Ian Antono
Encyclopedia
Jusuf Antono Djojo or Ian Antono (born October 29, 1950, Malang
, Indonesia
) is an Indonesia
n guitarist
and songwriter
. He has collaborated with many other musicians, including Anggun
, Iwan Fals
, Nicky Astria, Doel Sumbang, Gito Rollies, Ebiet G Ade and Ikang Fawzi, he is best-known as God Bless's lead guitarist since 1974. Other notable collaboration was Gong 2000, which was established in 1991 until 1996. Ian Antono also recognized as one of the very first rock
guitarists in Indonesia. In 1999, Ian Antono was invited in a Formula-1 event, which was also a collaboration with G3
(Joe Satriani
and Steve Vai
) and rock legends, Jethro Tull
.
, Indonesia to Indonesian father and mother. Originally, he was interested in drumming and began to learn to play drums
since his earlier years. However, later when he started to listen to The Shadows's music, he changed his mind and began to learn to play guitar.
and joined a band called Bentoel which was a session
band for singer Emilia Contessa and Trio The King. Later, his popularity was increased while he gained many experiences that made him join his present band, God Bless.He lived his life mostly as a balinese musician performing balinese orchestral music.
music career was when he joined a legendary Indonesian band called God Bless with Achmad Albar, Donny Fattah, Ian Antono, Yockie S. and Teddy Sujaya. With Ian, God Bless released Huma Di Atas Bukit (1975), Cermin (1980) and Semut Hitam (1989)and thanks to these albums, Ian's popularity jumped through the roof because at that time, rock music had not become an atmosphere
in Indonesian music. So while God Bless pioneered rock music in Indonesia, Ian Antono lead the way into a new rock guitarist world.
However, soon after God Bless'last album in 1989, Ian Antono decided to form a band called Gong 2000 and released three albums, Timur (1991), Laskar (1994) and Prahara (1996).
His style of playing in Gong 2000 was different compared to when he was with God Bless. With Gong 2000, Ian tried to include Balinese
music
into most of his songs. This was followed by including at least 20 Balinese Dancers in his performances. Later, Ian decided work together again with God Bless in 1997 with another Indonesian guitarist, Eet Sjahranie. This concept of duo guitarists grabbed media and listeners' attention although the album "Apa Kabar?" was not a commercial success.
Other than becoming a lead guitarist for God Bless and Gong 2000, Ian has also written songs for numerous other singers. Some of them are notable Indonesian artistes, including but not limited to, Iwan Fals, Anggun
, Nicky Astria, Doel Sumbang, Gito Rollies, and Ikang Fawzi. Moreover, many songs that he has arranged for other musicians have become some of the most popular songs of their time, like Zakia and Panggung Sandiwara.
, Kramer
Tracer, Fender Stratocaster
, Ibanez
JEM 77, Washburn
N-4, Gibson Les Paul
Deluxe, Ovation
Elite, Gibson Chat Atkins, Martin CMF, Martin EST 12 strings and Seagull. Back in the story when Ian met Steve Vai
at a Formula-1 event, Ian studied most Steve's equipments which he will not gain in Indonesia. Apparently, because of this reason, Ian has owned an Ibanez JEM77, a Steve Vai Ibanez series.
To Ian Antono, which later an album was released with the same name. Some of the younger bands involved were EdanE
, Sheila on 7
, Padi
, Gigi
, Cokelat
, Boomerang and /rif. Also there were many solo musicians involved, like Glenn Fredly
, Audy and Achmad Albar, his fellow bandmate in God Bless.
Malang
Malang is the second largest city in East Java province, Indonesia. It has an ancient history dating back to the Mataram Kingdom. The city population at the 2010 Census was 819,708. During the period of Dutch colonization, it was a popular destination for European residents. The city is famous for...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
) is an Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He has collaborated with many other musicians, including Anggun
Anggun
Anggun Cipta Sasmi is an Indonesian singer-songwriter. She has released 12 studio albums and one soundtrack album , and her songs have also been included on various compilation albums. Her musical career began in childhood, and she achieved commercial success in Indonesia when she was 12 years old...
