For the philosopher, see Jonathan Schaffer. For the computer scientist, see Jonathan Schaeffer.
Jon Schaffer
Schaffer in 2016
Background information
Birth name
Jon Ryan Schaffer
Born
(1968-03-15) March 15, 1968 (age 56) Franklin, Indiana, U.S.
Genres
Heavy metal
power metal
thrash metal
progressive metal
Occupation(s)
Musician
songwriter
Instrument(s)
Guitar
vocals
Years active
1984–2021
Member of
Iced Earth
Sons of Liberty
Purgatory
Schaffer/Barlow Project
Formerly of
Demons & Wizards
Musical artist
Jon Ryan Schaffer (/ˈʃeɪfər/; born March 15, 1968)[1] is an American heavy metal musician. He is the rhythm guitarist, bandleader and principal songwriter of the Indiana-based heavy metal band Iced Earth, which he formed in 1985 under the name Purgatory. He is also the lead singer in his political side project Sons of Liberty and, until 2021, played guitar for Demons & Wizards, his collaboration with Blind Guardian frontman Hansi Kürsch. In a 2019 poll by Guitar World, Schaffer was ranked as the 25th-best rhythm guitar player of all time.[2]
Schaffer is a founding lifetime member of the far-right Oath Keepers militia. In April 2021, he pleaded guilty to two crimes related to his participation in the storming of the United States Capitol.[3]
^"Demons & Wizards biography". Demonsandwizards.de. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
^"Friday Top: 25 Best Rhythm Guitarists of All Time". Ultimate Guitar. April 5, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
^Feuer, Alan; Benner, Katie (April 16, 2021). "A member of the Oath Keepers pleads guilty and will cooperate with prosecutors in the Jan. 6 riot inquiry". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
Jon Ryan Schaffer (/ˈʃeɪfər/; born March 15, 1968) is an American heavy metal musician. He is the rhythm guitarist, bandleader and principal songwriter...
Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band currently composed of only JonSchaffer, formed in Tampa, Florida and based in Columbus, Indiana. They were formed...
consisted of vocalist Gene Adam, lead guitarist Bill Owen, rhythm guitarist JonSchaffer, bassist Richard Bateman and drummer Greg Seymour. The band has been...
album was first recorded with Matt Barlow on vocals, but band leader JonSchaffer was not satisfied with his performance. Due to the events of September...
Dark Saga are under four minutes long). According to rhythm guitarist JonSchaffer, the shift in musical style was due to a much more positive feeling going...
Ashes of Ares and former lead singer of Iced Earth and Pyramaze. He is JonSchaffer's brother-in-law. Barlow joined Iced Earth after the Night of the Stormrider...
concept album centered on an idea that was created by the band's leader JonSchaffer. Night of the Stormrider is the only Iced Earth album to feature lead...
artwork. It came originally with an Alive in Athens poster signed by JonSchaffer. This box had the same track list as the three-disc version. In 2008...
a guest on the album. According to rhythm guitarist and band leader JonSchaffer, half of the album is focused on his "Something Wicked" concept, while...
after 1880), the additional alternative spelling "Schäffer", and the anglicised forms "Schaeffer", "Schaffer", "Shaffer", "Shafer", and "Schafer" are all common...
Guy Reffitt Dana Rohrabacher Rick Saccone Ryan Samsel Ronald Sandlin JonSchaffer Kevin Seefried Owen Shroyer Peter Francis Stager Brandon Straka John...
features most of the band's October 2006-March 2007 lineup, with guitarist JonSchaffer playing bass, as former bassist James "Bo" Wallace left before recording...
and eleven music videos. Originally formed as Purgatory by guitarist JonSchaffer on January 20, 1985, the band spent five years playing live locally and...
album's booklet, used a 1986 Purgatory demo for the backing track instead. JonSchaffer – rhythm guitar, vocals Randall Shawver – lead guitar Matt Barlow – lead...
place 35. All tracks are written by JonSchaffer and Hansi Kürsch, except where noted Hansi Kürsch – vocals JonSchaffer – lead, rhythm, bass, acoustic guitars...
show either angels or demons on the cover. The booklet also includes JonSchaffer's comments on previous albums and his life. Even though the CD was released...
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