Dan Spitz (born 28 January 1963, Age: 60 years old) is an American musician who has been a part of the thrash metal scene since the early 1980s. He is best known for his work as the lead guitarist of Anthrax, one of the “Big Four” bands of the genre, along with Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. Spitz has also founded and played in other bands, such as Red Lamb, Voices of Extreme, and DeuxMonkey.
He is also a certified luxury watchmaker and micro-mechanical engineer, having studied at the prestigious WOSTEP school in Switzerland. Spitz has a unique and fascinating career that spans music, art, and science. In this article, we will explore his latest news, personal life, and achievements.
Early Life and Family
Dan Spitz was born on January 28, 1963, in Rockland County, New York, as the second son of a lawyer and a high school substitute teacher. He is currently 60 years old, as of 2023. His birthplace is a small town in the county, which is located about 30 miles north of New York City.
Spitz comes from an orthodox Levite tribe Jewish family, which traces its ancestry back to the biblical tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Levites were the priests and temple servants of the ancient Israelites, and they had special religious and social roles and privileges. Spitz’s family followed the Jewish traditions and laws, and celebrated the Jewish holidays and festivals. Spitz had a bar mitzvah ceremony when he turned 13, and he learned Hebrew and studied the Torah.
Spitz converted to Christianity / Messianic Judaism in 1993, after he met his wife, Candi Spitz, who was a Christian. Messianic Judaism is a movement that combines elements of Judaism and Christianity and believes that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel and the Son of God. Spitz and his wife have four children, twin boys named Brendan and Jaden, and two daughters named Emily and Valentina.
Physical Stats
According to some sources, Dan Spitz’s height is 1.55 m or 5’ 1″. This makes him one of the shortest members of Anthrax, as well as one of the shortest metal guitarists in general. However, his height does not affect his ability to play fast and complex riffs and solos on his guitar.
Dan Spitz’s weight is not widely known, but he appears to have a slim and fit physique. He has dark brown hair and brown eyes, and often wears glasses. He also has several tattoos on his arms, including one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which he is a fan of.
Spitz’s physical appearance reflects his personality and interests. He is a creative and talented musician who has contributed to the thrash metal genre and the Christian music scene. He is also a skilled and passionate watchmaker who has earned Swiss degrees in luxury mechanical watchmaking and micro-mechanical engineering.
Dan Spitz Wiki/Bio
| Name | Dan Spitz |
| Birthday | January 28, 1963 |
| Age | 60 years old (as of 2023) |
| Birthplace | Rockland County, New York, U.S. |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Parents | Mr. Spitz (father), Mrs. Spitz (mother) |
| Siblings | Eight (four brothers and four sisters) |
| Wife | Candi Spitz |
| Marital status | Married |
| Children | Four (twin sons Brendan and Jaden, and two daughters Emily and Valentina) |
| Career | Musician, watchmaker, engineer |
| Net worth | Between $100,000 and $6 million |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Weight | 132 lbs (60 kg) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Education | Rockland Community College, WOSTEP |
| Alma mater | WOSTEP |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christianity / Messianic Judaism |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Education
Dan Spitz was interested in music from an early age and started playing guitar at the age of 11. He was influenced by guitarists like Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, and Michael Schenker. He attended Rockland Community College, where he studied jazz guitar and music theory. He also learned to play the violin, cello, and piano.
Spitz left college to pursue his music career and joined the thrash metal band Overkill in 1980. He later joined Anthrax in 1983 and became one of the most influential and talented guitarists of the genre. He recorded seven studio albums with Anthrax and was nominated for six Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance.
Spitz left Anthrax in 1995 and moved to Switzerland to pursue a career in luxury watchmaking. He attended the Swiss watchmaking school WOSTEP (Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program) on a full scholarship. He graduated as a Mechanical Complications Specialist, earning Swiss degrees in micro-mechanical engineering and watchmaking.
Social Media Profiles
Music Career
Overkill
Dan began his music career in 1980 when he joined the New Jersey-based thrash metal band Overkill as their lead guitarist. He was one of the founding members of the band, along with vocalist Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni. He played on the band’s first two demos, Power in Black and Feel the Fire, which were released in 1981 and 1982, respectively. He left the band in 1981, after a dispute with Ellsworth over the band’s musical direction. He moved to New York City, where he joined Anthrax in 1983.
Anthrax
Spitz replaced original guitarist Greg Walls, who was fired by the band’s founder and rhythm guitarist Scott Ian. Spitz became an integral part of Anthrax’s sound and style, contributing to their fast and aggressive riffs, solos, and harmonies. He also sang backing vocals and co-wrote some of the band’s songs.
