Revision 4616806 of "Ian Watkins (Lostprophets)" on simplewiki

{{Infobox musical artist
| name                = Ian Watkins
| image               = Ianwatkinswikipic2.JPG
| caption             = Ian Watkins performing live with Lostprophets at [[Leeds Festival#2007|Leeds Festival 2007]].
| image_size          =
| background          = solo_singer
| birth_name          = Ian David Karslake Watkins
| alias               = Mirrorboy, L'Amour La Morgue
| birth_place         = [[Merthyr Tydfil]], [[Glamorganshire]], [[Wales]]
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|07|30}}<ref name="Wales">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/genres_artists/rock_pop/lostprophets_ian_watkins.shtml| title=Ian Watkins| publisher=[[BBC News]]| author=| accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref><ref>[http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/all/results?recordCount=-1&forenames=Ian+David+Karslake&_includeForenamesVariants=on&surname=Watkins&_includeSurnameVariants=on&fromYear=1977&toYear=1977&region=&county=&mothersMaidenName=&_useMothersMaidenNameAsSurname=on&sortOrder=RK%3Atrue&_performExactSearch=on&event=B&recordType=ALL&route=]</ref>
| death_date          =
| origin              = 
| instrument          = [[Singing|Vocals]], [[Drum kit|drums]], [[Turntablism|turntables]], [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]]
| genre               = [[Alternative metal]], [[alternative rock]], [[post-hardcore]], [[nu metal]], [[emo]]
| occupation          = [[Musician]], [[singer]], [[songwriter]], [[designer]]
| years_active        = 1995&ndash;2012
| label               = [[Epic Records|Epic]], [[Fearless Records|Fearless]], [[Visible Noise]]
| associated_acts     = [[Lostprophets]]<br>[[Public Disturbance (Welsh band)|Public Disturbance]]<br>[[The Blackout (band)|The Blackout]]
| website             =
| notable_instruments =
}}
'''Ian David Karslak Watkins''' (born 30 July 1977) is a Welsh musician. He was the main singer and songwriter of the [[alternative rock]] band [[Lostprophets]]. They broke up in 2013 because Watkins was charged with raping a baby and other sex crimes.<ref>http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/01/lostprophets-split-up-we-can-no-longer-continue-following-ian-watkins-heartache-4130469/</ref>

==Early life and career==	
Watkins was born in [[Merthyr Tydfil]]. His family later moved to [[Pontypridd]], where he went to [[Hawthorn High School]]. In 1991 he started a thrash metal band with Mike Lewis called Aftermath. After two years they broke up. Watkins met Lee Gaze at [[Ynysangharad Park]], a cricket ground where he lived. They made a band called Fleshbind. Then in 1995 they left the band and started one called Lost Prophets. That year Watkins also started a band with Lewis called  Public Disturbance. In 1998 Watkins left the band to focus on his band with Gaze. The band was renamed lostprophets (spelled with all lower-case letters).

Lostprophets have released five studio albums. They sold 3.5 million albums around the world.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Welsh singers]]