Ian Gillan
Encyclopedia
Ian Gillan is an English
rock music
vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple
. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath
, and sang the role of Jesus
in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber
's rock opera
Jesus Christ Superstar
. In his prime, Gillan was known for his wide vocal range - particularly the high pitched screams evidenced in the song "Child In Time
".
.
and Ritchie Blackmore
saw one of his lead vocal performances with Episode Six, they approached him to replace Rod Evans
in Deep Purple.
Gillan was a member of Deep Purple
from 1969 through to 1973, appearing on such now-classic Deep Purple albums as In Rock
, Fireball
, Machine Head
, Made In Japan and Who Do We Think We Are
. He had initially joined the band for its 1969 Concerto for Group and Orchestra
, a one-off show with England's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra that was made into an album. During these years, he also was the voice of Jesus on the original 1970 album recording of Jesus Christ Superstar
. He was offered the lead role in the 1973 film adaptation
. Ian demanded to be paid not only for his role in the movie but insisted, without the consent of his manager, that the entire band be paid because filming would conflict with a scheduled tour. The producers declined and Ian continued on in the band. Citing exhaustion and a poor working relationship with the band, particularly Blackmore, Gillan left Deep Purple in the summer of 1973.
in 1975, he decided to resume his singing career. He formed the Ian Gillan Band
. The early band sound had a distinct jazz-rock
aspect which proved unpopular and was replaced by a more high powered hard rock
sound as Gillan changed the lineup and shortened the group's name to Gillan
. Writing the bulk of new material with keyboardist Colin Towns
, the release of Mr. Universe
saw Ian Gillan back in the UK charts, although the independent record company the album came out on – Acrobat – folded soon after the album was released, prompting a contract with Richard Branson
's Virgin Records
. Through several more lineup changes the band released a string of UK hit singles and successful albums including Glory Road, Future Shock
, Double Trouble
, and finally Magic
.
In 1982 Ian Gillan announced the band would fold as he needed to rest his damaged vocal cords. The tone and style of his singing changed considerably when he eventually returned. His voice had a more nasal tone and this can be heard on albums he has made from 1983 to the present day. His use of multi-tracked backing vocals also became highly prominent.
(replacing Ronnie James Dio
) for a year to record the Born Again
album and tour
(on which Black Sabbath played the Deep Purple standard "Smoke on the Water
" as an encore). He was largely dissatisfied with his stint in Sabbath, notably the final mix of the Born Again album (though he liked the songs and their original mixes), and its cover, which featured a demonic-looking baby. He was quoted in Kerrang!
in 1984 as saying "I looked at the cover and puked." In an interview supporting Deep Purple's reformation in 1984, he stated of Born Again, "they had sent me a box of records. And when I saw the cover and heard the mix, I smashed every single one of them to pieces."
The album spawned only one semi-successful radio track, "Keep It Warm". In an interview on Part 2 of the VHS, The Black Sabbath Story (1992), he said, "I was the worst singer Black Sabbath ever had..." However, he stated in the same interview that he liked the members of Sabbath personally: "I love Tony
, love Geezer
."
that was followed by one of the most successful rock tours of 1985. Another studio album with this formation, The House of Blue Light
(1987) was followed by the live album Nobody's Perfect (1988). The live album also featured a studio re-recording of the 1968 hit "Hush" with Gillan on vocals, to commemorate Deep Purple's 20th anniversary. (The original 1968 release had been sung by Rod Evans.)
Gillan was sacked in 1989, being replaced by former Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner
for one Deep Purple studio album. At the urging of Lord and Paice, who wanted him in the fold for the band's 25th anniversary tour, he rejoined in 1992 to record the album The Battle Rages On
. During the 1993 tour for this album, Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple for good. The rest of Deep Purple carried on, eventually replacing Blackmore with Steve Morse
, and Gillan remains in the band to the present day.
In February 2005 Ian Gillan guested at Jeff Healey
's concert in Toronto, Canada and was also among artists performing at the House of Rock concert in St. Petersburg, Russia.
In April 2006 Gillan released a CD/multimedia project to document his 44-year career called Gillan's Inn. Tony Iommi
, Jeff Healey
, Joe Satriani
, Dean Howard
, as well as current and former members of Deep Purple such as Jon Lord, Roger Glover
, Ian Paice
, Don Airey
and Steve Morse
are featured on this 2006 CD and DVD
. The project includes a re-recorded selection of his Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and solo tracks. It was produced by Nick Blagona. In a recent interview, Gillan announced that his solo albums from the 1970s and 1980s would be re-issued late in 2006 through the Demon record company. These albums began to be released in early 2007.
Also, on 11 September 2006, Ian Gillan promoted the Gillan's Inn tour by having local guitarists compete through local radio stations to play on stage with the band during the famous song "Smoke on the Water". The promotion was titled "Smoke This!". On the 11 September show, Lars Ulrich
, drummer for thrash metal
band Metallica
joined Gillan on stage for "Smoke on the Water," along with the local contest winner, David Gizzarelli. Joe Satriani
was scheduled to join the lineup as well, but was called to the studio for last minute revisions.
In 2006 a single called Eternity was released for the Japanese Xbox 360
game Blue Dragon, composed by Nobuo Uematsu
and featuring the vocals of Gillan. That same song was reused in the fan-made, freeware RPG Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden
for battles against VinceBorg2050 (a combination of cyborg
& Vince Carter
). The Eternity file in the Barkley game music folder is labeled "jesus christ the guy from deep purple sang this".
On 31 March 2006 Gillan appeared at the Tommy Vance
tribute concert in London. He was accompanied by Roger Glover
, Steve Morris, Dean Howard, Michael Lee Jackson, Harry James, Sim Jones and Richard Cottle.
Also in 2006, Ian Gillan sang on two songs off the Jon Lord & Hoochie Coochie Men studio album, Danger. White Men Dancing, released in late 2007.
On 2 April 2007 Gillan released a DVD Highway Star - A Journey in Rock
. The DVD has 6 hours of footage including documentaries and music clips.
In June 2007 he sang with the group Sed Nove and Ann Wilson
in the Festival of Music in Paris.
