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{{short description|Australian musician}}
{{cleanup|August 2006}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ian Rilen
| image = Ian Rilen Playing an electric guitar.jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption =
| birth_name = Ian William Rilen
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1947|08|12}}
| birth_place = [[Bendigo]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2006|10|30|1947|08|12}}
| death_place = [[Melbourne]], Victoria, Australia
| instrument = {{hlist|Bass|guitar|vocals}}
| background = solo_singer
| genre = {{hlist|[[Blues rock]]|[[hard rock]]|[[punk rock]]|[[post-punk]]}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|songwriter}}
| years_active = 1971–2006
| label = {{hlist|[[Warner Music Group|WEA]]|[[Albert Productions|Alberts]]}}
| associated_acts = Lotus, Space, [[Band of Light]], Blue Aliens, [[Blackfeather]], [[Rose Tattoo]], [[X (Australian band)|X]], [[Sardine v]], Illustrated Man, The Big Rider, Hell to Pay, Skindiver, Love Addicts
| website =
}}
'''Ian William Rilen''' (12 August 1947{{spaced ndash}}30 October 2006) was an Australian musician. He was bass guitarist and songwriter with [[rock and roll]] band [[Rose Tattoo]], and led [[punk rock]] group [[X (Australian band)|X]] on guitar and vocals. Rilen was born in [[Bendigo, Victoria|Bendigo]], Victoria, started his musical career in Sydney and later lived in [[Melbourne]].


Rilen was a member of 1970s progressive blues group [[Band of Light]] and other bands, including Space, Blue Aliens, [[Blackfeather]], [[Sardine v]], Hell to Pay, Skindiver and Illustrated Men. Rilen wrote one of Rose Tattoo's biggest hits, "[[Bad Boy for Love]]", and co-wrote "Stuck on You" with his first wife Stephanie Falconer, which was covered by [[Hunters & Collectors]]. Rilen was diagnosed with [[bladder cancer]] early in 2006 and died on 30 October, aged 59.
'''Ian Rilen''' is an [[List of Australian musicians|Australian musician]], most noted for his work with [[X (Australian band)|X]]. Other bands he has been in include [[Sardine v]] and [[Rose Tattoo]]. He started his career in [[Sydney]] and now lives in [[Melbourne]].


==External links==
==Biography==
Ian William Rilen was born on 12 August 1947 in [[Bendigo, Victoria]] to Jean and William Rilen. He grew up in [[Torquay, Victoria|Torquay]] and became a surfer.<ref name="Brown"/>


After various jobs including window dresser, screen printer and sign writer, Rilen turned to a career in music.<ref name="Brown"/> He played in [[progressive rock]] band, Lotus including at the [[Myponga, South Australia|Myponga]] Festival in January–February 1971. He then joined Space during 1971–1972.<ref name="ARDbIR"/><ref name="McFBoL"/>
*[http://www.ianrilen.com/ Official home page]
*[http://www.i94bar.com/ints/rilen.html Ian Rilen] (I-94 Bar)


Rilen was bass guitarist for [[Band of Light]] during 1972–1974. The progressive blues group formed in Sydney but relocated to Melbourne, and released two albums, ''Total Union'' (1973) and ''The Archer'' (1974) (both on [[Warner Music Group|WEA Records]]).<ref name="McFBoL"/><ref name="ARDbBoL"/> They had a No.&nbsp;18 hit single on the ''[[Go-Set]]'' top&nbsp;40 with "Destiny Song" in July 1973.<ref name="GoSetDestiny"/> ''Total Union'' peaked at No.&nbsp;14 on ''Go-Set'''s top&nbsp;20 albums chart in September.<ref name="GoSetUnion"/> Rilen left in mid-1974 and the band broke up by year's end.<ref name="McFBoL"/>
At Cook Road, Centennial Park, 1978. A few nights with the Rilens:


During 1975, he teamed with former bandmate, [[slide guitar]]ist, Norm Roue (ex-Lotus, Band of Light), in the short-lived Blue Aliens with Roy Johnson.<ref name="ARDbIR"/> Late in 1975, he joined [[Blackfeather]] which previously had hits with "Seasons of Change" (No.&nbsp;15, 1971) and "Boppin' the Blues" (No.&nbsp;1, 1972).<ref name="ARDbIR"/><ref name="GoSetBlackfeather"/>
We were just like dreamers
Dreaming, in the sun
Situations ever-changing,
Changing everyone.