Spitz recorded seven studio albums with Anthrax, from Fistful of Metal (1984) to Sound of White Noise (1993). He also appeared on several EPs, live albums, and compilations. Some of the band’s most popular and influential songs include “Madhouse”, “Caught in a Mosh”, “I Am the Law”, “Indians”, “Antisocial”, “Bring the Noise”, and “Only”. Anthrax sold more than 30 million albums worldwide during this period and became one of the leading forces of thrash metal. They also collaborated with other artists, such as Public Enemy, U2, and Alice in Chains.
Spitz left Anthrax in 1995, citing personal and musical differences. He moved to Switzerland and pursued a career in luxury watchmaking, attending the Swiss watchmaking school WOSTEP on a full scholarship. He graduated as a Mechanical Complications Specialist, earning Swiss degrees in micro-mechanical engineering and watchmaking. He also became a certified watchmaker instructor for the North American operations of the Swiss watch company Chopard. He opened his own luxury watch service, where he repaired and restored high-end timepieces.
Spitz returned to music in 2005, when he reunited with Anthrax for a classic lineup reunion tour. He appeared on the tour DVD Alive 2 and performed at several festivals and concerts around the world. He left the band again in 2007, stating that he wanted to focus on his family and watchmaking business. He also said that he was not happy with the direction and management of the band.
Red Lamb
In 2010, Spitz formed a new Christian rock/metal band called Red Lamb, which also included singer Don Chaffin from Voices of Extreme and keyboardist Chris Vrenna. The band’s self-titled debut album was released in 2012 and featured guest appearances by Dave Mustaine of Megadeth and Randy Blythe of Lamb of God. Mustaine also co-wrote some of the songs with Spitz, including “Puzzle Box”, which was claimed to be the first heavy metal song to deal with autism. The song’s video featured Bob and Suzanne Wright, co-founders of Autism Speaks, a non-profit organization that promotes awareness and research on autism spectrum disorders.
Other Projects
Spitz has also played in other bands, such as Overkill, DeuxMonkey, and Voices of Extreme. He has also collaborated with artists like Billy Sheehan, John Petrucci, and Mike Portnoy. He has also performed as a solo artist, releasing instrumental albums like Black Sabbath Tribute (2000) and The Dan Spitz Project (2009).
Family Background
Dan was born on January 28, 1963, in Rockland County, New York, as the second son of a lawyer and a high school substitute teacher. His father, Mr. Spitz, was a partner at a law firm and also a writer of legal books and articles. His mother, Mrs. Spitz, was a substitute teacher at various schools in the county. Spitz has eight siblings, four brothers and four sisters, who are all involved in different professions and fields.
Spitz comes from an orthodox Levite tribe Jewish family, which traces its ancestry back to the biblical tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Levites were the priests and temple servants of the ancient Israelites, and they had special religious and social roles and privileges. Spitz’s family followed the Jewish traditions and laws and celebrated the Jewish holidays and festivals. Spitz had a bar mitzvah ceremony when he turned 13, and he learned Hebrew and studied the Torah.
Spouse & Children
Spitz is married to Candi Spitz, a former model and actress. They have four children, twin boys named Brendan and Jaden, and two daughters named Emily and Valentina. Spitz’s twin sons are autistic, which inspired him to write songs about the condition and support Autism Speaks. Spitz is also a vegan and an animal rights activist. He has several tattoos, including a Star of David, a cross, and the names of his children.
Spitz has faced some legal troubles in his life. In 2007, he was arrested for domestic violence against his wife, but the charges were later dropped. In 2013, he was arrested again for allegedly choking his wife during an argument, but he was released without bail and the charges were dismissed. Spitz and his wife have denied the allegations and claimed that they were false and motivated by money.
Spitz is also a survivor of cancer. He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2010 and underwent surgery and radiation therapy. He has since recovered and resumed his music and watchmaking activities.
Achievements
Spitz is widely regarded as one of the most influential and talented guitarists of thrash metal. He has received several awards and honors for his work, such as:
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 as a member of Anthrax
- Ranked #81 on Guitar World’s list of “The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time” in 2004
- Ranked #28 on Joel McIver’s book “The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists” in 2009
- Nominated for six Grammy Awards with Anthrax for Best Metal Performance
- Won two Kerrang! Awards with Anthrax for Best Live Act and Spirit of Rock
Spitz is also a respected and successful watchmaker and engineer. He has worked on some of the most expensive and complicated watches in the world, such as:
- Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon
- Vacheron Constantin Tour de l’Ile
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore
- Richard Mille RM 027
- Rolex Daytona
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Dan Spitz is a successful and versatile artist who has earned his income from his music and watchmaking careers, as well as from endorsements and royalties. According to various sources, his net worth is estimated to be between $100,000 and $6 million, as of 2023.
Spitz is also a passionate and avid collector of high-end watches, which he considers as works of art and engineering. He has worked on some of the most expensive and complicated watches in the world, such as the Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon, the Vacheron Constantin Tour de l’Ile, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, the Richard Mille RM 027, and the Rolex Daytona.