, Iwan Fals
Iwan Fals
Iwan Fals is an Indonesian singer–songwriter. In 2002, Time magazine named him as a Great Asian Hero.-Early life:...
, Nicky Astria, Doel Sumbang, Gito Rollies, Ebiet G Ade and Ikang Fawzi, he is best-known as God Bless's lead guitarist since 1974. Other notable collaboration was Gong 2000, which was established in 1991 until 1996. Ian Antono also recognized as one of the very first rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
guitarists in Indonesia. In 1999, Ian Antono was invited in a Formula-1 event, which was also a collaboration with G3
G3 (tour)
G3 is a concert tour organized by guitarist Joe Satriani featuring him alongside two other guitarists. Since its inception in 1996, G3 has toured most years and has featured many guitarists, including Steve Vai , Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, Robert Fripp,...
(Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
and Steve Vai
Steve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
) and rock legends, Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
.
Childhood
Ian Antono was born in Malang, East JavaEast Java
East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and islands to its east and to its north East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and...
, Indonesia to Indonesian father and mother. Originally, he was interested in drumming and began to learn to play drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
since his earlier years. However, later when he started to listen to The Shadows's music, he changed his mind and began to learn to play guitar.
Earlier
In 1970, Ian Antono went to JakartaJakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
and joined a band called Bentoel which was a session
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
band for singer Emilia Contessa and Trio The King. Later, his popularity was increased while he gained many experiences that made him join his present band, God Bless.He lived his life mostly as a balinese musician performing balinese orchestral music.
Professional career
The first step into professionalProfessional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
music career was when he joined a legendary Indonesian band called God Bless with Achmad Albar, Donny Fattah, Ian Antono, Yockie S. and Teddy Sujaya. With Ian, God Bless released Huma Di Atas Bukit (1975), Cermin (1980) and Semut Hitam (1989)and thanks to these albums, Ian's popularity jumped through the roof because at that time, rock music had not become an atmosphere
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
in Indonesian music. So while God Bless pioneered rock music in Indonesia, Ian Antono lead the way into a new rock guitarist world.
However, soon after God Bless'last album in 1989, Ian Antono decided to form a band called Gong 2000 and released three albums, Timur (1991), Laskar (1994) and Prahara (1996).
His style of playing in Gong 2000 was different compared to when he was with God Bless. With Gong 2000, Ian tried to include Balinese
Balinese people
The Balinese population of 3.0 million live mostly on the island of Bali, making up 89% of the island's population. There are also significant populations on the island of Lombok, and in the eastern-most regions of Java The Balinese population of 3.0 million (1.5% of Indonesia's population) live...
music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
into most of his songs. This was followed by including at least 20 Balinese Dancers in his performances. Later, Ian decided work together again with God Bless in 1997 with another Indonesian guitarist, Eet Sjahranie. This concept of duo guitarists grabbed media and listeners' attention although the album "Apa Kabar?" was not a commercial success.
Other than becoming a lead guitarist for God Bless and Gong 2000, Ian has also written songs for numerous other singers. Some of them are notable Indonesian artistes, including but not limited to, Iwan Fals, Anggun
Anggun
Anggun Cipta Sasmi is an Indonesian singer-songwriter. She has released 12 studio albums and one soundtrack album , and her songs have also been included on various compilation albums. Her musical career began in childhood, and she achieved commercial success in Indonesia when she was 12 years old...
, Nicky Astria, Doel Sumbang, Gito Rollies, and Ikang Fawzi. Moreover, many songs that he has arranged for other musicians have become some of the most popular songs of their time, like Zakia and Panggung Sandiwara.
Guitars
During his professional career, Ian has used so many guitars and he often varied the guitar that he uses. Some of the guitar models he has used are HamerHamer
Hamer may refer to:People with the surname Hamer:*Hamer In places:* Hamer, Idaho* Hamer, South CarolinaOther:* Hamer people, who live in Ethiopia* Hamer language, language of the Hamer people...