===Rose Tattoo===
We were just like lovers
[[Rose Tattoo]] was formed in Sydney in 1976 with Leigh Johnston on rhythm guitar, Tony Lake on lead vocals. and led by [[Peter Wells (guitarist)|Peter Wells]], who had just departed as bass guitarist of [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Buffalo (band)|Buffalo]]. Drummer Michael Vandersluys completed the line-up.<ref name="McFRT"/><ref name="ARDbRT"/> Rilen joined on bass guitar to allow Wells to concentrate on his slide guitar.<ref name="Howl"/> Rhythm guitarist [[Mick Cocks]] soon replaced Johnston; Lake and Vandersluys were substituted by former Buster Brown members [[Angry Anderson]] and [[Dallas Royall|Dallas "Digger" Royall]] respectively.<ref name="Howl"/>
Lying – everyone
Wait till night time covers
Hiding, everyone.


Rose Tattoo's [[Pub rock (Australia)|hard-rocking]] sound quickly earned a devoted following in the Sydney area. Members of [[AC/DC]] were fans and recommended them to their label, [[Albert Productions]].<ref name="Howl"/> The band's debut single "Bad Boy for Love" was written by Rilen, who left to form [[punk rock]] group, [[X (Australian band)|X]], prior to its release in October 1977. "Bad Boy for Love" was produced by [[Vanda & Young]] (ex-[[The Easybeats]], AC/DC's producers) and peaked at No.&nbsp;19 on the Australian [[Kent Music Report]] Singles Chart.<ref name="McFRT"/><ref name="Kent"/> Cocks switched to bass guitar to cover Rilen's departure, then Chris Turner (ex-Buffalo) was brought in.
Ian Rilen


<blockquote class="toccolours" style="text-align:left; width:27%; float:right; margin: 10px 0px 5px 10px; padding:10px 10px 10px 10px; display:table;">"I hope I haven't done all the things people have told me I've done the night before." <p style="text-align: right;"> -Ian Rilen<ref>{{cite book | author= Tracee Hutchison | author-link= Tracee Hutchison |title=Your Name's on the Door|page=95|year=1992
One night Bryan Matthews mentioned he was rehearsing with some to the musicians next door and I joined him. In one of the backrooms the amplifiers and drums were set up and I walked over to hear the pounding drumming of Ian playing bass. We walked into the room spilling with sound. Bryan waiting for Ian’s acknowledgement, then picked up the microphone and started singing.
|publisher=ABC Enterprises |location=Sydney |isbn=0-7333-0115-0}}</ref></p> </blockquote>

===X===
Ian Rilen on bass, playing his unique fast down stroke style, formed X with Steve Lucas on guitar and vocals, Ian Krahe on guitar (who used to literally have blood on his hands from his thrashing playing style without a pick, by the end of a show), and Steve Cafiero on drums <ref name="McFX"/> in the late 1970s.

During X's history the lineup changed twice. The first was caused by the death of Ian Krahe, which reduced the band to three members before they recorded their first album ''X-Aspirations'' (1979) in five hours at Trafalgar Studios in Sydney. The lineup changed a second time on their first Melbourne tour when the band reformed in the early 1980s. The tour was organised by then manager Nick Chance with booking agent Gerard Schlaghecke at Premier Artists in Melbourne, another long time fan of X. Cafiero had always said he would not go to Melbourne; when advised of tour dates, he stuck to his word and would not go, citing family commitments and the fact that his career choice of real estate would be in the balance if he did.

When told by Nick Chance of Cafiero's decision not to go, booking agent Gerard suggested drummer Cathy Green, who was based in Canberra. Gerard knew Green was a huge fan of X, and thus knew the songs, and was a great drummer in her own right who could fill in to save the Melbourne tour. Luckily Cathy agreed to do it, on a few days' notice. There were two hastily organised rehearsals prior to the Melbourne shows, which turned out to be a huge success. Cathy brought a new fresh yet solid feel to the band. Tragically, not long after that, Cafiero died when injected with a dye prior to an X-ray for a back complaint and Cathy became a permanent final member of X.

The ''At Home With You'' (1985) album recorded in Melbourne, which included new songs inspired in part by Cathy, was made at Richmond Recorders, and engineered by [[Tony Cohen]].

