Jon Schaffer

Jon Schaffer
Jon Schaffer
	Schaffer in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Jon Ryan Schaffer
Born	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

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.

[D&W_Bio-1] "Demons & Wizards biography". Demonsandwizards.de. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2012.

[2] "Friday Top: 25 Best Rhythm Guitarists of All Time". Ultimate Guitar. April 5, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2024.

[plea-3] 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.

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