It was recently reported that Greg Hildebrandt, the admired artist and illustrator who created movie posters for the original Star Wars and Clash Of The Titans, drew Marvel characters and designed iconic 1970s calendars that celebrated the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, has died. He was 85. Hildebrandt also created album covers for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
They released the following statement regarding Hildebrandt's contributions to TSO:
"With impossibly heavy hearts for his family, we share the passing of one of the biggest rockstars of our time and oldest TSO band members, even though he never picked up an instrument: Greg Hildebrandt, a visionary artist whose legacy with a paintbrush has left an indelible mark on not just the art world, but the world in general.
Greg Hildebrandt’s work with Trans-Siberian Orchestra began in 2003, when he first heard Beethoven's Last Night and felt inspired to create nearly 180 illustrations to match its themes of redemption, loss, and hope. His vivid, fantasy-inspired style resonated deeply with TSO creator/founder/songwriter Paul O’Neill, who was already a giant lifelong fan of Greg's iconic work, including projects such as the Lord Of The Rings and Star Wars. This profound connection led Greg to become TSO's exclusive artist, crafting cover art, tour posters, and concert programs that visually narrated TSO's musical stories - a friendship Paul O’Neill cherished every day. For TSO and for the world at large, Greg’s art wasn’t just great - it was incredible. His work evoked the emotions that matter most, drawing us into new ideas and leaving an unforgettable beauty behind.
We know Greg’s soul will go on to paint our skies, snowflakes, and lives, and if it’s even 5% as beautiful as he was in life, we are in for a true gift.
Though we will miss him forever, his spirit remains with us; all we need to do is look up, into deep space, or through a microscope. Wherever beauty resides, we’re certain Greg had a hand in it.
We were lucky for what time we had on Earth to witness it."
Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist Chris Caffery followed up with his own tribute to Hildebrandt:
"All of my TSO art guitars contain Greg’s artwork. His legacy lives on stage with us every show we play in so many ways. I will always remember that smile and the energy he gave to us from the audience when he was at a show. I love you and I’ll miss you, my friend. Thank you for blessing all of us in the TSO family and the world."
This year, multi-platinum rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) kicks off a monumental winter tour on November 13th. The tour marks a triple celebration: 20 years of their beloved rock opera "The Lost Christmas Eve," reaching their 20 millionth concertgoer, and surpassing a phenomenal $20 million donated to charity.
Tickets are on sale now at www.trans-siberian.com.
TSO remains true to the vision of their late founder, Paul O’Neill, by being one of rock's most generous bands. This year, the band will surpass a staggering $20 million donated to charity, a testament to their ongoing commitment to philanthropy. This generosity is fueled by their tradition of donating at least $1 from every ticket sold. That means with their 20 millionth fan attending a show on this tour, TSO will be hitting not just a concert attendance record, but a charitable milestone as well.
TSO's music director and lead guitarist, Al Pitrelli said, “When I was working on Lost Christmas Eve with Paul O'Neill, we talked a lot about time. He said that losing money or things wasn't as bad as losing time. Material losses can be recovered, but you can never get time back. That's why he always thought it was never too late to change. Never too late for forgiveness. People can make things right, forgive each other, and reconnect. The Lost Christmas Eve is about that hope: it's never too late for any of us."
This year's tour marks the grand return of "The Lost Christmas Eve" to the stage for the first time since 2013. Expect an all-new, dazzling spectacle packed with pyrotechnics, lasers, and the incredible storytelling synonymous with TSO. The celebration continues with a high-energy second set featuring the group's greatest hits and fan favorites.