The ''X And More'' (1989) followed. This, along with its two predecessors, was produced by [[Lobby Loyde]], who was briefly a member of Rose Tattoo in 1979–1980.<ref name="McFX"/>

===Sardine v===
During X's first hiatus (1980–1983), he formed the [[post punk]] outfit [[Sardine v]], with his then wife, Stephanie Rilen (née Hancock) on keyboards and lead vocals. According to Rilen, "I didn't know [Stephanie] played until I bought a keyboard for the kids and I was writing songs in my room at the house. She just walked by and played a line on the keyboards. I said: 'Do that again'".<ref name="Rilen3"/>

Sardine v's debut single, "Sabotage" (1981), was followed by "Sudan" (written by Falconer)<ref name="APRA" /> which was shown on [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC-TV's]] ''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]'' in 1982 with Rilen on guitar, Falconer on keyboards and lead vocals, and [[Johanna Pigott]] (ex-[[XL Capris]]) on bass guitar. "Stuck on You", co-written by Rilen and Falconer,<ref name="APRA" /> was covered by [[Hunters & Collectors]] on their 1986 album, ''[[Human Frailty]]''; Stephanie Rilen later married Doug Falconer from the band.

===Later career===
Rilen reinstated X in 1983, which included drummer Cathy Green from 1984, with whom he later formed a domestic partnership.

During 1984–1985, Rilen also joined with ex-Rose Tattoo members, Cocks, Georgie Leach, Royall and Wells to form Illustrated Man. This was followed in 1990 by The Big Rider (with Green), then Hell to Pay (1991–1993) and a return to X thereafter.

Rilen worked with [[Ian Moss]] ([[Cold Chisel]]) during recording of ''[[Petrolhead]]'' (1996), playing bass and co-writing songs for the album and later also toured for a short time with Moss.

Rilen rejoined Rose Tattoo in 1998 for the All Hell Breaks Loose Tour with fellow Australian band, [[The Angels (Australian band)|The Angels]].

Rilen's solo album was ''Love is Murder'' (2001), while ''Passion, Boots & Bruises'' (2004) is credited to Ian Rilen & the Love Addicts. A second album with the Love Addicts, ''The Family from Cuba'', was recorded shortly before his death and released in 2007.<ref name="Brown"/>

==Death==
{{Moresources|section|date=June 2023}}
Rilen was diagnosed with [[bladder cancer]] early in 2006. Rilen was invited to the [[Jack Awards]] in 2006, to play in an all-star tribute band for his departed Rose Tattoo bandmate [[Peter Wells (guitarist)|Pete Wells]] who had died of [[prostate cancer]] on 27 March. He left his hospital bed to attend Rose Tattoo's [[ARIA Hall of Fame]] induction on 16 August. Two tribute concerts were held for him on 5 and 6 October.

Rilen died at the age of 59 on 30 October 2006. Three other Rose Tattoo members have died of cancer, besides Rilen and Wells: Royall in 1991, Loyde (also producer for X) in 2007, and Cocks in 2009.<ref name="Cocksdied"/><ref name="Undercover"/>

==Personal life==
He was married twice, first to Stephanie Falconer and second to Sofia Fitzpatrick. His domestic partners included Cathy Green and Brigitte.

Rilen had five children: Alicia Ann Macfarlane, Jai Jai Rilen, Gentilla, Tallulah (with Falconer) and Romeo (with Brigitte).<ref name="Brown"/><ref name="PBS"/>

==Discography==
{{Main|Band of light#Discography|Rose Tattoo discography|X (Australian band)#Discography}}

===Albums===
'''Ian Rilen'''
*''Love is Murder'' (2001)
'''Ian Rilen & the Love Addicts'''
*''Passion Boots & Bruises'' (2004)
*''The Family from Cuba'' (2007)

