Janick Gers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janick Gers
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Gers at O2 Arena in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Janick Robert Gers |
| Born | 27 January 1957 Hartlepool, England |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Years active | 1975–present |
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Janick Robert Gers (born January 27, 1957) is an English musician. He is famous for being one of the three guitarists in the heavy metal band Iron Maiden. He joined the band in 1990.
Janick first joined Iron Maiden to replace another guitarist, Adrian Smith. But even after Adrian came back to the band in 1999, Janick stayed. Before Iron Maiden, Janick was a member of the band Gillan. He also helped start the band White Spirit in 1975.
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Janick Gers' Music Career
Janick Gers started his music journey as the lead guitarist for a band called White Spirit. They were part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal music style. He played on their first album in 1980.
In 1981, he left White Spirit to join the band Gillan. This band was formed by Ian Gillan, who used to be the singer for Deep Purple. Janick's first show with Gillan was on a TV show called Top of the Pops. He recorded two albums with them before the band broke up in late 1982.
After Gillan and Solo Work
After Gillan disbanded, Janick went to college to study Humanities. Later, he joined a project called Gogmagog. This group included former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno. However, this project did not last long.
In 1990, Janick played guitar on a song called "View from the Hill." This song was on the first solo album by Fish, who was the singer for the band Marillion.
In 1989, Janick was asked to record a song with Bruce Dickinson. Bruce is the singer for Iron Maiden. The song was for a movie soundtrack. This project then grew into Bruce Dickinson's first solo album, called Tattooed Millionaire.
Joining Iron Maiden
While Janick was recording Tattooed Millionaire with Bruce Dickinson, he got a big offer. He was asked to join Iron Maiden! He took the place of Adrian Smith. Janick has been with Iron Maiden ever since. He even stayed after Adrian Smith rejoined the band in 1999. Janick has played on ten studio albums with Iron Maiden.
Janick Gers' Guitar Style and Stage Show
Janick Gers has a unique way of playing guitar. He uses a lot of distortion, which makes his guitar sound very raw and powerful. He often picks each note separately instead of sliding his fingers to make sounds.
Janick's favorite guitar players who influenced him are Ritchie Blackmore, Jeff Beck, and Rory Gallagher.
Energetic Performances
Janick is known for his very energetic performances on stage. He often dances, prances, and does tricks with his guitar. He might even throw his guitar into the air and catch it!
Sometimes, his energetic moves have led to funny accidents. Once, his guitar flew off the stage during a trick. Another time, he fell hard to the ground while strutting around. His bandmate Adrian Smith looked quite worried!
Janick is actually left-handed, but he plays the guitar with his right hand. You can see him signing autographs with his left hand in the Rock in Rio DVD.
Janick Gers is considered one of the greatest metal guitarists of all time. He shares fourth place on Metal Hammer's list with his Iron Maiden bandmates, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith.
Janick Gers' Life Outside Music
Janick Gers went to English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College in the 1970s. After leaving the band Gillan in the 1980s, he earned a college degree in sociology and English literature.
He lives in Yarm, Teesside, with his wife Sandra. They have two children. His son, Dylan, also plays guitar and makes music.
Family History
Janick's father, Bolesław, was from Poland. He was a sailor in the Polish Navy. He came to England during World War 2 on a ship. After the war, he stayed in England and married Janick's British mother, Louise, in 1956. They had four children, and Janick is the oldest.
Janick has relatives in Poland and used to visit them often as a teenager. He even bought his first guitar during one of these trips in Poland. He met his Polish family again in 2011 at a concert in Warsaw, after 34 years!
Janick is a big fan of the football team Hartlepool United. He has a season ticket to watch their games.
In 1990, Janick had a small, uncredited role in a TV show called The Paradise Club. He played the lead guitarist in a band. He also appeared in a fan-made Iron Maiden movie called Maiden Heaven in 2010.
Janick Gers' Musical Gear
Janick Gers really likes Fender Stratocaster guitars. His guitars are usually black or white. They have special pickups that help create his sound. His favorite guitar was a black Stratocaster given to him by Ian Gillan. He uses four different Fender Stratocasters on stage. He also uses a Gibson Chet Atkins semi-acoustic guitar for some songs. Janick is supported by Sandberg Guitars and uses their models on stage.
Like his bandmates, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, Janick uses Marshall amps. He prefers not to use foot-switches while playing. Instead, his roadie (a person who helps with equipment) controls his gear from offstage. Janick usually uses cables for his guitar, but he uses a wireless system when he throws his guitar around! He uses Ernie Ball guitar strings.
Discography
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See also
In Spanish: Janick Gers para niños