In February 2008 Gillan released a double live album on Edel Records, Live in Anaheim that features Gillan and Deep Purple classic songs and several rarities. A companion DVD was released in May 2008.
On 3 May 2008 Ian Gillan performed at the Jeff Healey
memorial concert in Toronto, Canada.
He released a new studio album entitled One Eye to Morocco
in March 2009.
In recent years Ian Gillan has been performing occasionally with orchestras in Europe singing mainly Deep Purple hits (2007: Greece, 2008: Italy, 2009: Germany, Poland). During his visit in Poland, in August 2009, Ian Gillan was presented with the plaque at the Gdansk Walk of Fame.
On 2 October 2009, in honour of the 20th anniversary of 'Rock Aid Armenia
', Gillan together with Tony Iommi
, Geoff Downes
, and the project organizer Jon Dee were received by the Prime Minister of Armenia
who awarded them with the republic's Orders of Honour.
On March 26 and 27 2010, in Yerevan
, Gillan performs with State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia. At a press conference in Yerevan on March 27, Gillan said he considers Armenia his spiritual motherland.
Ian Gillan met Tony Iommi
, Nicko McBrain
and Jon Lord
, Mikko Lindström from HIM and Jason Newsted
at a studio in London to finish recording a song called ‘Out of my Mind’, which was released 6 May 2011. This is for the benefit of the music school to be built in Gyumri, Armenia – a project Ian Gillan has been working on with others since his concerts in Yerevan (17–20 May 1990)
On the flight back from Armenia last year, after each receiving the Armenian Presidential medal of Honour, Gillan and Tony decided to form the band WhoCares for ad hoc recordings (and possible performances) dedicated to raising money for specific causes.
's 1983 album Born Again. They have twice since renewed their marriage vows. Gillan has two children and three grandchildren all of whom were brought up in Scotland. Gillan moved to southern Portugal
in the late 2000s.
Gillan's mother, Audrey Parkinson, often visits him while he is touring with Deep Purple in the United Kingdom
. She can often be seen sitting to the side of the stage.
He is also a big fan of cricket.
Gillan is well known for his intolerance of aggressive crowd security personnel at concerts. On 15 August 1998, he was charged with assault after striking a security guard on the head with a microphone.
In 2004, he was banned from driving for 16 months and fined £500 for being twice over the legal alcohol limit.
His surname is often misspelled as "Gillian". Gillan himself made light of this in the lyrics to "MTV", a track from Deep Purple's 2005 album Rapture of the Deep
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, and sang the role of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
's rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
. In his prime, Gillan was known for his wide vocal range - particularly the high pitched screams evidenced in the song "Child In Time
Child in Time
"Child in Time" is a song by British hard rock band Deep Purple. Featured on their 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock, the song is 10 minutes and 18 seconds long.-History and characteristics:...
".
Early life
Gillan was born at Chiswick Maternity Hospital, Middlesex. Gillan's father was a storekeeper at a factory in London. He grew up moving between council flats before settling in a three-bedroom semi-detached on a council estate in Cranford, Hounslow.Early years
Between 1962 and 1964 Gillan was in a band called The Javelins, where he was known as Jess Thunder. He then joined Wainwright's Gentlemen until 1965. The band recorded a number of tracks including a cover of The Hollies hit "Ain't That Just Like Me" which was officially released in February 2011 on a compilation CD "Rare Mod, Volume 3" on the Acid Jazz label (AJXCD 238). The track features Gillan on vocals, Mick Tucker (later of Sweet) on drums and, according to band bassist Jan Frewer, is thought to have been recorded in 1965. Between 1965 and '69, when he joined Deep Purple, he achieved minor success with Episode SixEpisode Six
Episode Six was a British vocal pop-rock group during the mid 1960s. The band was not well known, but foreshadowed the arrival of Deep Purple in late 1960s...
.
Deep Purple, 1969-73
After Deep Purple members Jon LordJon Lord
Jonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord is an English composer, pianist and Hammond organ player.Jon Lord, also known as 'Hammond Lord', is a classically trained piano player. He is recognised for his Hammond organ blues-rock sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms...
and Ritchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore
Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
saw one of his lead vocal performances with Episode Six, they approached him to replace Rod Evans
Rod Evans
Rod Evans is a former English singer and was a founding member of Deep Purple in 1968. He provided vocals for the group's first three albums, including the hit singles "Hush" and "Kentucky Woman". He was replaced by Ian Gillan in 1969.-Early career:Before joining Deep Purple, Evans played together...
in Deep Purple.
Gillan was a member of Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
from 1969 through to 1973, appearing on such now-classic Deep Purple albums as In Rock
Deep Purple in Rock
Deep Purple in Rock is an album by English rock band Deep Purple, released in June 1970. It was their fourth studio album and the first with the classic Mk II lineup. Rod Evans and Nick Simper had been fired in June 1969 and were replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, respectively...
, Fireball
Fireball (album)
-Side two:-Bonus tracks on the 25th anniversary CD re-issue:-side one:-Side two:-Personnel:* Ian Gillan - vocals* Ritchie Blackmore - guitar* Roger Glover - bass* Jon Lord - keyboards, Hammond organ* Ian Paice - drums-Additional personnel:...
, Machine Head
Machine Head (album)
Machine Head is the sixth studio album released by the English rock band Deep Purple. It was recorded through December 1971 in Montreux, Switzerland, and released in March 1972....
, Made In Japan and Who Do We Think We Are
Who Do We Think We Are
-Side two:-Bonus tracks on the Remastered edition CD re-issue:-Personnel:* Ian Gillan - vocals, harmonica* Ritchie Blackmore - guitar* Roger Glover - bass* Jon Lord - keyboards* Ian Paice - drums-Additional personnel:* Produced by Deep Purple...
. He had initially joined the band for its 1969 Concerto for Group and Orchestra
Concerto for Group and Orchestra
The Concerto for Group and Orchestra is a concerto composed by Jon Lord, with lyrics written by Ian Gillan. It was first performed by Deep Purple and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold on 24 September 1969 and released on vinyl in December 1969. The release was the first...