==Further reading==
* Volkman, Kim. ''The Devil Won’t Take Charity'', 2017, Melbourne. {{ISBN|9780648098607}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
;General
* {{cite encyclopedia|last=McFarlane |first=Ian |author-link=Ian McFarlane |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |title=Whammo Homepage |url=http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp |access-date=26 May 2010 |year=1999 |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |location=[[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] |isbn=1-86508-072-1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405231007/http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp |archive-date=5 April 2004 }} Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
;Specific
{{refend}}
{{reflist|colwidth=25em|refs=<ref name="Brown">{{cite news | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/he-was-the-goodtime-bad-boy-of-rose-tattoo/2006/11/24/1164341390637.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 | title = He was the goodtime bad boy of Rose Tattoo | last = Brown | first = Jen Jewel | work = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] | date = 25 November 2006 | access-date = 26 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="ARDbIR">{{cite web | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/r/rilenian.html | work = [[Australian Rock Database]] | title = Ian Rilen | publisher = Magnus Holmgren | first = Magnus | last = Holmgren | access-date = 26 May 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090823051104/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/r/rilenian.html | archive-date = 23 August 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="McFBoL">McFarlane {{cite web|url=http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=69 |title='Band of Light' entry |access-date=15 March 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040406130719/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=69 |archive-date=6 April 2004 }}. Retrieved 26 May 2010.</ref><ref name="ARDbBoL">{{cite web | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/b/bandoflight.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030822022328/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/b/bandoflight.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 22 August 2003 | work = Australian Rock Database | title = Band of Light | publisher = Magnus Holmgren | first = Magnus | last = Holmgren | access-date = 26 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="GoSetDestiny">{{cite news | url = http://www.sitelevel.com/query.go?crid=727d92946b2bcd67&query=%22Living+in+a+Child's+Dream%22 | newspaper = [[Go-Set]] | title = ''Go-Set'' search engine results for "Destiny Song" | publisher = Waverley Press | date = 21 July 1973 | access-date = 26 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="GoSetUnion">{{cite news | url = http://www.poparchives.com.au/gosetcharts/1973/19730901.html | newspaper = Go-Set | title = ''Go-Set'' search engine results for ''Total Union'' | publisher = Waverley Press | date = 1 September 1973 | access-date = 26 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="GoSetBlackfeather">{{cite news | url = http://www.sitelevel.com/query.go?crid=727d92946b2bcd67&query=%22Blackfeather%22 | newspaper = Go-Set | title = ''Go-Set'' search engine results for Blackfeather | publisher = Waverley Press | access-date = 26 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="McFRT">McFarlane {{cite web|url=http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=699 |title='Rose Tattoo' entry |access-date=16 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040901025733/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=699 |archive-date=1 September 2004 }}. Retrieved 26 May 2010.</ref><ref name="ARDbRT">{{cite web|url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/r/rosetattoo.html |work=Australian Rock Database |title=Rose Tattoo |publisher=Magnus Holmgren |last=Holmgren |first=Magnus |access-date=26 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006014015/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/r/rosetattoo.html |archive-date=6 October 2012 }}</ref><ref name="Howl">{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20030128130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20030129-0000/www.howlspace.com.au/en2/rosetattoo/rosetattoo.htm | url = http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/en2/rosetattoo/rosetattoo.htm | title = Rose Tattoo | last = Nimmervoll | first = Ed | publisher = Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd. (Ed Nimmervoll) | archive-date = 28 January 2003 | access-date = 22 January 2014 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="Kent">{{cite book | title = [[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] | last = Kent | first = David | author-link = David Kent (historian) | publisher = Australian Chart Book Ltd. | location = [[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]] | year = 1993 | isbn = 0-646-11917-6 }} NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) created their own [[ARIA Charts|charts]] in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.</ref><ref name="McFX">McFarlane {{cite web|url=http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=796 |title='X' entry |access-date=17 March 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040227111217/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=796 |archive-date=27 February 2004 }}. Retrieved 26 May 2010.</ref><ref name="Rilen3">{{cite web | url = http://www.i94bar.com/ints/rilen3.html | title = Ian Rilen at the I-94 Bar part three | publisher = I-94 Bar | access-date = 27 May 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100516153747/http://www.i94bar.com/ints/rilen3.html | archive-date = 16 May 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="APRA">{{cite web|publisher=[[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA)|title= APRA search engine|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q= |access-date=21 December 2009}} Note: requires user to enter song title, e.g. Bad Boy for Love</ref>

<ref name="PBS">{{cite news | url = http://admin.pbsfm.org.au/sites/PBS/Documents.asp?ID=3123&Title=Ian+Rilen+tribute+at+The+Prince+Of+Wales | title = Ian Rilen tribute at The Prince of Wales | publisher = Progressive Broadcast Service | work = [[PBS 106.7FM]] | access-date = 27 May 2010 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Cocksdied">{{cite news | url = http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/music/rose-tattoo-band-founder-dies/story-e6frexl9-1225812990765 | title = Rose Tattoo band founder dies | last = Australian Associated Press (AAP) | newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)]] | publisher = [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]] | date = 23 December 2009 | access-date = 20 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Undercover">{{cite news | url = http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=9871_Rose_Tattoo_Founder_Mick_Cocks_Dies_From_Liver_Cancer | title = Rose Tattoo founder Mick Cocks Dies From Liver Cancer | last = Cashmere | first = Paul | newspaper = Undercover.com.au | publisher = Cashmere Media Pty Ltd. | date = 22 December 2009 | access-date = 22 May 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100226015153/http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=9871_Rose_Tattoo_Founder_Mick_Cocks_Dies_From_Liver_Cancer | archive-date = 26 February 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040904192555/http://www.i94bar.com/ints/rilen.html Ian Rilen (I-94 Bar)]
*[http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/rose-tattoo-legend-dies/2006/10/30/1162056916550.html Daniel Ziffer, "Rose Tattoo Legend dies" (''The Age'', 30 October 2006)]
*Vale Ian Rilen [https://web.archive.org/web/20081202082716/http://www.i94bar.com/rant/ian.html]