, Kramer
Kramer
-People:*Kramer , a musician and record producer.Fictional* Cosmo Kramer, a character from the American sitcom Seinfeld, usually referred to as just "Kramer".For other people, real or fictional, with the last name of "Kramer", see Kramer...
Tracer, Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
, Ibanez
Ibanez
is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass produce...
JEM 77, Washburn
Washburn Guitars
Washburn Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer. It was established in 1883 in Chicago, Illinois. Washburn is a part of U.S. Music Corporation.- History :...
N-4, Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
Deluxe, Ovation
Ovation
The ovation was a lower form of the Roman triumph. Ovations were granted, when war was not declared between enemies on the level of states, when an enemy was considered basely inferior or when the general conflict was resolved with little to no bloodshed or danger to the army itself.The general...
Elite, Gibson Chat Atkins, Martin CMF, Martin EST 12 strings and Seagull. Back in the story when Ian met Steve Vai
Steve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
at a Formula-1 event, Ian studied most Steve's equipments which he will not gain in Indonesia. Apparently, because of this reason, Ian has owned an Ibanez JEM77, a Steve Vai Ibanez series.
Amplifiers
- Mesa BoogieMesa BoogieMesa/Boogie is a company in Petaluma, California that makes amplifiers for guitars and basses. It has been in operation since 1969....
Strategy 400 - MarshallMarshall AmplificationMarshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
JCM 900 1960 - Trace ElliotTrace ElliotTrace Elliot is a United Kingdom-based bass amplification manufacturer, and has a sub-brand, Trace Acoustic, for acoustic instruments.-History:...
AC-100 - Mesa Boogie Quad
- Mesa Boogie Tri Axis
Awards
- BASF Award (1987–1988) for the best arranger and composer Terbaik for an album called Gersang (Nicky Astria).
- HDX Award (1989) for the song Buku Ini Aku Pinjam (Iwan Fals).
- BAFS Award (1989) For the album Bara Timur (Gong 2000) as The Best Selling Album and The Best Arranger & Composer.
- HDX Award (1994) for the album Laskar (Gong 2000) as The Best Album.
- Diamond Achievement Award (1995) for his dedication and success in music industry.
Tribute
His contributions and efforts in Indonesian music has made some Indonesian younger musicians to start a project called A TributeTribute
A tribute is wealth, often in kind, that one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. Various ancient states, which could be called suzerains, exacted tribute from areas they had conquered or threatened to conquer...
To Ian Antono, which later an album was released with the same name. Some of the younger bands involved were EdanE
Edane
Edane is a locality situated in Arvika Municipality, Värmland County, Sweden with 742 inhabitants in 2005....
, Sheila on 7
Sheila on 7
Sheila on 7 is the name of a popular rock Indonesian music band from Yogyakarta.They had changed their formation several times since their formation on the 6th May 1996....
, Padi
Padi (band)
Padi is an Indonesian alternative pop/rock band. When the band formed on April 8, 1997, all of its members were still studying at Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia...
, Gigi
Gigi (band)
Gigi itself is named after the laugh members of the group had after the name "Orang Utan" nearly was decided as the name of the band.-History:Aria Baron, Thomas Ramadan, Ronald Sristisnto, Dewa Budjana and Armand Maulana...
, Cokelat
Cokelat
Cokelat is Indonesian band formed in Bandung, in 1996. They have released seven albums. The current members are Sarah , Ernest , Edwin and Ronny .-Career:...
, Boomerang and /rif. Also there were many solo musicians involved, like Glenn Fredly
Glenn Fredly
Glenn Fredly Deviano Latuihamallo is an Indonesian R&B singer and songwriter. Entering the music industry after winning a singing contest in 1995, as of 2009 he has released 10 albums.-Biography:...
, Audy and Achmad Albar, his fellow bandmate in God Bless.