/co-producer/co-composer and touring keyboardist with Trans-Siberian Orchestra along with extensive studio work with the prog ...
and
Al Pitrelli Al Pitrelli is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Megadeth, Alice Cooper, Joe Lynn Turner, Asia and Savatage. Career Early career (1982–1995) Pitrelli attended the Berklee College of Music ...
, as well as reconnecting him with studio engineer Dave Wittman, who all became original collaborators in O'Neill's next group,
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is an American rock band founded in 1996 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O'Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli (both members of Savatage) and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel to ...
. "I wanted to take the very best of all the forms of music I grew up on and merge them into a new style," O'Neill said in 2011. "Basically I was building on the work of everybody I worshipped: the rock opera parts from bands like
the Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
; the marriage of classical and rock from bands like
Emerson, Lake & Palmer Emerson, Lake & Palmer (informally known as ELP) were an English progressive rock supergroup formed in London in 1970. The band consisted of Keith Emerson (keyboards), Greg Lake (vocals, bass, guitar, producer) and Carl Palmer (drums, percus ...
and
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; the over-the-top light show from bands like
Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic music, psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philo ...
... I always wanted to do a full rock opera with a full progressive band and at least 24 lead singers. O'Neill took the idea to
Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most i ...
which, to his surprise, went for it and financed the creation of Romanov which was initially to be TSO's first release. "We were very fortunate," he says. "It was one of the only labels left that still did an "old school" kind of artist development." My original concept was; "We were going to do six rock operas, a trilogy about Christmas and maybe one or two regular albums." However, when Romanov got temporarily put on the back burner, the first installment of the Christmas trilogy, ''
Christmas Eve and Other Stories Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, ...
'' became TSO's debut album. Fueled by the single "
Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24" is an instrumental medley of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and " Shchedryk", first released on the Savatage album ''Dead Winter Dead'' in 1995 as "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)." It was re-released by the Trans-Sib ...
" (originally released on the
Savatage Savatage () was an American heavy metal band founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The band was first called Avatar, but, shortly before the release of their debut album ''Sirens'' (1983), they changed thei ...
concept album ''
Dead Winter Dead ''Dead Winter Dead'' is the ninth studio album by the American heavy metal band Savatage, released in 1995. It is a concept album, that tells a story from the perspectives of a Serb boy, a Bosniak girl and an old man. The story of the album is s ...
'') the album went double platinum. More platinum certifications followed with 1998's ''
The Christmas Attic ''The Christmas Attic'' is the second album by the American rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra, released in 1998. The cover art is by Edgar Jerins. On September 5, 2019, ''The Christmas Attic'' was certified 2× platinum by the Recording Indus ...
'', and the final installment of the Christmas trilogy, ''
The Lost Christmas Eve ''The Lost Christmas Eve'' is the fourth album by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was released on October 12, 2004, and is the last album in their "Christmas trilogy", with '' Christmas Eve and Other Stories'' (1996) and '' The Christmas Attic' ...
'' in 2004. In the midst of completing the trilogy, TSO released their first non-holiday rock opera, ''
Beethoven's Last Night ''Beethoven's Last Night'' is a rock opera by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, released in 2000. The album tells the fictional story of Ludwig van Beethoven on the last night of his life, as the devil, Mephistopheles, comes to collect his soul. Wit ...
''.


Death

O'Neill's body was discovered in an
Embassy Suites Embassy Suites by Hilton is a chain of upper upscale all-suite hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide. As of December 31, 2019, there are 257 locations in five countries and territories with 59,712 rooms. Similar to other Hilton brands, 212 Em ...
hotel room in
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. O'Neill's death was announced in a brief note posted on the
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is an American rock band founded in 1996 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O'Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli (both members of Savatage) and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel to ...
website on April 5, 2017, which cited chronic illness. The Hillsborough, Florida medical examiner's office determined the official cause of Paul O'Neill's death as accidental, resulting from an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications to treat his numerous chronic illnesses (including bone augmentation surgery, complications from spinal fusion surgery, heart disease, and hypertension). Found along with O'Neill's body were more than 30 prescription pill bottles in his name. O'Neill was in the midst of a number of projects, and their continuation was in doubt. On June 24, 2017, TSO announced on their Facebook page that the band would continue the 2017 Winter Tour of "The Ghost of Christmas Eve" in O'Neill's legacy and honor. During the tour, the band (with Kayla Reeves on the east, and
Dino Jelusic Dino Jelusić (born 4 June 1992), also known by his stage name Dino Jelusick, is a Croatian rock singer, musician, and songwriter. He is the founder, principal songwriter, and lead singer of progressive rock band Animal Drive, which was formed i ...
on the west) honored O'Neill while playing "The Safest Way Into Tomorrow", with images of sunglasses and motorcycle gloves (both trademarks of O'Neill's) projected on the stage's video display.


