Janick Gers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janick Gers
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Gers performing at the O2 Arena in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Janick Robert Gers |
| Born | 27 January 1957 Hartlepool, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Years active | 1975–present |
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Janick Robert Gers (born 27 January 1957) is an English guitarist. He is famous for being one of the three guitarists in the heavy metal band Iron Maiden. He joined the band in 1990 to take over from Adrian Smith. When Smith returned to the band in 1999, Gers stayed, and Iron Maiden has had three guitarists ever since.
Before Iron Maiden, Gers was a founding member of the band White Spirit in 1975. He also played in a band called Gillan.
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Musical Career
Early Bands
Janick Gers started his music career as the main guitarist for White Spirit. This band was part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. He played on their first album in 1980.
In 1981, he left White Spirit to join the band Gillan. The band was started by Ian Gillan, the singer from Deep Purple. Gers' first show with Gillan was on the famous TV show Top of the Pops. He recorded two albums with them before the band broke up in late 1982.
After Gillan, Gers went to college to study humanities. He then joined a group called Gogmagog. This band included two former members of Iron Maiden, singer Paul Di'Anno and drummer Clive Burr. However, the project didn't last long.
Working with Bruce Dickinson
In 1989, Gers was asked to work with Iron Maiden's singer, Bruce Dickinson. He helped record the song "Bring Your Daughter... to the ..." for the movie A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child. This led to them working together on Dickinson's first solo album, Tattooed Millionaire (1990).
Joining Iron Maiden
While they were making Tattooed Millionaire, Gers was invited to join Iron Maiden. He replaced guitarist Adrian Smith. Gers has been in the band ever since. Even when Adrian Smith came back in 1999, Gers stayed. He has played on ten of Iron Maiden's studio albums.
Playing Style and Stage Presence
Gers is known for his raw and powerful guitar sound. He often uses a technique called alternate picking, which gives his music a sharp, clear sound. His biggest musical heroes are guitarists Ritchie Blackmore, Jeff Beck, and Rory Gallagher.
On stage, Gers is famous for his high-energy performances. He often dances, runs around, and does tricks with his guitar, like throwing it in the air and catching it. Sometimes his tricks lead to accidents. Once, he lost his grip and his guitar flew off the stage! Another time, he tripped and fell, which worried his bandmates.
An interesting fact about Gers is that he is left-handed but plays the guitar right-handed. You can see him signing autographs with his left hand in the Rock in Rio concert video.
Personal Life
Gers went to English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College. After his time in the band Gillan, he earned a college degree in sociology and English literature. He and his wife Sandra have two children. His son, Dylan, is also a guitarist.
Gers's father, Bolesław, was from Poland. He was a sailor in the Polish Navy during World War II. He came to England on a ship and later joined the British Royal Navy. After the war, he stayed in England and married Janick's mother. Janick is the oldest of their four children.
As a teenager, Gers often visited his relatives in Poland. He even bought his first guitar there. In 2011, he met his Polish family again after 34 years at an Iron Maiden concert in Warsaw.
Gers is a big fan of his local football team, Hartlepool United. He even has a season ticket to watch their games.
Musical Equipment
Gers loves to play the Fender Stratocaster guitar. He usually uses black or white ones. His favorite is a black Stratocaster that was a gift from singer Ian Gillan. He also sometimes uses a Gibson Chet Atkins acoustic guitar for certain songs.
For his sound, Gers uses Marshall amplifiers. He doesn't use foot pedals to change his sound during a show. Instead, his guitar technician manages the sound changes for him from offstage.
Discography
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See also
In Spanish: Janick Gers para niños