{{Rose Tattoo}}
I doesn’t matter how much you think about things, nothing replaces feeling them. To sit next to an amplifier with leads all around your fee listening to drums, bass guitar and any other instrument is separate altogether from listening to a recording. Another thing which emerges when musicians play together is a communication between them which transcends words. The music does not have to be symphonic, it can be bad or good, it can vary from night to night and whatever the expression, it passes first between those playing before it spills out to the listener. Within this “conversation” there is differing levels of articulation, and there are the creators, and those who just play. Of those who are the creators, the ones who can sit down and create enthusiasm are the greatest performers. Ian Rilen was one such musician. It was obvious as I watched that a wealth of ideas and structure was flowing from him to the others.
{{X (Australian band)}}
“No, just try a little more of this” he would say to the others with an almost embarrassed smile and they would change and look quickly for his approval.
Most of the dialogue was with the instruments but Ian was clearly guiding.


{{Authority control}}
The night was enjoyed drinking and listening to songs being rehearsed. I had not realised till that evening that Ian was an accomplished musician.
He had a remarkable gift of saying, “I thought of something today, listen to this” and picking up the bass and drumming out a beat which would catch you up. He would smile and sing the words which were simple but true. Here was a new poetry for me, an honest, plainly but cleverly expressed sentiment.
For those of us who spend most of our days working, it is good to meet an Ian Rilen. Often he would hand me the guitar and say “Play something.”
Surprisingly I would start tapping out some primitive rhythms and be amazed at my capacity to do so. In this way Ian would play something and say, “I just need some words for this line” or “I just need a line to end this song” and I would find myself reaching into my creativity to find something to match. I was being shown how to go to the well and reach the water. Every time the bucket went down I would feel an exhilaration, a remembering. Anyone can do this I thought, even I, why haven’t I tried this before?
Ian had a peculiar effect on people. Everyone wanted to be with him and they competed for his time and attention. He had the final word on any subject, not because he was arrogant or self-opinionated, but because he usually saw more than others. He had an affect of making people see some beauty in themselves. Ian was already a public figure. “A legend in his own neighbourhood”, some would jokingly say of his rejection of fame in the past. Before I knew him there was Band of Light, Rose Tattoo and much more. He was accused by many of arrogance, but they all liked him and in them one could only see the criticism came from envy and competitiveness.
This is not to say the man was saintly. The reverse was sometimes true. His behaviour and emotions were there to be seen and judged. This is what set him apart and made him an exemplar. It’s not that his conduct was impeccable, simply that it was honest. I reflected on this as my association with him developed, and I considered how I hid my feelings. If I wanted to be with someone I was too reserved to say so directly. I thought of my “abstracted love” for my partners. When Ian loved someone, everyone knew, thought about it, had an opinion on it and became part of what Ian was doing.
Ian’s obvious sexual peregrinations continued and in the midst of it all Stephanie kept a fine home, fed endless guests and cared thoroughly for her children through those times. Her love for Ian was great and somehow hinged on the growth that she experienced by being with him. It was not without pain for both of them, and all of us who knew them shared in their relationship because of the nature of Ian’s honesty. I often compared Ian to other people I knew. When they had relationships they were clandestine, sneaky and if uncovered, fraught with guilt and endless recriminations. Here on the other hand was a man who showed his feelings, paid for them at the time and therefore did not live a fantasy.


