Interviews

Ian Gillan: Deeper into Deep Purple

More than half a century after its birth, the British hard rock giant is still flexing its muscles. Led by the legendary Ian Gillan, Deep Purple is releasing its 23rd studio album, featuring a new guitarist, Simon McBride. In an exclusive interview, Gillan looks back at the Deep Purple of yesterday and today. A fascinating interview.

Deep Purple - © Jim Rakete / earMUSIC Deep Purple - © Jim Rakete / earMUSIC

By Marc Zisman

To say that Deep Purple are a monument in rock history is an understatement... When you’ve penned such anthems as Smoke on the Water, Highway Star, Speed King, Fireball, Into the Fire and Child in Time, one could easily rest on their laurels. But singer Ian Gillan - 78 years old - and his band have never thought of retiring, and continue to tour the world, covering their legendary heavy hits as well as new songs, such as those on =1, a 100% Deep Purple album produced by wizard Bob Ezrin.

There are no surprises here, but there are plenty of solid tracks, thanks in particular to new guitarist Simon McBride, Purple’s fourth pyrotechnician after legends Ritchie Blackmore, Tommy Bolin and Steve Morse. What does Deep Purple look like in 2024, how did McBride fit in and how do we deal with this bygone golden age? Ian Gillan, anything but jaded, talks frankly about all these subjects, as well as his meeting with... Luciano Pavarotti!