Trans-Siberian Orchestra Considering Several New Productions

Death won't stop Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

This much is clear as the orchestral progressive rock project gingerly moves forward following the April death of creator, producer and visionary Paul O'Neill at age 61.

"Paul always said he wanted this to live long past all of us," TSO guitarist Al Pitrelli (formerly of Megadeth) says in a new Billboard interview, following the announcement of TSO's annual holiday tour, November 16 through December 30. 

"Long after we leave the planet he wanted the next several generations to run it and carry on, let the art live forever. That was always our definition of heaven, how people remember you 100 years down the road. If they're still talking about us positively then we did our jobs."

Now that O'Neill has passed away, Pitrelli says TSO is moving forward as a democracy. Its constitution is simple: 'What would Paul do?' Pitrelli explains.

And in O'Neill's spirit, TSO hasn't stopped working. The guitarist says the collective is working on as many as five new projects.

Billboard notes that before his death, O'Neill had bandied about bringing TSO's trademark style of epic concept rock to Broadway—he's also considered non-holiday-themed productions.

"It's a little different going into the production facility in Tampa without him being there," Pitrelli says. "The walls are there, the staff is still there, the music is still on the computer. But it's different now. I don't want to go forward without Paul, I just don't have a choice in the matter, so we will go forward."

Get all of TSO's Autumn and Winter tour dates here


Photo: Getty Images


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