Jeff Waters, seines Zeichens Gitarrist von Annihilator, langjähriger Freund und großer Fan von Savatage, wird den Jungs um Jon Oliva auf den europäischen Sommer Festivals sowie bei einzelnen Club Shows unter die Arme greifen. Hier die offizielle Pressemitteilung der Band: "Due to commitments prior to the re-joining of Savatage, Al Pitrelli will not be able to play on this summer's short Savatage Tour. A long time friend of Savatage; Annihilator guitarist/main-man Jeff Waters will step in to help out with the guitar duties. "I'm more than happy to help out a great band made up of very talented and professional people; besides, I owe Chris Caffery: he took me to my first NHL hockey game!" says Jeff Waters Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery "Jeff and I are very good friends, and he is also one of my favorite guitarists. When we contacted him I was very excited about the possibility of him playing these shows. I am definitely looking forward to working with him." Updated 2002 Summer European Tourdates: 07/26/02 Moncofar, Spain - Rock Machina Festival 07/29/02 Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal 07/31/02 Munich, Germany - Backstage 08/01/02 Bochum, Germany - Zeche 08/02/02 Wacken, Germany - Wacken Open Air Festival 08/03/02 Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7, Metal Dayz Festival 08/05/02 Budapest, Hungary - Island/Sziget Festival 08/06/02 Belgrade, Jugoslavia - tba.