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{{Short description|English guitarist}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Janick Gers
| image             = IronMaidO2110818-19 (46210398585) (cropped).jpg
| caption           = Gers at O2 Arena in 2018
| birth_name        = Janick Robert Gers
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1957|1|27}}
| birth_place       = [[Hartlepool]], England
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}}
| alias             = 
| occupation        = Guitarist
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]|[[progressive rock]]|[[hard rock]]}}
| associated_acts   = {{hlist|[[Iron Maiden]]|[[White Spirit (band)|White Spirit]]|[[Gillan (band)|Gillan]]|[[Gogmagog (band)|Gogmagog]]|[[Fish (singer)|Fish]]|[[Bruce Dickinson]]}}
| years_active      = 1975–present
| website           = 
}}

'''Janick Robert Gers''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|j|æ|n|ɪ|k|_|ˈ|ɡ|ɜːr|z}}; born 27 January 1957) is an English musician who is best known as one of the three guitarists in [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Iron Maiden]] since 1990. He initially joined to replace [[Adrian Smith (musician)  |Adrian Smith]], but remained in the band after Smith rejoined in 1999.  Gers was previously a member of [[Gillan (band)|Gillan]] and co-founder of the band [[White Spirit (band)|White Spirit]] in 1975.

==Career==
Gers began his career as the lead guitarist of the [[new wave of British heavy metal]] band [[White Spirit (band)|White Spirit]], appearing on their debut self-titled album in 1980, before leaving in 1981 to join [[Gillan_(band)|Gillan]], replacing [[Bernie Torme]] in the group formed by then-former [[Deep Purple]] vocalist [[Ian Gillan]].<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years"/> Gers' first performance with Gillan was on ''[[Top of the Pops]]'', and he would go on to record two albums with the band before Gillan disbanded the group at the end of 1982. 

After Gillan disbanded, and before joining [[Gogmagog (band)|Gogmagog]] Gers undertook a Humanities degree so he could become a [[Teacher]]. However, Gers joined Gogmagog which included former Iron Maiden vocalist [[Paul Di'Anno]] and drummer [[Clive Burr]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=280}} The project would ultimately come to nothing.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=280}} Gers would later co-write and perform on the track "View from the Hill" on former [[Marillion]] vocalist [[Fish (singer)|Fish]]'s first solo album, ''[[Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors]]'' (1990).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bryanreesman.com/2010/08/17/iron-maidens-janick-gers-talks-festivals-fish-and-the-final-frontier/|title=Iron Maiden's Janick Gers Talks Festivals, Fish and The Final Frontier|first=Bryan|last=Reesman|work=bryanreesman.com|date=17 August 2010|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> Gers was asked to record the song "[[Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter]]" with [[Iron Maiden]] vocalist [[Bruce Dickinson]] for the soundtrack to ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child]]'' (1989);{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=281}} this project then expanded into Dickinson's first solo album, ''[[Tattooed Millionaire]]'' (1990).{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=281}}

During the recording of ''Tattooed Millionaire'', Gers was asked to join Iron Maiden in place of [[Adrian Smith (musician)  |Adrian Smith]].<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">{{cite book| first= John| last= Tobler| year= 1992| title= NME Rock 'N' Roll Years| edition= 1st| publisher= Reed International Books Ltd| location= London| page= 468| id= CN 5585}}</ref> He has remained with the band ever since, even after Smith rejoined the band in 1999,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=331}} contributing to a total of ten studio albums.

==Influences, musical style and performance style==
Gers' playing style uses heavy distortion and is noted for having a very raw tone. He prefers alternate picking instead of playing legato using hammers and pull-offs. Gers' main influences are [[Ritchie Blackmore]], [[Jeff Beck]] and [[Rory Gallagher]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=277}} 