, a one-off show with England's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra that was made into an album. During these years, he also was the voice of Jesus on the original 1970 album recording of Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
. He was offered the lead role in the 1973 film adaptation
Jesus Christ Superstar (film)
Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1973 American film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera of the same name. Directed by Norman Jewison, the film centers on the conflict between Judas and Jesus during the last weeks before the crucifixion of Jesus...
. Ian demanded to be paid not only for his role in the movie but insisted, without the consent of his manager, that the entire band be paid because filming would conflict with a scheduled tour. The producers declined and Ian continued on in the band. Citing exhaustion and a poor working relationship with the band, particularly Blackmore, Gillan left Deep Purple in the summer of 1973.
Namesake groups
After his departure from Deep Purple, Gillan retired from performing to pursue various unsuccessful business ventures, including a racing motor-cycle business and a hotel. However, encouraged by his reception at the Butterfly BallButterfly Ball
The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast is a concept album and subsequent live rock opera appearing in 1974 and 1975 respectively, based on the children's book of the same title .- Origin and production history :The work was originally conceived as a solo vehicle for Jon Lord to be produced...
in 1975, he decided to resume his singing career. He formed the Ian Gillan Band
Ian Gillan Band
The Ian Gillan Band was a jazz-rock fusion band formed by Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan in 1975.-History:After leaving Deep Purple in 1973, Ian Gillan had retired from the music business to pursue other business ventures, including a motorbike manufacturing company and a hotel. These ventures all...
. The early band sound had a distinct jazz-rock
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
aspect which proved unpopular and was replaced by a more high powered hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
sound as Gillan changed the lineup and shortened the group's name to Gillan
Gillan
Gillan was a rock band formed in 1978 by Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan.-History:In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called the Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan...
. Writing the bulk of new material with keyboardist Colin Towns
Colin Towns
Colin Towns is an English composer, born 13 May 1948 in London, specialising in soundtracks for film, television and commercials. Learning piano as a child, by the age of 13 he was earning money playing at weddings and birthdays in his neighbourhood of the East End of London...
, the release of Mr. Universe
Mr. Universe (album)
Mr. Universe is the second album by the British rock band Gillan, and the first with the classic line-up with Gillan, Towns, McCoy, Tormé and Underwood.Released in October 1979...
saw Ian Gillan back in the UK charts, although the independent record company the album came out on – Acrobat – folded soon after the album was released, prompting a contract with Richard Branson
Richard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
's Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. Through several more lineup changes the band released a string of UK hit singles and successful albums including Glory Road, Future Shock
Future Shock (Gillan album)
Future Shock is the fourth album by the British rock band Gillan. Released by Virgin in 1981, it reached number 2 in the UK album chart; this would remain the band's highest placing.The title is taken from Alvin Toffler's book Future Shock....
, Double Trouble
Double Trouble (Gillan album)
Double Trouble is an album by the British rock band Gillan, released in 1981. It was released as a double album, the first disc containing studio material, and the second containing live recordings. It reached #12 in the UK charts. In 1989, Virgin re-released the album, with the same track listing,...
, and finally Magic
Magic (Gillan album)
Magic is an album by British rock band Gillan, their final collaboration, released in 1982. It was reissued in 1989 with seven "bonus" tracks, including cover versions and B-sides. "South Africa" /"John" was a single Ian had written and recorded with guitarist Bernie Marsden.Although the album was...
.
In 1982 Ian Gillan announced the band would fold as he needed to rest his damaged vocal cords. The tone and style of his singing changed considerably when he eventually returned. His voice had a more nasal tone and this can be heard on albums he has made from 1983 to the present day. His use of multi-tracked backing vocals also became highly prominent.
Black Sabbath
In 1983 he joined Black SabbathBlack Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
(replacing Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie James Dio
Ronald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
) for a year to record the Born Again
Born Again (Black Sabbath)
Born Again is the eleventh studio album by English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in August 1983.It has been panned by critics, but reached #4 in the UK charts as well as the top 40 in the United States....
album and tour
Born Again Tour 1983
The Born Again Tour 1983 was a global concert tour by in support of Black Sabbath's Born Again album. Both the album and the tour were the only ones of Black Sabbath's to feature former Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan on lead vocals...
(on which Black Sabbath played the Deep Purple standard "Smoke on the Water
Smoke on the Water
"Smoke on the Water" is a song by the British hard rock band Deep Purple. It was first released on their 1972 album Machine Head. In 2004, the song was ranked number 426 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time, and in March 2005, Q magazine placed "Smoke on the Water"...
" as an encore). He was largely dissatisfied with his stint in Sabbath, notably the final mix of the Born Again album (though he liked the songs and their original mixes), and its cover, which featured a demonic-looking baby. He was quoted in Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
in 1984 as saying "I looked at the cover and puked." In an interview supporting Deep Purple's reformation in 1984, he stated of Born Again, "they had sent me a box of records. And when I saw the cover and heard the mix, I smashed every single one of them to pieces."
The album spawned only one semi-successful radio track, "Keep It Warm". In an interview on Part 2 of the VHS, The Black Sabbath Story (1992), he said, "I was the worst singer Black Sabbath ever had..." However, he stated in the same interview that he liked the members of Sabbath personally: "I love Tony
Tony Iommi
Anthony Frank "Tony" Iommi is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as the founding member of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and its sole continual member through multiple personnel changes.Iommi is widely recognised as one of the most important and influential guitarists in...
, love Geezer
Geezer Butler
Geezer Butler is an English musician and songwriter. Butler is best known as the bassist and lyricist of heavy metal band Black Sabbath. He was also involved in Heaven & Hell from 2006 to 2010.-Career:Butler formed his first band, Rare Breed, with old friend John "Ozzy" Osbourne in the autumn of...
."
Rejoining Deep Purple, 1984-89 and 1992-present
Gillan joined a reunited Deep Purple in early 1984 after the somewhat disappointing Black Sabbath album [by his own admission], Born Again in 1983. The 1984 comeback with Deep Purple was a highly-acclaimed and very successful album Perfect StrangersPerfect Strangers (album)
Perfect Strangers is the eleventh studio album by Deep Purple, released in October 1984. It represents the first album recorded by the reformed, the most successful and popular, 'Mark II' line-up....
that was followed by one of the most successful rock tours of 1985. Another studio album with this formation, The House of Blue Light
The House of Blue Light
The House of Blue Light is the twelfth studio album by Deep Purple, released in 1987. It is the second recording by the re-formed Mark II lineup....