{{DEFAULTSORT:Rilen, Ian}}
Notwithstanding his faults, proud for all to see, there was the remarkable compassion of the man. In artistic circles, I learnt it is almost everything to be fashionable. To most, fashion involved rejecting certain of the outer members of the people who associated in the house at Cook Road. Turning away when that person was talking, and subtle means of ignoring a being would be practiced by the pretenders to fashion. Ian was in his own right fashion, and yet would open his door to the most wayward and forlorn souls. Their words and intentions he would favour with equal time to the “more important people”. I remember going with him one day down to a single-mens’ hostel on William Street. We went in to visit an old friend of Ian’s called Norm. Norm, Ian said was a great slide guitar player but he lost his way and ended up living like a derelict. Ian loved Norm and you could see Norm felt the same way about Ian. Norm sat there with the blacks of his pupils wide and the cigarette stains on his fingers talking gently. This was one of the many “uncool” people Ian took lovingly under his arm.In that way too, I could reflect on the civilised members of society with whom I mixed, and I thought of their petulance, self-importance and cynicism. In the professions there are far more whose psychic motor is ego, than intelligence. In the best practitioners though, are always those whose concern is for all, not just those from whom advantage comes.
[[Category:1947 births]]
Yet another thing which I learnt from Ian was the pleasure of children. At that time I was in my late twenties, and had always been as impatient with children as I had been with people who didn’t interest me. How shallow I was, and how much I gained from my association with Ian, Stephanie and their children. Ian’s love for his children was unfailing, he would do anything for them and above all else he spent time with them. The time spent was time in which he was absorbed, and in the way he taught me to recover lost feelings, so by this example he taught me that the love for children is not politicised as the love for one’s mate. The love for children is not qualified by their performance to expectation, but is unalloyed and endless, or it has the potential to be.
[[Category:2006 deaths]]
The current which ran beneath his nature was his unbelievable courage. In watching him it occurred to me that most of my acquaintances were cowards. Cowardice is not a vice of wartime alone, but in every day life one is called upon to choose, between courage and fear.
[[Category:Australian bass guitarists]]
Stephanie said “One night, Ian and I were walking through a park at Rose Bay. Suddenly a vicious dog appeared out of the dark and came at us snarling and ready to bite.
[[Category:Deaths from bladder cancer]]
“What did you do?” I asked.
[[Category:Musicians from Melbourne]]
“Ian got in front of me and the dog was barking all around us,” said Stephanie. “I was terrified, and then Ian let out this yell like I have never heard before, and the dog became terrified and ran away.”
[[Category:People from Bendigo]]
“Yeah,” Ian said laughing, “I was so angry at the dog, something just came out of me and I blew it away.” This guy arrived on the planet with a gift which is evident to those around him but largely is as yet, undiscovered. The guy is a genius and his music will live on as will the love of those who have known him, whatever the temporary X-aspirations. Thanks for the music and the friendship Ian. Steve L.
[[Category:20th-century Australian musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century bass guitarists]]
[[Category:Paul Kelly and the Messengers members]]
[[Category:Rose Tattoo members]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Victoria (state)]]

Latest revision as of 16:31, 14 August 2024

Ian Rilen
Background information
Birth nameIan William Rilen
Born(1947-08-12)12 August 1947
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Died30 October 2006(2006-10-30) (aged 59)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Bass
  • guitar
  • vocals
Years active1971–2006
Labels

Ian William Rilen (12 August 1947 – 30 October 2006) was an Australian musician. He was bass guitarist and songwriter with rock and roll band Rose Tattoo, and led punk rock group X on guitar and vocals. Rilen was born in Bendigo, Victoria, started his musical career in Sydney and later lived in Melbourne.

Rilen was a member of 1970s progressive blues group Band of Light and other bands, including Space, Blue Aliens, Blackfeather, Sardine v, Hell to Pay, Skindiver and Illustrated Men. Rilen wrote one of Rose Tattoo's biggest hits, "Bad Boy for Love", and co-wrote "Stuck on You" with his first wife Stephanie Falconer, which was covered by Hunters & Collectors. Rilen was diagnosed with bladder cancer early in 2006 and died on 30 October, aged 59.

