Jon Ryan Schaffer (Iced Earth)

Jon Ryan Schaffer (b. Franklin, March 15, 1968 - ) -- Guitarist and songwriter. After dropping out of Northrop High School in Fort Wayne at age sixteen, Schaffer and drummer Greg Seymour moved to Tampa, Florida, as the nucleus of the band Purgatory. While in Tampa, they recruited other members and soon became Iced Earth. A heavy metal group that includes elements of thrash metal, Iced Earth has gone through many personnel changes, and Schaffer, the only original member, functions as the group’s main songwriter, rhythm guitarist, back-up singer, and album cover designer. Starting with a self-titled album in 1990, the group has recorded a total of thirteen studio albums. In addition, Iced Earth has made extensive tours throughout the US and Europe. Around 1998, Iced Earth moved to Indiana, and Schaffer owns a collectibles store (Spirit of ’76) in Columbus. Although plagued by membership changes, Iced Earth has remained active for almost thirty years with Schaffer being the only the member to survive the entire run.