He is noted for his energetic stage presence,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2012/08/live_review_8312_iron_maiden_a.php |title=Live Review, 8/3/12: Iron Maiden Dominates Shoreline |access-date=14 August 2012 |last=Pehling |first=Dave |date=6 August 2012 |newspaper=[[SF Weekly]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813175217/http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2012/08/live_review_8312_iron_maiden_a.php |archive-date=13 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Darryl |last=Sterdan |title=Iron Maiden by the numbers at MTS |date=25 July 2012 |url=http://www.winnipegsun.com/2012/07/25/iron-maiden-by-the-numbers-at-mts |work=[[Winnipeg Sun]] |access-date=18 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511034846/http://www.winnipegsun.com/2012/07/25/iron-maiden-by-the-numbers-at-mts |archive-date=11 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Collins |title=Iron Maiden takes fans on a rampage down memory lane |date=30 July 2012 |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/iron-maiden-takes-fans-on-a-rampage-down-memory-lane/ |work=[[CTV News]] |access-date=1 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805072828/http://bc.ctvnews.ca/iron-maiden-takes-fans-on-a-rampage-down-memory-lane-1.897760 |archive-date=5 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> which often involves dancing, prancing, and performing tricks with his guitar, such as throwing it into the air and catching it.<ref name= "Main Fender Strat">{{cite web | url = http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=27&#gallery | title = Janick Gers' Main Fender Strat (closeup) | access-date = 29 September 2011 | date = November 2010 | work = [[Premier Guitar]] | archive-date = 7 July 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120707133143/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=27&#gallery | url-status = dead }}</ref>
Gers is known for his dynamic on-stage performances, which have occasionally led to mishaps. In one instance, his guitar was catapulted off-stage during one of his antics after losing control of its neck.<ref>name="Guitar Incident"{{cite web |last1=Maxwell |first1=Jackson |title=Watch Janick Gers accidentally toss his guitar into the crowd during an Iron Maiden show in San Antonio |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/watch-janick-gers-accidentally-toss-his-guitar-into-the-crowd-during-an-iron-maiden-show-in-san-antonio |website=Guitar World |date=30 September 2019 |access-date=25 April 2024}}</ref> On another occasion, he risked serious injury by losing his footing while strutting on stage, falling violently to the ground, which caused apparent concern from bandmate Adrian Smith.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-iron-maidens-janick-gers-falls-on-stage-during-mexico-city-concert | title = Watch: IRON MAIDEN's JANICK GERS Falls On Stage During Mexico City Concert | accessdate = 27 November 2024 |date=22 November 2024 | work = blabbermouth.net}}</ref>
He is also left-handed although he plays guitar right-handed; he can be seen signing autographs with his left hand in the ''[[Rock in Rio (album)|Rock in Rio]]'' DVD.

Along with [[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]] and [[Adrian Smith (musician)  |Adrian Smith]] (also Iron Maiden guitarists), he shares fourth place on ''[[Metal Hammer]]'''s list of the greatest metal guitarists of all time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/20-greatest-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/2|title=Lords of the riff: The greatest metal guitarists of all time|lang=en|first1=Dom|last1=Lawson|website=louder|date=2019-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518125942/https://www.loudersound.com/features/20-greatest-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/2|archive-date=2024-05-18|access-date=2024-07-15|url-status=live|last2=Wall|first2=Mick|last3=published|first3=Metal Hammer}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Gers graduated from [[English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College]] in the 1970s, and earned a college degree in sociology and English literature after leaving Gillan in the 1980s. He has two children with his wife Sandra, and lives in [[Yarm|Yarm, Teesside]]. His son Dylan also plays guitar and has released ambient post rock tracks as both a solo artist and with Noah Yorke, son of [[Radiohead]] singer [[Thom Yorke]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/sons-of-iron-maidens-janick-gers-and-radioheads-thom-yorke-release-new-collaborative-single-red-skies | title=Sons of IRON MAIDEN's JANICK GERS and RADIOHEAD's THOM YORKE Release New Collaborative Single 'Red Skies' | date=2 December 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last1 = Iron Maiden | title = From Here to Eternity Booklet | title-link = From Fear to Eternity (album) | chapter = Iron Maiden Thank}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/iron-maiden-fan-auctions-guitar-1402685 | title = Iron Maiden fan auctions guitar for charity | access-date = 17 September 2011 | quote = "...and has become friends with the band's guitarist, Janick Gers, who lives in Yarm, Teesside." | date = 11 August 2011 | work = [[Evening Chronicle]] | location = [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]}}</ref> 

Gers has [[Poland|Polish]] ancestry via his father, Bolesław,<ref>Tees Valley Birth Marriage & Death indexes.</ref> who was an able seaman of the [[Polish Navy]] and served on [[ORP Burza]] and [[ORP Błyskawica]] on which he came to England during [[World War II|World War 2]], and later he joined the [[Royal Navy]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=276}} Bolesław Gers remained in England after the war, married Janick's British mother Lois in 1956 and had 4 children of which Janick is the oldest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wyborcza.pl |url=https://bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl/bydgoszcz/7,48722,9758648,przyszly-gitarzysta-iron-maiden-bal-sie-burzy-skad-sie-wzial.html?disableRedirects=true |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl}}</ref>