Discography


Aerosmith

* 1986 – ''
Classics Live I ''Classics Live'' and ''Classics Live II'' are a set of albums by American rock band Aerosmith, released in 1986 and 1987, respectively. Together, they constitute the band's second live offering, after '' Live! Bootleg''. ''Classics Live I'' has g ...
'' * 1987 – ''
Classics Live II ''Classics Live'' and ''Classics Live II'' are a set of albums by American rock band Aerosmith, released in 1986 and 1987, respectively. Together, they constitute the band's second live offering, after '' Live! Bootleg''. ''Classics Live I'' has g ...
''


Badlands

* 1989 – ''
Badlands Badlands are a type of dry terrain where softer sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils have been extensively eroded."Badlands" in ''Chambers's Encyclopædia''. London: George Newnes, 1961, Vol. 2, p. 47. They are characterized by steep slopes, m ...
''


Omen

* 1989 – ''
Escape to Nowhere ''Escape to Nowhere'' is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Omen. It was originally released in 1988 via Metal Blade Records Metal Blade Records is an American independent record label founded by Brian Slagel in 1982 ...
''


Heaven

* 1985 – ''Knockin' on Heaven's Door''


Metal Church

* 1993 – ''
Hanging in the Balance ''Hanging in the Balance'' is the fifth album by American heavy metal band Metal Church, released in 1993. It was Metal Church's last album before their two-year break up from 1996 to 1998, and the last to feature vocalist Mike Howe for more th ...
''


Savatage

* 1987 – '' Hall of the Mountain King'' * 1989 – ''
Gutter Ballet ''Gutter Ballet'' is the fifth full-length album produced by the American progressive metal band Savatage. This was the second album created under the direction of producer Paul O'Neill and was initially released in December 1, 1989. Overview ...
'' * 1991 – '' Streets: A Rock Opera'' * 1993 – ''
Edge of Thorns ''Edge of Thorns'' is the seventh album by American heavy metal band Savatage, released on April 6, 1993 on Atlantic Records. This is the last Savatage album to feature guitarist Criss Oliva, who died six months after its release, and their firs ...
'' * 1994 – ''
Handful of Rain ''Handful of Rain'' is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Savatage, released in 1994. This is the first album since the death of the band's founding member and lead guitarist Criss Oliva who in turn had contributed to writing o ...
'' * 1994 – ''
Japan Live '94 ''Japan Live '94'' (also known as ''Live in Japan'') is a live album and VHS by the American heavy metal band Savatage. The show that was recorded was held in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan on November 12, 1994 and was the last show on the short '' ...
'' * 1995 – ''
Dead Winter Dead ''Dead Winter Dead'' is the ninth studio album by the American heavy metal band Savatage, released in 1995. It is a concept album, that tells a story from the perspectives of a Serb boy, a Bosniak girl and an old man. The story of the album is s ...
'' * 1995 – ''
Ghost in the Ruins – A Tribute to Criss Oliva ''Ghost in the Ruins – A Tribute to Criss Oliva'' is a live album by the American heavy metal band Savatage, recorded between 1987 and 1990. Many of the tracks on this album have since been added to the re-releases of other albums in the Sava ...
'' * 1997 – '' The Wake of Magellan'' * 2001 – ''
Poets and Madmen ''Poets and Madmen'' is the eleventh studio album by American heavy metal band Savatage, released in 2001. It was their last album before their 12-year hiatus, which lasted from 2002 to 2014. The album has a loose concept inspired by the career ...
''


Trans-Siberian Orchestra

* 1996 – ''
Christmas Eve and Other Stories Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, ...
'' * 1998 – ''
The Christmas Attic ''The Christmas Attic'' is the second album by the American rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra, released in 1998. The cover art is by Edgar Jerins. On September 5, 2019, ''The Christmas Attic'' was certified 2× platinum by the Recording Indus ...
'' * 2000 – ''
Beethoven's Last Night ''Beethoven's Last Night'' is a rock opera by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, released in 2000. The album tells the fictional story of Ludwig van Beethoven on the last night of his life, as the devil, Mephistopheles, comes to collect his soul. Wit ...
'' * 2004 – ''
The Lost Christmas Eve ''The Lost Christmas Eve'' is the fourth album by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was released on October 12, 2004, and is the last album in their "Christmas trilogy", with '' Christmas Eve and Other Stories'' (1996) and '' The Christmas Attic' ...
'' * 2009 – ''
Night Castle ''Night Castle'' is the fifth rock opera by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was released on October 28, 2009 as a double CD with a 60-page booklet illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt, and debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard charts and No. 1 on the r ...
'' * 2012 – '' Beethoven's Last Night – The Complete Narrated Version'' * 2012 – '' Dreams of Fireflies (On a Christmas Night) – EP'' * 2015 – '' Letters from the Labyrinth''


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oneill, Paul 1956 births 2017 deaths American composers American male composers Record producers from New York (state) Businesspeople from New York City Savatage members Songwriters from New York (state) Trans-Siberian Orchestra members