Biography

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Ian William Rilen was born on 12 August 1947 in Bendigo, Victoria to Jean and William Rilen. He grew up in Torquay and became a surfer.[1]

After various jobs including window dresser, screen printer and sign writer, Rilen turned to a career in music.[1] He played in progressive rock band, Lotus including at the Myponga Festival in January–February 1971. He then joined Space during 1971–1972.[2][3]

Rilen was bass guitarist for Band of Light during 1972–1974. The progressive blues group formed in Sydney but relocated to Melbourne, and released two albums, Total Union (1973) and The Archer (1974) (both on WEA Records).[3][4] They had a No. 18 hit single on the Go-Set top 40 with "Destiny Song" in July 1973.[5] Total Union peaked at No. 14 on Go-Set's top 20 albums chart in September.[6] Rilen left in mid-1974 and the band broke up by year's end.[3]

During 1975, he teamed with former bandmate, slide guitarist, Norm Roue (ex-Lotus, Band of Light), in the short-lived Blue Aliens with Roy Johnson.[2] Late in 1975, he joined Blackfeather which previously had hits with "Seasons of Change" (No. 15, 1971) and "Boppin' the Blues" (No. 1, 1972).[2][7]

Rose Tattoo

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Rose Tattoo was formed in Sydney in 1976 with Leigh Johnston on rhythm guitar, Tony Lake on lead vocals. and led by Peter Wells, who had just departed as bass guitarist of heavy metal band Buffalo. Drummer Michael Vandersluys completed the line-up.[8][9] Rilen joined on bass guitar to allow Wells to concentrate on his slide guitar.[10] Rhythm guitarist Mick Cocks soon replaced Johnston; Lake and Vandersluys were substituted by former Buster Brown members Angry Anderson and Dallas "Digger" Royall respectively.[10]

Rose Tattoo's hard-rocking sound quickly earned a devoted following in the Sydney area. Members of AC/DC were fans and recommended them to their label, Albert Productions.[10] The band's debut single "Bad Boy for Love" was written by Rilen, who left to form punk rock group, X, prior to its release in October 1977. "Bad Boy for Love" was produced by Vanda & Young (ex-The Easybeats, AC/DC's producers) and peaked at No. 19 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart.[8][11] Cocks switched to bass guitar to cover Rilen's departure, then Chris Turner (ex-Buffalo) was brought in.

"I hope I haven't done all the things people have told me I've done the night before."

-Ian Rilen[12]

X

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Ian Rilen on bass, playing his unique fast down stroke style, formed X with Steve Lucas on guitar and vocals, Ian Krahe on guitar (who used to literally have blood on his hands from his thrashing playing style without a pick, by the end of a show), and Steve Cafiero on drums [13] in the late 1970s.

During X's history the lineup changed twice. The first was caused by the death of Ian Krahe, which reduced the band to three members before they recorded their first album X-Aspirations (1979) in five hours at Trafalgar Studios in Sydney. The lineup changed a second time on their first Melbourne tour when the band reformed in the early 1980s. The tour was organised by then manager Nick Chance with booking agent Gerard Schlaghecke at Premier Artists in Melbourne, another long time fan of X. Cafiero had always said he would not go to Melbourne; when advised of tour dates, he stuck to his word and would not go, citing family commitments and the fact that his career choice of real estate would be in the balance if he did.

When told by Nick Chance of Cafiero's decision not to go, booking agent Gerard suggested drummer Cathy Green, who was based in Canberra. Gerard knew Green was a huge fan of X, and thus knew the songs, and was a great drummer in her own right who could fill in to save the Melbourne tour. Luckily Cathy agreed to do it, on a few days' notice. There were two hastily organised rehearsals prior to the Melbourne shows, which turned out to be a huge success. Cathy brought a new fresh yet solid feel to the band. Tragically, not long after that, Cafiero died when injected with a dye prior to an X-ray for a back complaint and Cathy became a permanent final member of X.

The At Home With You (1985) album recorded in Melbourne, which included new songs inspired in part by Cathy, was made at Richmond Recorders, and engineered by Tony Cohen.

The X And More (1989) followed. This, along with its two predecessors, was produced by Lobby Loyde, who was briefly a member of Rose Tattoo in 1979–1980.[13]

Sardine v

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During X's first hiatus (1980–1983), he formed the post punk outfit Sardine v, with his then wife, Stephanie Rilen (née Hancock) on keyboards and lead vocals. According to Rilen, "I didn't know [Stephanie] played until I bought a keyboard for the kids and I was writing songs in my room at the house. She just walked by and played a line on the keyboards. I said: 'Do that again'".[14]

Sardine v's debut single, "Sabotage" (1981), was followed by "Sudan" (written by Falconer)[15] which was shown on ABC-TV's Countdown in 1982 with Rilen on guitar, Falconer on keyboards and lead vocals, and Johanna Pigott (ex-XL Capris) on bass guitar. "Stuck on You", co-written by Rilen and Falconer,[15] was covered by Hunters & Collectors on their 1986 album, Human Frailty; Stephanie Rilen later married Doug Falconer from the band.