(1987) was followed by the live album Nobody's Perfect (1988). The live album also featured a studio re-recording of the 1968 hit "Hush" with Gillan on vocals, to commemorate Deep Purple's 20th anniversary. (The original 1968 release had been sung by Rod Evans.)
Gillan was sacked in 1989, being replaced by former Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner
Joe Lynn Turner
Joe Lynn Turner , is an American rock singer, known for his works with Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, Deep Purple. From the late 1990s, he continued to perform in a large number of solo albums and other studio projects...
for one Deep Purple studio album. At the urging of Lord and Paice, who wanted him in the fold for the band's 25th anniversary tour, he rejoined in 1992 to record the album The Battle Rages On
The Battle Rages On
The Battle Rages On... is the 14th studio album by Deep Purple, released in 1993. It is the last album recorded with the band's classic Mk II line-up reunited for a second time . Since Ian Gillan returned to the band in late 1992, he reworked much of material already existing for the album...
. During the 1993 tour for this album, Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple for good. The rest of Deep Purple carried on, eventually replacing Blackmore with Steve Morse
Steve Morse
Steven J. "Steve" Morse is an American guitarist and composer, best known for his work in the hard rock band Deep Purple since 1994. He began his career to form the unique styled instrumental rock band Dixie Dregs in the 1970. Morse's musical inspiration comes from country, funk, jazz fusion, and...
, and Gillan remains in the band to the present day.
Solo activity in the 2000s
In June 2004 Gillan performed guest lead vocals on Smokescreen as part of Dean Howard – Volume One. Dean Howard (T'pau/Gillan/Repo Depo) co-wrote some of the material that went towards Gillan's "Dreamcatcher" album.In February 2005 Ian Gillan guested at Jeff Healey
Jeff Healey
Norman Jeffrey "Jeff" Healey was a blind Canadian jazz and blues-rock vocalist and guitarist who attained musical and personal popularity, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.-Early life:...
's concert in Toronto, Canada and was also among artists performing at the House of Rock concert in St. Petersburg, Russia.
In April 2006 Gillan released a CD/multimedia project to document his 44-year career called Gillan's Inn. Tony Iommi
Tony Iommi
Anthony Frank "Tony" Iommi is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as the founding member of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and its sole continual member through multiple personnel changes.Iommi is widely recognised as one of the most important and influential guitarists in...
, Jeff Healey
Jeff Healey
Norman Jeffrey "Jeff" Healey was a blind Canadian jazz and blues-rock vocalist and guitarist who attained musical and personal popularity, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.-Early life:...
, Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
, Dean Howard
Dean Howard
Dean Howard is a guitarist who was part of Ian Gillan's backing band on the Deep Purple frontman's U.S. solo tour in August and September 2006...
, as well as current and former members of Deep Purple such as Jon Lord, Roger Glover
Roger Glover
Roger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
, Ian Paice
Ian Paice
Ian Anderson Paice is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the English rock band Deep Purple. As of Jon Lord's departure in 2002, he is the only founding member of the band who never stopped performing with the group, and the only member to appear on every album the band has...
, Don Airey
Don Airey
Donald Airey has been the keyboardist in the rock band Deep Purple since 2002, succeeding Jon Lord...
and Steve Morse
Steve Morse
Steven J. "Steve" Morse is an American guitarist and composer, best known for his work in the hard rock band Deep Purple since 1994. He began his career to form the unique styled instrumental rock band Dixie Dregs in the 1970. Morse's musical inspiration comes from country, funk, jazz fusion, and...
are featured on this 2006 CD and DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
. The project includes a re-recorded selection of his Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and solo tracks. It was produced by Nick Blagona. In a recent interview, Gillan announced that his solo albums from the 1970s and 1980s would be re-issued late in 2006 through the Demon record company. These albums began to be released in early 2007.
Also, on 11 September 2006, Ian Gillan promoted the Gillan's Inn tour by having local guitarists compete through local radio stations to play on stage with the band during the famous song "Smoke on the Water". The promotion was titled "Smoke This!". On the 11 September show, Lars Ulrich
Lars Ulrich
Lars Ulrich is a Danish drummer, and one of the founding members of the American thrash metal band Metallica. He was born in Gentofte, Denmark to an upper-middle class family. A tennis player in his youth, Ulrich moved to Los Angeles, California at age sixteen to pursue his training; though rather...
, drummer for thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
joined Gillan on stage for "Smoke on the Water," along with the local contest winner, David Gizzarelli. Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
was scheduled to join the lineup as well, but was called to the studio for last minute revisions.
In 2006 a single called Eternity was released for the Japanese Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
game Blue Dragon, composed by Nobuo Uematsu
Nobuo Uematsu
is a Japanese video game composer, best known for scoring the majority of titles in the Final Fantasy series. He is considered as one of the most famous and respected composers in the video game community...
and featuring the vocals of Gillan. That same song was reused in the fan-made, freeware RPG Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden
Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden
Tales of Game's Presents Chef Boyardee's Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden, Chapter 1 of the Hoopz Barkley SaGa is a freeware RPG developed by Tales of Game's Studios, presented as an unofficial sequel to Barkley Shut Up and Jam! and Space Jam...
for battles against VinceBorg2050 (a combination of cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
& Vince Carter
Vince Carter
Vincent Lamar "Vince" Carter is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. He is a shooting guard who can also play small forward....
). The Eternity file in the Barkley game music folder is labeled "jesus christ the guy from deep purple sang this".
On 31 March 2006 Gillan appeared at the Tommy Vance
Tommy Vance
Tommy Vance was a British pop radio broadcaster, born in Eynsham, Oxfordshire. He was one of the few music broadcasters in the United Kingdom to champion hard rock and heavy metal in the early 1980s, providing the only national radio forum for both bands and fans...
tribute concert in London. He was accompanied by Roger Glover
Roger Glover
Roger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
, Steve Morris, Dean Howard, Michael Lee Jackson, Harry James, Sim Jones and Richard Cottle.