Gers has relatives in the [[Bydgoszcz]] area<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whatnext.pl/iron-maiden-ciekawostki-o-zespole/|title=Iron Maiden - ciekawostki o zespole|date=2015-03-31|website=WhatNext.pl|language=pl-PL|access-date=2019-03-16}}</ref> and [[Sośno]] village in [[Poland]] and visited them regularly as a teenager from 1972 and until 1977.<ref name="wyborcza">{{Cite web|url=http://bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl/bydgoszcz/1,35590,9758648,Przyszly_gitarzysta_Iron_Maiden__bal_sie_burzy___Skad.html?disableRedirects=true|title=Przyszły gitarzysta Iron Maiden "bał się burzy". Skąd się wziął w Sośnie Janick Gers?|website=bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl|access-date=2019-03-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gitarzysta Iron Maiden spędzał wakacje pod Bydgoszczą |url=https://bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl/bydgoszcz/56,35590,9755773,Gitarzysta_Iron_Maiden_spedzal_wakacje_pod_Bydgoszcza,,ga.html |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl |date=9 June 2011 |language=pl}}</ref> Gers bought his first guitar during one of those visits, in a music store in [[Złotów]] close to [[Piła]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl/bydgoszcz/1,48722,9771229,Gitarzysta_Iron_Maiden_rodzine_spotkal_po_34_latach.html?disableRedirects=true|title=Gitarzysta Iron Maiden rodzinę spotkał po 34 latach|website=bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl|access-date=2019-03-16}}</ref> Gers met his Polish family again after 34 years at a 2011 concert in Warsaw.<ref name="wyborcza" />

Gers is a fan of [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] and is a season-ticket holder in the [[Neale Cooper]] Stand at [[Victoria Park (Hartlepool)|Victoria Park]].

Gers had an uncredited part in the BBC drama ''[[The Paradise Club]]'' in 1990, appearing as the lead guitarist of a band called Fraud Squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bookofhours.net/bdwbn/acting.htm |title=Bruce Dickinson, the actor |access-date=17 September 2011 |quote=In the studio we see "Fraud squad" which are, Janick Gers on guitar, Andy Carr, bass and Dickie Flitzar on drums, i.e. the band that Bruce used on the 1990 solo tour. |publisher=Bookofhours.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402132743/http://www.bookofhours.net/bdwbn/acting.htm |archive-date= 2 April 2012 }}</ref> He appeared in the 2010 fan-made Iron Maiden documentary ''Maiden Heaven''.

