Ian Rilen

Ian William Rilen (12 August 1947 – 30 October 2006) was an Australian musician. He was bass guitarist and songwriter with Rock N' Roll band Rose Tattoo, and led punk rock group X while also providing lead guitar, rhythm 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. 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.After various jobs including window dresser, screen printer and sign writer, Rilen turned to a career in music. He played in progressive rock band, Lotus including at the Myponga Festival in January–February 1971. He then joined Space during 1971–1972.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). They had a No. 18 hit single on the Go-Set top 40 with "Destiny Song" in July 1973. Total Union peaked at No. 14 on Go-Set's top 20 albums chart in September. Rilen left in mid-1974 and the band broke up by year's end.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. Late in 1975, he joined Blackfeather which previously had hits with "Seasons of Change" (No. 15, 1971) and "Boppin' the Blues" (No. 1, 1972).