Also in 2006, Ian Gillan sang on two songs off the Jon Lord & Hoochie Coochie Men studio album, Danger. White Men Dancing, released in late 2007.
On 2 April 2007 Gillan released a DVD Highway Star - A Journey in Rock
Highway Star - A Journey in Rock
Highway Star - A Journey In Rock is a feature length documentary film about the life and music of Ian Gillan, released in April 2007 by Universal. The 2-disc DVD edition features over six hours of footage...
. The DVD has 6 hours of footage including documentaries and music clips.
In June 2007 he sang with the group Sed Nove and Ann Wilson
Ann Wilson
Ann Dustin Wilson is an American musician, best known as the lead singer, flute player, songwriter, and occasional guitar player of the rock band Heart.-Personal life:...
in the Festival of Music in Paris.
In February 2008 Gillan released a double live album on Edel Records, Live in Anaheim that features Gillan and Deep Purple classic songs and several rarities. A companion DVD was released in May 2008.
On 3 May 2008 Ian Gillan performed at the Jeff Healey
Jeff Healey
Norman Jeffrey "Jeff" Healey was a blind Canadian jazz and blues-rock vocalist and guitarist who attained musical and personal popularity, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.-Early life:...
memorial concert in Toronto, Canada.
He released a new studio album entitled One Eye to Morocco
One Eye To Morocco
One Eye To Morocco is a solo album by Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan. The album material was written during the gap of Deep Purple's 2008 world tour, in the USA...
in March 2009.
In recent years Ian Gillan has been performing occasionally with orchestras in Europe singing mainly Deep Purple hits (2007: Greece, 2008: Italy, 2009: Germany, Poland). During his visit in Poland, in August 2009, Ian Gillan was presented with the plaque at the Gdansk Walk of Fame.
On 2 October 2009, in honour of the 20th anniversary of 'Rock Aid Armenia
Rock Aid Armenia
Rock Aid Armenia was a humanitarian effort by the British music industry to raise money to help those affected by the Leninakan Earthquake of 1988 that struck Armenia....
', Gillan together with Tony Iommi
Tony Iommi
Anthony Frank "Tony" Iommi is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as the founding member of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and its sole continual member through multiple personnel changes.Iommi is widely recognised as one of the most important and influential guitarists in...
, Geoff Downes
Geoff Downes
Geoffrey "Geoff" Downes is an English rock keyboard player, songwriter, best known as the keyboardist for the bands The Buggles, Yes and Asia, of which he is the only consistent member. When he was a keyboardist for The Buggles, he played multiple keyboards to achieve a New Wave technopop sound...
, and the project organizer Jon Dee were received by the Prime Minister of Armenia
Prime Minister of Armenia
The Prime Minister of Armenia is the most senior minister within the Armenian government, and is required by the constitution to "oversee the Government's regular activities and coordinate the work of the Ministers." The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of Armenia, but can be removed by...
who awarded them with the republic's Orders of Honour.
On March 26 and 27 2010, in Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
, Gillan performs with State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia. At a press conference in Yerevan on March 27, Gillan said he considers Armenia his spiritual motherland.
Ian Gillan met Tony Iommi
Tony Iommi
Anthony Frank "Tony" Iommi is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as the founding member of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and its sole continual member through multiple personnel changes.Iommi is widely recognised as one of the most important and influential guitarists in...
, Nicko McBrain
Nicko McBrain
Michael Henry "Nicko" McBrain is an English musician, best known as the drummer for Iron Maiden, which he joined in 1982, prior to which he had played for Streetwalkers, Pat Travers, and the French political band, Trust.-Biography:...
and Jon Lord
Jon Lord
Jonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord is an English composer, pianist and Hammond organ player.Jon Lord, also known as 'Hammond Lord', is a classically trained piano player. He is recognised for his Hammond organ blues-rock sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms...
, Mikko Lindström from HIM and Jason Newsted
Jason Newsted
Jason Curtis Newsted is an American bassist known for his work with Metallica, Voivod and Flotsam and Jetsam. Joining Metallica in 1986 after Cliff Burton's death, Newsted remained a member until 2001, making him the band's longest-serving bassist...
at a studio in London to finish recording a song called ‘Out of my Mind’, which was released 6 May 2011. This is for the benefit of the music school to be built in Gyumri, Armenia – a project Ian Gillan has been working on with others since his concerts in Yerevan (17–20 May 1990)
On the flight back from Armenia last year, after each receiving the Armenian Presidential medal of Honour, Gillan and Tony decided to form the band WhoCares for ad hoc recordings (and possible performances) dedicated to raising money for specific causes.
Side projects
In 2010 Ian Gillan hosted a documentary about great Polish composer and pianist Fryderyk Chopin in Poland directed by Jerzy Szkamruk. Chopin's Story is about the rise of artistic genius of the composer and documents his Polish years. The film has won several international awards, including the Best Documentary award at Tourfilm International Festival in Florianopolis, Brazil. It will be aired on Polish channel Discovery Historia on June 21, 2011. A worldwide DVD release is also in the works.Personal life
Family
In 1984, Gillan married his girlfriend Bron, to whom he had dedicated "Keep It Warm" from Black SabbathBlack Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
's 1983 album Born Again. They have twice since renewed their marriage vows. Gillan has two children and three grandchildren all of whom were brought up in Scotland. Gillan moved to southern Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
in the late 2000s.
Gillan's mother, Audrey Parkinson, often visits him while he is touring with Deep Purple in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. She can often be seen sitting to the side of the stage.
Other
He is a passionate football fan, supporting Queens Park Rangers F.C.Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
He is also a big fan of cricket.
Gillan is well known for his intolerance of aggressive crowd security personnel at concerts. On 15 August 1998, he was charged with assault after striking a security guard on the head with a microphone.
In 2004, he was banned from driving for 16 months and fined £500 for being twice over the legal alcohol limit.
His surname is often misspelled as "Gillian". Gillan himself made light of this in the lyrics to "MTV", a track from Deep Purple's 2005 album Rapture of the Deep
Rapture of the Deep
Rapture of the Deep is the 18th studio album by English hard rock band Deep Purple, released in November 2005. It is currently the band's most recent studio album....
