This web-page list people who have played an important role in the evolution of rock music as musician, producer, sound engineer, mastering engineer, artwork artist, photographer or just by hanging around.
Kai Hansen a German Singer and Guitar Player which got famous by performing in German 1st Tier bands like: Helloween , "Gamma Ray" , "Iron Fist" and other bands. He was born on 17 January 17 1963, in Hamburg, Germany.
Hansen began his music career in the early 1980s as the guitarist and vocalist of the band Gentry, which later evolved into Helloween. Helloween's debut album, "Walls of Jericho", was released in 1985 and helped to define the power metal genre. Hansen's guitar playing and songwriting were a significant part of the band's success, and he remained with the band until 1989.
In 1989, Hansen left Helloween to form his own band, "Gamma Ray"". The band's debut album, "Heading for Tomorrow", was released the same year and helped to establish Gamma Ray as one of the premier power metal bands. Hansen continued to lead the band and released numerous critically acclaimed albums with them throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
In addition to his work with Helloween and Gamma Ray, Hansen has also collaborated with other musicians, including "Blind Guardian" and Avantasia. He has also released solo albums under the name Kai Hansen.
Hansen's guitar playing is characterized by his technical proficiency and melodic sensibility. His solos are known for their emotional depth and expressiveness, and his songwriting often incorporates themes of science fiction and fantasy.
Hansen's influence on the power metal genre is significant, and he is widely regarded as one of the genre's most important figures. His contributions to Helloween and Gamma Ray have helped to define and shape power metal, and his work continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.
In addition to his music career, Hansen is also known for his love of motorcycles and is an avid rider. He continues to perform and record music with Gamma Ray and remains a prominent figure in the power metal scene.
Kalle Trapp (real name: Karl Heinz Trapp) a producer, sound engineer and musician from Germany, who worked from the Karo Musikstudio (Münster, Germany) and has been working for albums of "Angel Dust", "Blind Guardian", "Destruction", "Iron Angel", "Mad Max", Paganini, Paradox, Pestilence, Samain, Saxon, Sortilege and many others
Karat Faye a Music Producer and sound engineer, who worked with bands like: Max Havoc, Bloodlust and produced Megadeth's debut album: Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good".
Karl-Ulrich Walterbach founder and owner of "Noise" records ( Noise Records being a sub-label of Modern Music ). Producer and Executive producer of countless mainly Germany Heavy Metal albums.
Keith Nichol, Producer, Sound Engineer, ( Guest ) musician has been in-house producer for the NEAT Record label. He has been responsible for the production and sound engineering of many NWOBHM bands during the 1980s. Most notable these bands include: Atomkraft, Blitzkrieg, Fist, Raven, Venom, Warfare, and many others.
On Warfare's album "A Conflict of Hatred", Keith Nichol takes care of the production, sound engineering and as guest musician playing violin and keyboards.
Ken Adams ( Producer ) has produced albums for the Heavy Metal bands: "Gothic Slam", Exodus, Tension, Hades, "Mucky Pop" and was co-owner/founder of "Torrid Records ( together with Todd Gordon ).
Ken W. Kelly an American fantasy artist and illustrator. He was born on 19 May 1946, in New London, Connecticut, and is best known for his work in the fantasy genre, particularly for creating iconic cover art for various heavy metal albums and fantasy novels.
Some of his notable works include album covers for bands like Kiss, Manowar, and Rainbow, as well as book covers for authors such as Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs. He has also created artwork for comics, movie posters, and trading cards.
Ken Kelly is considered one of the most influential and successful fantasy artists of his time, and his work has had a significant impact on the development of the fantasy genre in popular culture.
Kerry King (real-name: Kerry Ray King) born in Los Angeles, California, June 1963, Guitarist and co-founder of the American Thrash Metal band Slayer. He has been performing with Slayer since 1981. During 1984 Kerry King performed as a substitute guitarist with the American Speed/Thrash Metal band " Megadeth ".
Kevin Ridley is a music producer, sound engineer and musician. He is from Newcastle On Tyre ( the center of the NWOBHM ) . During the 1980s he has produced / engineered music albums for bands heavy metal bands like Atomkraft, Cronos, Slutt, Tallion, Toronaga, Venom, War Machine.
Kim Ruzz
( real name: Kim Thyge Jensen) has been playing drums from 1981-1985 in the Danish Thrash metal band: " Mercyful Fate".Kim Bendix Petersen better known by his stage name King Diamond , is a Danish heavy metal musician. As a vocalist, he is known for his extensive vocal range, in particular his usage of falsetto. He started his career in 1974 with a band called Brainstorm and has since performed with "Black Rose", Brats, "Danger Zone", "Mercyful Fate" and the eponymous "King Diamond" band.
A brief timeline of King Diamond's career ( with bands he has performed with ) during the 1970s and 1980s
Klaus Meine a German singer and was born 1948, Hannover, Germany. He has been lead singer with the German Hard Rock / Heavy Metal band "Scorpions" since 1969. Meine is considered one of the greatest rock singers of all time and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He co-wrote many of the band's most famous songs, including "Wind of Change" and "Still Loving You". He is considered one of the most distinctive and powerful singers in the hard rock and heavy metal genres, and is known for his high-pitched tenor voice. Meine joined the Scorpions in 1969 and has been the band's lead singer ever since. He has also been involved in various solo projects and collaborations with other musicians throughout his career.
Meine made a guest-appearance on Michael Schenker's album "Rock Will Never Die".