Ian Antono was born in Malang, East Java, Indonesia to Darmo Poesoko Djojo & Siti Marijani of Chinese-Indonesian Origin. 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.
Music Experiences
Earlier
In 1970, Ian Antono went to Jakarta 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.
Professional career
The first step into professionalmusic career was when he joined a legendary Indonesian band called God Bless with Achmad Albar, Donny Fattah, Yockie Suryoprayogo and Teddy Sujaya. With Ian, God Bless released Huma Di Atas Bukit, Cermin and Semut Hitam 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, Laskar and Prahara. 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.
Equipments
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 Hamer, 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.
His contributions and efforts in Indonesian music has made some Indonesian younger musicians to start a project called A Tribute 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 bandmate in God Bless.