.
With Episode Six
- Put Yourself In My Place (1987)
- The Complete Episode Six (1991)
- BBC Radio 1 Live 1998/1969 (1997)
- Cornflakes and Crazyfoam (2002)
- Love, Hate, Revenge (2005)
- Compilation albums of songs recorded between 1965 and 1969
Studio albums
Numerical values indicate highest position achieved in the United Kingdom album charts.- Deep Purple in RockDeep Purple in RockDeep Purple in Rock is an album by English rock band Deep Purple, released in June 1970. It was their fourth studio album and the first with the classic Mk II lineup. Rod Evans and Nick Simper had been fired in June 1969 and were replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, respectively...
No. 4 (1970) - FireballFireball (album)-Side two:-Bonus tracks on the 25th anniversary CD re-issue:-side one:-Side two:-Personnel:* Ian Gillan - vocals* Ritchie Blackmore - guitar* Roger Glover - bass* Jon Lord - keyboards, Hammond organ* Ian Paice - drums-Additional personnel:...
No. 1 (1971) - Machine HeadMachine Head (album)Machine Head is the sixth studio album released by the English rock band Deep Purple. It was recorded through December 1971 in Montreux, Switzerland, and released in March 1972....
No. 1 (1972) - Who Do We Think We AreWho Do We Think We Are-Side two:-Bonus tracks on the Remastered edition CD re-issue:-Personnel:* Ian Gillan - vocals, harmonica* Ritchie Blackmore - guitar* Roger Glover - bass* Jon Lord - keyboards* Ian Paice - drums-Additional personnel:* Produced by Deep Purple...
No. 4 (1973) - Perfect StrangersPerfect Strangers (album)Perfect Strangers is the eleventh studio album by Deep Purple, released in October 1984. It represents the first album recorded by the reformed, the most successful and popular, 'Mark II' line-up....
No. 5 (1984) - The House of Blue LightThe House of Blue LightThe House of Blue Light is the twelfth studio album by Deep Purple, released in 1987. It is the second recording by the re-formed Mark II lineup....
No. 10 (1987) - The Battle Rages OnThe Battle Rages OnThe Battle Rages On... is the 14th studio album by Deep Purple, released in 1993. It is the last album recorded with the band's classic Mk II line-up reunited for a second time . Since Ian Gillan returned to the band in late 1992, he reworked much of material already existing for the album...
No. 21 (1993) - PurpendicularPurpendicularPurpendicular is the fifteenth studio album by English rock band, Deep Purple. Released in 1996, it is their first album with Steve Morse, guitarist of Dixie Dregs. It was recorded at Greg Rike Productions, Orlando, Florida, February to October 1995 and engineered by Darren Schneider and Keith...
No. 58 (1996) - AbandonAbandon (album)Abandon is the sixteenth studio album by Deep Purple released in 1998.The album title is actually a pun from Ian Gillan – "A Band On" – and the album was followed by the "A Band On Tour". Uniquely for a Deep Purple studio album, it features a reworking of a previously recorded song...
No. 76 (1998) - BananasBananas (album)Bananas is the 17th studio album by English rock band Deep Purple, released on October 7, 2003. It includes "Contact Lost", a short, slow instrumental about the Columbia astronauts, written by guitarist Steve Morse when he heard the sad news of the crash....
No. 85 (2003) - Rapture of the DeepRapture of the DeepRapture of the Deep is the 18th studio album by English hard rock band Deep Purple, released in November 2005. It is currently the band's most recent studio album....
No. 81 (2005)
Live albums
- Concerto for Group and OrchestraConcerto for Group and OrchestraThe Concerto for Group and Orchestra is a concerto composed by Jon Lord, with lyrics written by Ian Gillan. It was first performed by Deep Purple and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold on 24 September 1969 and released on vinyl in December 1969. The release was the first...
(1969) - Made in JapanMade in Japan (album)Made in Japan is a double live album by English rock band Deep Purple, recorded during their first tour of Japan in August 1972. It was originally released in December 1972, with a U.S...
(1972) - Deep Purple in ConcertDeep Purple In ConcertDeep Purple in Concert is an album by British hard rock band Deep Purple, of two concerts recorded by the BBC for their "In Concert" live series, recorded in 1970 and 1972. First released in 1980 in the UK, with the current US edition being made available in 2001...
(1980) (Live 1970 & 1972) - Scandinavian NightsScandinavian NightsScandinavian Nights is a double live album by Deep Purple. It was originally recorded by Swedish National Radio for a radio show called Tonkraft at the Stockholm Konserthuset on 12 November 1970, but not released until 1988. The tapes re-mixed by Tom Leader at Angel Studios...
(1988) (Live 1970) - Nobody's Perfect (1988)
- In the Absence of PinkIn The Absence of PinkIn the Absence of Pink is a live album released by Deep Purple. It was originally recorded by BBC Radio on Purple's triumphant return to their British home soil at the Knebworth Festival on June 22, 1985 after reforming in 1984 and was broadcast shortly thereafter...
(1991) (Live 1985) - Gemini Suite LiveGemini Suite LiveGemini Suite Live is a recording of Jon Lord's classical/rock piece featuring the whole of Deep Purple Mk 2, recorded live during this one and only live performance in 1970...
(1993) (Live 1970) - Live in JapanLive in Japan (Deep Purple album)Live in Japan is a triple live album by English rock group Deep Purple, released on CD in November 1993. The album was recorded over three nights in August 1972 in Japan. It's a "Twenty-first anniversary collectors 3CD set" of Made in Japan...
(1993) (Live 1972) - Come Hell or High WaterCome Hell or High WaterCome Hell or High Water is a CD and DVD by the hard rock group Deep Purple. It was recorded on October 16, 1993 in "Hans-Martin-Schleyer-Halle" in Stuttgart, Germany and in Birmingham on November 9....
(1994) - Live at the Olympia '96Live at the Olympia '96"Live at the Olympia '96" is a live double album by British hard rock band Deep Purple. It was recorded at the Olympia in Paris on June 17, 1996 during the Purpendicular tour and released in 1997....