==Musical equipment==
Gers is a long-time proponent of the [[Fender Stratocaster]]. His guitars are typically black or white with rosewood fingerboards and [[Seymour Duncan]] JB Jr. and Hot Rails pick-ups.<ref name= "Main Fender Strat"/><ref name= "black strat"/> His favourite guitar over the years has been a black Stratocaster, equipped with JB Jr. pick-ups,<ref name= "black strat">{{cite web | url = http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=31&#gallery | title = Janick Gers' Black Fender Strat | access-date = 29 September 2011 | date = November 2010 | work = [[Premier Guitar]] | archive-date = 20 January 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110120212718/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=31&#gallery | url-status = dead }}</ref> which was given to him by Ian Gillan.<ref name="deathontheroaddvd"/> Gers uses four different Fender Stratocasters, as well as a [[Gibson Chet Atkins SST|Gibson Chet Atkins]] semi-acoustic model for songs such as "Dance of Death".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=28&#gallery | title = Janick Gers' Gibson Chet Atkins Acoustic/Electric | access-date = 29 September 2011 | date = November 2010 | work = [[Premier Guitar]] | archive-date = 30 June 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120630071640/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=28&#gallery | url-status = dead }}</ref> Gers is currently endorsed by Sandberg Guitars, and he uses a California ST-S tobacco hc-aged and a California ST-S creme hc-aged model on stage.<ref name=Sandberg >{{cite web|url=http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/artists/great-britain/441-gers-janick|title=Janick Gers at Sandberg Guitars|publisher=Sandberg Guitars|access-date=12 February 2012|archive-date=23 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423124055/http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/artists/great-britain/441-gers-janick|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Like his bandmates, [[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=23&#gallery | title = Dave Murray's Rack | access-date = 29 September 2011 | date = November 2010 | work = [[Premier Guitar]] | archive-date = 30 June 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120630090350/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=23&#gallery | url-status = dead }}</ref> and [[Adrian Smith (musician)  |Adrian Smith]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=11&#gallery | title = Adrian Smith's Rack | access-date = 29 September 2011 | date = November 2010 | work = [[Premier Guitar]] | archive-date = 7 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121007034232/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=11&#gallery | url-status = dead }}</ref> Gers currently uses the [[Marshall Amplification|Marshall]] JMP-1 preamp through a Marshall 9200 power amp.<ref name= "MIDI">{{cite web | url = http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=33&#gallery | title = Janick Gers' MIDI Foot Controller | access-date = 29 September 2011 | date = November 2010 | work = [[Premier Guitar]] | archive-date = 7 July 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120707132358/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=33&#gallery | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name= "rack">{{cite web | url = http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=32&#gallery | title = Janick Gers' Rack | access-date = 29 September 2011 | date = November 2010 | work = [[Premier Guitar]] | archive-date = 7 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121007034039/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=32&#gallery | url-status = dead }}</ref> Preferring not to use foot-switches while playing, Gers' roadie operates his MIDI Foot Controller offstage.<ref name= "MIDI"/> Favouring cables, Gers only uses a Shure UR4D wireless system when he throws his guitar around.<ref name= "rack"/> He uses [[Ernie Ball]] Regular Slinky nickel-wound guitar strings.<ref name="deathontheroaddvd">{{cite video|date= 6 February 2006|title=[[Death on the Road]] | chapter = Documentary| medium=DVD|publisher=[[EMI]]}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
;Iron Maiden
{{Main|Iron Maiden discography}}
*''[[No Prayer for the Dying]]'' (1990)
*''[[Fear of the Dark (Iron Maiden album)|Fear of the Dark]]'' (1992)
*''[[The X Factor (album)|The X Factor]]'' (1995)
*''[[Virtual XI]]'' (1998)
*''[[Brave New World (Iron Maiden album)|Brave New World]]'' (2000)
*''[[Dance of Death (album)|Dance of Death]]'' (2003)
*''[[A Matter of Life and Death (album)|A Matter of Life and Death]]'' (2006)
*''[[The Final Frontier]]'' (2010)
*''[[The Book of Souls]]'' (2015)
*''[[Senjutsu (album)|Senjutsu]]'' (2021)

;White Spirit
*''White Spirit'' (1980)
{{Col-break}}
;Gillan
*''[[Double Trouble (Gillan album)|Double Trouble]]'' (1981)
*''[[Magic (Gillan album)|Magic]]'' (1982)

;Gogmagog
*''[[I Will Be There (EP)|I Will Be There]]'' (EP) (1985)

;Fish
*''[[Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors]]'' (1990)

;Bruce Dickinson
*''[[Tattooed Millionaire]]'' (1990)

;Ian Gillan
*''[[Gillan's Inn]]'' (2006)
{{Col-break}}

[[File:Iron Maiden en Costa Rica.jpg|thumb|300px|Gers (right) performing with Dave Murray (center) and Adrian Smith (left) in Costa Rica.]]
{{col-end}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book
|last = Wall
|first = Mick
|author-link=Mick Wall
|title = Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography
|edition = third
|publisher = Sanctuary Publishing
|year = 2004
|isbn = 1-86074-542-3
}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.ironmaiden.com/ Iron Maiden's official website]
* {{imdb name|1172141|Janick Gers}}
* {{Allmusic|class=artist|id=mn0000213116}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120815113428/http://vintage.guitargeek.com/rigview/352 Gers' 2000 Iron Maiden Guitar Rig]. GuitarGeek.com

{{IronMaiden}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gers, Janick}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:20th-century English guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century English guitarists]]
[[Category:English people of Polish descent]]
[[Category:English heavy metal guitarists]]
[[Category:English rock guitarists]]
[[Category:Gogmagog (band) members]]
[[Category:Iron Maiden members]]
[[Category:British rhythm guitarists]]
[[Category:English lead guitarists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People educated at English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College]]
[[Category:People from Hartlepool]]
[[Category:White Spirit (band) members]]
[[Category:Gillan (band) members]]
[[Category:Bruce Dickinson band members]]