Dates:
November
13 - Council Bluffs, IA - Mid-America Center - 7:00 PM
13 - Green Bay, WI - Resch Center - 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
14 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena - 7:00 PM
15 - Fort Wayne, IN - Allen County War Memorial Coliseum - 7:00 PM
16 - Denver, CO - Ball Arena - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
16 - Toledo, OH - Huntington Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
17 - Colorado Springs, CO - Broadmoor World Arena - 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
17 - Erie, PA - Erie Insurance Arena - 2:30 PM & 7:00 PM
20 - Albany, NY - MVP Arena - 7:30 PM
20 - Salt Lake City, UT - Delta Center - 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
21 - Boise, ID - ExtraMile Arena - 7:00 PM
21 - State College, PA - Bryce Jordan Center - 7:00 PM
22 - Spokane, WA - Spokane Arena - 7:00 PM
22 - Youngstown, OH - Covelli Centre - 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM
23 - Hershey, PA - Giant Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
23 - Seattle, WA - Climate Pledge Arena - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
24 - Portland, OR - Moda Center - 2:30 PM & 7:00 PM
24 - Wilkes-Barre, PA - Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza - 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
27 - Ottawa, ON - Canadian Tire Centre - 7:30 PM
27 - Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 Center - 2:30 PM & 7:00 PM
29 - Las Vegas, NV - Orleans Arena - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
29 - Manchester, NH - SNHU Arena - 2:30 PM & 7:00 PM
30 - Anaheim, CA - Honda Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
30 - Worcester, MA - DCU Center - 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM
December
1 - Phoenix, AZ - Footprint Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
1 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena - 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM
4 - Austin, TX - Moody Center - 7:00 PM
4 - Buffalo, NY - KeyBank Center - 7:00 PM
5 - Bossier City, LA - Brookshire Grocery Arena - 7:00 PM
5 - Charleston, WV - Charleston Coliseum - 7:00 PM
6 - Cincinnati, OH - Heritage Bank Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
6 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center - 7:00 PM
7 - Dayton, OH - Nutter Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
7 - Kansas City, MO - T-Mobile Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
8 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
8 - Little Rock, AR - Simmons Bank Arena - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
11 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC - 7:00 PM
11 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena - 7:00 PM
12 - Columbia, SC - Colonial Life Arena - 7:00 PM
12 - Jacksonville, FL - VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena - 7:00 PM
13 - Greenville, SC - Bon Secours Wellness Arena - 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM
13 - Sunrise, FL - Amerant Bank Arena - 7:30 PM
14 - Charlotte, NC - Spectrum Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
14 - Orlando, FL - Kia Center - 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
15 - Atlanta, GA - Gas South Arena - 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
15 - Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena - 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
18 - Raleigh, NC - PNC Arena - 7:00 PM
18 - St Louis, MO - Enterprise Center - 7:00 PM
19 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena - 7:00 PM
19 - Indianapolis, IN - Gainbridge Fieldhouse - 7:00 PM
20 - Moline, IL - Vibrant Arena at The MARK - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
20 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
21 - Pittsburgh, PA - PPG Paints Arena - 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
21 - St Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
22 - Milwaukee, WI - Fiserv Forum - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
22 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
23 - Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena - 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM
23 - Washington, DC - Capital One Arena - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
26 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
26 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
27 - Cleveland, OH - Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
27 - San Antonio, TX - Frost Bank Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
28 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
28 - Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
30 - Oklahoma City, OK - Paycom Center - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
30 - Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena - 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
"The Lost Christmas Eve" is a product of the imagination of and based on TSO’s double-platinum CD of the same name. The plot is one that resonates with people deeply over the holiday season. Alone on Christmas Eve, a bitter old businessman wandered New York City. Once a rising star, he’d traded love, family, and joy for a life of solitude and regret. The tragic loss of his wife hardened his heart, pushing him away from his infant son and into decades of isolation. Then, a chance encounter with a mysterious girl led him to a life-altering phone call. His son, who he abandoned decades ago, was alive, a gentle soul caring for troubled newborns in a maternity ward. After seeking him out, the son gives a silent and forgiving gaze to his long-lost father. As they sit together, comforting innocent infants, a new reunited life together begins.