(1997) - Total Abandon: Live in Australia (1999)
- The Soundboard SeriesThe Soundboard SeriesThe Soundboard Series is a live box set recorded and released by the band Deep Purple in 2001. The set contains six double CDs featuring recordings from six different concerts...
(2001) - Live at the Royal Albert HallLive at the Royal Albert Hall (Deep Purple album)Live at the Royal Albert Hall is a live album by British hard rock band Deep Purple, recorded on September 25 and September 26, 1999 at the Royal Albert Hall in London with the London Symphony Orchestra, and released on February 8, 2000 on Spitfire records.The album was a project started in 1999 by...
(2000) - Live at the Rotterdam AhoyLive at the Rotterdam AhoyLive at the Rotterdam Ahoy is a live album recorded by Deep Purple on the 30th of October 2000 and released in 2001. It includes most of a concert performed in Rotterdam, Holland during the 2000/2001 "Concerto Tour". The Concerto for Group and Orchestra itself was performed, but it does not...
(2001) - Live in Europe 1993Live in Europe 1993Live in Europe 1993 is a live box set containing two concerts recorded by Deep Purple in 1993. The first recording is from a show on the 16th of October at the Schleyerhalle in Stuttgart, Germany...
(2006) - Live at Montreux 1996Live at Montreux 1996Live at Montreux 1996 is a live album and DVD by British hard rock band Deep Purple, recorded in 1996 and released in 2006.The CD and DVD release features live performances from Montreux in 1996 and 2000.-CD track listing:...
(2006) (Live 1996 & 2000) - They All Came Down To MontreuxThey All Came Down to MontreuxLive At Montreux 2006: They All Came Down To Montreux is the first live release by English hard-rock band Deep Purple's mk VIII lineup. This concert was recorded in Montreux, during 2006 Rapture of the Deep tour...
(2007)
With Ian Gillan Band and Gillan
- Child in TimeChild in Time (album)Child In Time is an album by British jazz-rock fusion band Ian Gillan Band, released in 1976. The album took its title from the Deep Purple song "Child in Time", a version of which appears on side two of the LP. This was Ian Gillan's first release after leaving Deep Purple, and also features his...
(1976) - Clear Air TurbulenceClear Air TurbulenceClear Air Turbulence is an album by British jazz-rock fusion band Ian Gillan Band, released in 1977 with cover by Chris Foss. The album was reissued in 1989 by Virgin Records on CD.- Track listing :...
(1977) - ScarabusScarabusScarabus is an album by British jazz-rock fusion band Ian Gillan Band, released in 1977. The album was reissued in 1989 by Virgin Records on CD. The reissue included an extra track, "My Baby Loves Me"...
(1977) - Live at the BudokanLive at the Budokan (Ian Gillan Band album)Live at the Budokan is a live album by the Ian Gillan Band, recorded live on 22 September 1977 in Tokyo, Japan. Originally it was released in two volumes in Japan in late 1977 and early 1978 by EastWorld Records. In July 1983 it was re-issued as a double album in the UK by Virgin Records. CD...
(1977, EUR: 1983) - GillanGillan (album)Gillan is the first album by British rock band Gillan, released in September 1978. It was only released in Japan, Australia and New Zealand, but the album sold well in the UK as an import, aided by positive press reviews...
(aka The Japanese Album) (1978) - Mr. UniverseMr. Universe (album)Mr. Universe is the second album by the British rock band Gillan, and the first with the classic line-up with Gillan, Towns, McCoy, Tormé and Underwood.Released in October 1979...
(1979) - Glory Road (1980)
- Future ShockFuture Shock (Gillan album)Future Shock is the fourth album by the British rock band Gillan. Released by Virgin in 1981, it reached number 2 in the UK album chart; this would remain the band's highest placing.The title is taken from Alvin Toffler's book Future Shock....
(1981) - Double TroubleDouble Trouble (Gillan album)Double Trouble is an album by the British rock band Gillan, released in 1981. It was released as a double album, the first disc containing studio material, and the second containing live recordings. It reached #12 in the UK charts. In 1989, Virgin re-released the album, with the same track listing,...
(live) (1981) - MagicMagic (Gillan album)Magic is an album by British rock band Gillan, their final collaboration, released in 1982. It was reissued in 1989 with seven "bonus" tracks, including cover versions and B-sides. "South Africa" /"John" was a single Ian had written and recorded with guitarist Bernie Marsden.Although the album was...
(1982) - The Gillan Singles Box Set (2007)
- The Glory YearsGillan (film)The Glory Years is a DVD from a rock group Gillan released in 2008 by Eagle Rock Entertainment. It consists of live concert recorded at Oxford Polytechnic, England on February 18, 1981 and the band's guest performances on German TV and BBC's TV chart show Top of the Pops.-Track listing:1. "Unchain...
(2008, DVD) (Recorded live 1981) - Triple Trouble (2009) (Recorded live 1981/1982)
Studio Albums
- Accidentally on Purpose (1988, as Gillan & Glover, with Roger GloverRoger GloverRoger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
) - "So I Like" (Έτσι μ’ αρέσει) (album) -Ian Gillan feat in Michalis Rakintzis ( Μιχάλης Ρακιντζής ) Album (1992)
- Naked ThunderNaked ThunderNaked Thunder is a 1990 solo album by Ian Gillan, released soon after his departure from Deep Purple in 1989. It features a varied selection of songs, with one of Gillan's most passionate and impressive performances in "Loving on Borrowed Time" and "No More Cane on the Brazos", a traditional tune...
(1990, US: 1997) - ToolboxToolbox (album)-Personnel:*Ian Gillan - lead vocals*Steve Morris - guitar*Brett Bloomfield - bass*Leonard Haze - drums* recorded at Battery Studios, London* Album produced by Chris Tsangarides....
(1991, US: 1997) - Cherkazoo and Other Stories ('73/'75 solo sessions) (1992)
- DreamcatcherDreamcatcher (Ian Gillan album)Dreamcatcher is a studio album by Ian Gillan, released in September 1997 in Japan, October 1997 in the United Kingdom and in May 1998 in the USA. All songs were performed by Ian Gillan accompanied by Steve Morris. The album was being worked on between 1995 and 1997.There are three different...
