Roy Khan

Roy Khan
Roy Khan during a concert in 2007.
Background information
Birth name	Roy Sætre Khantatat
Born	(1970-03-12) 12 March 1970 (age 46)
Origin	Elverum, Hedmark, Norway
Genres	Symphonic metal, power metal, progressive metal
Occupation(s)	Vocalist, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, piano, keyboards, guitar, bass guitar
Years active	1991–2011
Associated acts	Kamelot, Conception, Epica, Avantasia

Roy Sætre Khantatat (born March 12, 1970), is a Norwegian singer-songwriter. Commonly known as Roy Khan or simply Khan, he was the lead vocalist for the symphonic power metal band Kamelot from 1997 to his departure in 2011. He co-wrote most of Kamelot's songs with the band's guitarist and founder Thomas Youngblood during his tenure. Prior to joining Kamelot, Khan was lead singer for the Norwegian progressive metal band Conception from 1991 until 1997 when they disbanded.

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.

During his school years, he shortened "Khantatat" to "Khan" as he found it easier. 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.

After finishing his opera studies, Khan joined the Norwegian progressive metal band Conception, after its previous lead singer quit in 1991. Khan 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.

In 2005, Khan reunited with Conception and played at the 2005 ProgPower USA VI festival on Friday 16 September and Norwegian Scream Magazine's 15 Years & 100 Issues Festival on Saturday October 1. Khan, guitarist Tore Østby (also known from the band ARK) and the rest of Conception reunited; at the time it was clarified Khan would continue to support Kamelot.

In 1997, Khan was recruited by Kamelot founder Thomas Youngblood after the band's previous vocalist was fired. Khan performed lead vocals on the subsequent releases "Siège Perilous" (1998), "The Fourth Legacy" (1999), "Karma" (2001), "Epica" (2003), "The Black Halo" (2005), "Ghost Opera" (2007), and "Poetry for the Poisoned" (2010).