Later career

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Rilen reinstated X in 1983, which included drummer Cathy Green from 1984, with whom he later formed a domestic partnership.

During 1984–1985, Rilen also joined with ex-Rose Tattoo members, Cocks, Georgie Leach, Royall and Wells to form Illustrated Man. This was followed in 1990 by The Big Rider (with Green), then Hell to Pay (1991–1993) and a return to X thereafter.

Rilen worked with Ian Moss (Cold Chisel) during recording of Petrolhead (1996), playing bass and co-writing songs for the album and later also toured for a short time with Moss.

Rilen rejoined Rose Tattoo in 1998 for the All Hell Breaks Loose Tour with fellow Australian band, The Angels.

Rilen's solo album was Love is Murder (2001), while Passion, Boots & Bruises (2004) is credited to Ian Rilen & the Love Addicts. A second album with the Love Addicts, The Family from Cuba, was recorded shortly before his death and released in 2007.[1]

Death

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Rilen was diagnosed with bladder cancer early in 2006. Rilen was invited to the Jack Awards in 2006, to play in an all-star tribute band for his departed Rose Tattoo bandmate Pete Wells who had died of prostate cancer on 27 March. He left his hospital bed to attend Rose Tattoo's ARIA Hall of Fame induction on 16 August. Two tribute concerts were held for him on 5 and 6 October.

Rilen died at the age of 59 on 30 October 2006. Three other Rose Tattoo members have died of cancer, besides Rilen and Wells: Royall in 1991, Loyde (also producer for X) in 2007, and Cocks in 2009.[16][17]

Personal life

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He was married twice, first to Stephanie Falconer and second to Sofia Fitzpatrick. His domestic partners included Cathy Green and Brigitte.

Rilen had five children: Alicia Ann Macfarlane, Jai Jai Rilen, Gentilla, Tallulah (with Falconer) and Romeo (with Brigitte).[1][18]

Discography

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Main articles: Band of light § Discography, Rose Tattoo discography, and X (Australian band) § Discography

Albums

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Ian Rilen

  • Love is Murder (2001)

Ian Rilen & the Love Addicts

  • Passion Boots & Bruises (2004)
  • The Family from Cuba (2007)

Further reading

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  • Volkman, Kim. The Devil Won’t Take Charity, 2017, Melbourne. ISBN 9780648098607

References

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General
Specific
  1. ^ a b c d Brown, Jen Jewel (25 November 2006). "He was the goodtime bad boy of Rose Tattoo". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  2. ^ a b c Holmgren, Magnus. "Ian Rilen". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Archived from the original on 23 August 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  3. ^ a b c McFarlane "'Band of Light' entry". Archived from the original on 6 April 2004. Retrieved 15 March 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  4. ^ Holmgren, Magnus. "Band of Light". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Archived from the original on 22 August 2003. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  5. ^ "Go-Set search engine results for "Destiny Song"". Go-Set. Waverley Press. 21 July 1973. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  6. ^ "Go-Set search engine results for Total Union". Go-Set. Waverley Press. 1 September 1973. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  7. ^ "Go-Set search engine results for Blackfeather". Go-Set. Waverley Press. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  8. ^ a b McFarlane "'Rose Tattoo' entry". Archived from the original on 1 September 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2012.. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  9. ^ Holmgren, Magnus. "Rose Tattoo". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  10. ^ a b c Nimmervoll, Ed. "Rose Tattoo". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd. (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from the original on 28 January 2003. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  11. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book Ltd. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) created their own charts in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.
  12. ^ Tracee Hutchison (1992). Your Name's on the Door. Sydney: ABC Enterprises. p. 95. ISBN 0-7333-0115-0.
  13. ^ a b McFarlane "'X' entry". Archived from the original on 27 February 2004. Retrieved 17 March 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  14. ^ "Ian Rilen at the I-94 Bar part three". I-94 Bar. Archived from the original on 16 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  15. ^ a b "APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 21 December 2009. Note: requires user to enter song title, e.g. Bad Boy for Love
  16. ^ Australian Associated Press (AAP) (23 December 2009). "Rose Tattoo band founder dies". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). News Corporation. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  17. ^ Cashmere, Paul (22 December 2009). "Rose Tattoo founder Mick Cocks Dies From Liver Cancer". Undercover.com.au. Cashmere Media Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 26 February 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  18. ^ "Ian Rilen tribute at The Prince of Wales". PBS 106.7FM. Progressive Broadcast Service. Retrieved 27 May 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
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