(1997, US: 1998) - Gillan's InnGillan's Inn (album)Gillan’s Inn is an album by Ian Gillan in celebration of his 40 years as a singer. The first release was a DualDisc composed of both a CD and a DVD side. The CD featured re-recorded tracks from all eras of Ian Gillan's singing career. In a recent interview Gillan observed that, despite the number...
(2006, Deluxe Tour Ed.: 2007) - One Eye to MoroccoOne Eye To MoroccoOne Eye To Morocco is a solo album by Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan. The album material was written during the gap of Deep Purple's 2008 world tour, in the USA...
(2009)
Live Albums
- Chris Tetley Presents: Garth Rockett & The Moonshiners (1989)
- Garth Rockett & The Moonshiners Live at the Ritz (1990, video)
- Ian Gillan Live (1990, 2001 on DVD as Classic Rock Legends - Ian Gillan)
- Live at the Ritz '89 (2000, as Ian Gillan & The Moonshiners)
- Highway Star - A Journey in RockHighway Star - A Journey in RockHighway Star - A Journey In Rock is a feature length documentary film about the life and music of Ian Gillan, released in April 2007 by Universal. The 2-disc DVD edition features over six hours of footage...
(2007, DVD) - Live in AnaheimLive in Anaheim (Ian Gillan album)Live in Anaheim is a double live album from Ian Gillan recorded live at the House of Blues, Anaheim, California on September 14, 2006 during the Gillan's Inn tour and released in April 2008 by Edel Music.-Track listing:CD 1# Second Sight...
(2008, CD/DVD)
Singles
- South Arfica (1988)
- "Get Away" (maxi-single) - Ian Gillan feat in Michalis Rakintzis ( Μιχάλης Ρακιντζής ) Album (1992)
- Eternity (2006)
- Out of My MindOut of My Mind (WhoCares song)Out of My Mind is a fund-raising CD single from WhoCares, a Tony Iommi and Ian Gillan collaboration, a direct continuation of the Rock Aid Armenia project. The CD was released on May 6, 2011 by Edel and also features Jon Lord, Jason Newsted, Linde Lindström and Nicko McBrain...
(2011) as WhoCares, with Tony Iommi
Compilation Albums
- What I Did On My VacationWhat I Did On My VacationWhat I Did On My Vacation is an official compilation album from Ian Gillan, released in 1986 in UK by 10 Records. The album covers Gillan's recordings between 1976 and 1982 and was made available in three formats: on vinyl as a double album, as a single CD and a cassette. All songs from the album...
(1986) - Trouble - The Best of Ian Gillan (1991)
- The Best of Ian Gillan (1992, Germany only) (compilation 1990/1991)
- Rock Profile (1995)
- Unchain Your Brain: The Best Of Gillan '76 - '82 (2008)
Guest appearances & other projects
- Jesus Christ SuperstarJesus Christ Superstar (album)Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1970 rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The album musical is a musical dramatisation of the last week of the life of Jesus Christ, beginning with his entry into Jerusalem and ending with the Crucifixion....
(1970, original album recording) - Sammy - Sammy (1972) - Co-producer
- Jerusalem - Jerusalem (1972) - Producer
- Pussy - Feline Woman / Ska Child (1972) - Producer
- Cliff Bennett - Nightride (1981) - Co-producer
- Zero Nine - Blank Verse (1982) - Co-producer
- Rock Aid ArmeniaRock Aid ArmeniaRock Aid Armenia was a humanitarian effort by the British music industry to raise money to help those affected by the Leninakan Earthquake of 1988 that struck Armenia....
- The Earthquake Album (1990, "Smoke On The Water '90") - Pretty Maids – In Santa's Claws (EP, 1990, "In Santa's Claws", "A Merry Jingle")
- The Bolland Project – Darwin (The Evolution) (1992, "Overture", "Finale", "The Long Goodbye / The Final Curtain Falls")
- Mihalis Rakintzhs – Getaway (1993, "Getaway", "My Heart Remains The Same", "I Think I Know")
- Ray Slijngaard & Ian Gillan – Smoke On The Water Rock 'N' Rap Extravaganza (1998, "Smoke On The Water")
- Jill Towers – Welcome to Dreamfield (1999) - Co-producer
- Jill Towers - Miserably Happy (2001, harmonica on "I Know What U'r Lookin'")
- Dean Howard – Volume One (2004, "Smokescreen")
- Rock SchoolRock SchoolRock School is a British reality TV series starring Gene Simmons , in which he has a short time to turn a class of school children into a fully fledged rock band, at the end of which they must perform in a supporting slot for a leading rock band.Rock School is made by British production company...
– Movie soundtrack (2005, "Highway Star") - Leslie West – Guitarded (2005, "Hang Me Out To Dry")
- Michael Lee Jackson – In a Heartbeat (2006, "Have Love Will Travel")
- Hoochie Coochie Men & Jon Lord – Danger. White Men Dancing (2007, "Over & Over", "If This Ain't The Blues")
Film & TV appearances
- Deep Purple - Heavy Metal Pioneers (1991, interviewee)
- The Black Sabbath Story, Vol. 2 (1992, interviewee)
- Rock Family Trees - ep. 'Deep Purple (1995, interviewee)
- Classic Albums - ep 'Deep Purple: Machine Head (2002, interviewee)
- Roger Glover - Made in Wales (2004, interviewee)
- Heavy Metal Britannia (2010, interviewee)
- The Seventies - ep. '1970 (2010, interviewee)
- Pictures of Home - Armenia Grateful 2 Rock (2010, interviewee)
Books
- Gillan, Ian (1980), Candy Horizon, book of poems
- Gillan, Ian (1998), Ian Gillan: The Autobiography of Deep Purple's Lead Singer. Blake Pub, ISBN 1857823206. (2nd ed./1st ed. – 1993)
- Gillan, Ian (2006), Smoke This!: The Warblings, Rants, Philosophies, and Musings from the Singer of Deep Purple. Immergent, ISBN 0978825403.
External links
- Authorised links from Gillan.com
- Official site for the Gillan's Inn Project
- [ Ian Gillan AMG bio]