Roy Sætre Khantatat (Thai: รà¸à¸¢ ขันธทัต; born
March 12, 1970), commonly known as Roy Khan, is a Norwegian
singer-songwriter who is the lead singer for the Norwegian progressive
metal band Conception and was the lead vocalist for the symphonic
power metal band Kamelot from 1997 until his departure in 2011. He
co-wrote most of Kamelot's songs with the band's guitarist and founder
Thomas Youngblood during his tenure. Khan had retired from music in
2011 until 2018, when he released a new solo song on YouTube and
announced the return of Conception.Khan was born March 12, 1970 to a
Norwegian mother and Thai father and took both of their last names.
Khan's maternal grandfather, Kåre Sætre, was a major influence on
his musical aspirations, something Khan would state in several
interviews. Sætre would later appear alongside his grandson on stage
several times. Khan began singing at a young age, and at the age of
17, while in the shower at school, Khan was caught singing "Alone" by
Heart by a fellow student and was offered to join his band. After
graduating from high school, Khan studied opera for three years.During
his school years, he shortened "Khantatat" to "Khan" as he found it
easier, and frequently used it as a nickname. He is also credited as
"Khan" on most early albums.After finishing his opera studies, Khan
joined the Norwegian progressive metal band Conception, after its
previous lead singer quit in 1991. He was selected after several
potential singers auditioned. The band released several albums over
the coming years before disbanding in 1998, a year after Khan left the
band to pursue a career with Kamelot.
March 12, 1970), commonly known as Roy Khan, is a Norwegian
singer-songwriter who is the lead singer for the Norwegian progressive
metal band Conception and was the lead vocalist for the symphonic
power metal band Kamelot from 1997 until his departure in 2011. He
co-wrote most of Kamelot's songs with the band's guitarist and founder
Thomas Youngblood during his tenure. Khan had retired from music in
2011 until 2018, when he released a new solo song on YouTube and
announced the return of Conception.Khan was born March 12, 1970 to a
Norwegian mother and Thai father and took both of their last names.
Khan's maternal grandfather, Kåre Sætre, was a major influence on
his musical aspirations, something Khan would state in several
interviews. Sætre would later appear alongside his grandson on stage
several times. Khan began singing at a young age, and at the age of
17, while in the shower at school, Khan was caught singing "Alone" by
Heart by a fellow student and was offered to join his band. After
graduating from high school, Khan studied opera for three years.During
his school years, he shortened "Khantatat" to "Khan" as he found it
easier, and frequently used it as a nickname. He is also credited as
"Khan" on most early albums.After finishing his opera studies, Khan
joined the Norwegian progressive metal band Conception, after its
previous lead singer quit in 1991. He was selected after several
potential singers auditioned. The band released several albums over
the coming years before disbanding in 1998, a year after Khan left the
band to pursue a career with Kamelot.
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