Ian Gillan

Ian Gillan, the golden-throated maestro of rock, first let out his powerful wail on that fateful August day in 1945 at Chiswick Maternity Hospital in Middlesex. Picture this: The air thick with the sweet scent of victory gardens and the distant echoes of the war's end, a new chapter of music history is about to unfold as this baby boy takes his first breath.

Born into a world rebuilding from the rubble, Ian's life was destined to be a sonic revolution. His Scottish father, Bill, was a hardworking man with a heart of steel, toiling away in the storerooms of a London factory. Despite the tough exterior, Bill had a soft spot for the melodies of his homeland, hailing from the vibrant tapestry of Govan, Glasgow. Meanwhile, Ian's mother Audrey brought a touch of elegance and a passion for music into the mix, her family's love for song and the ivory keys of the piano resonating through the air of their modest abode.

It's easy to imagine the young Ian, surrounded by the rhythms of post-war Britain, being serenaded by the rich, soulful voices that filled his mother's lungs and the tender tunes that danced from her father's piano. This early exposure to music's magic must have been like a secret language, a code that would unlock his destiny as the frontman of one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, Deep Purple.

As he grew, Ian's voice became a force to be reckoned with, a howling beast that could shatter glass and stir souls. His journey to rock 'n' roll stardom was not a smooth one, though. Like the gritty streets of his youth, it was paved with obstacles and detours. But with the tenacity of a Scottish docker and the charisma of a born entertainer, he climbed the ladder of the music scene, one rung at a time.

Ian Gillan's original band, Garth Rockett and the Moonshiners, had him focusing on playing the drums and vocals with guitarist Chris Aylmer (who would go on to play with Bruce Dickinson). Songs like "Sheila" by Tommy Roe and "Apache" by The Shadows were covered by the group but after realising he couldn't play the drums and sing at the same time, he decided to take on the job of lead vocal duties.

And when he joined Deep Purple, something truly extraordinary happened. The stars aligned, the gods of rock took notice, and together they conjured a sound that would become the very essence of what we know as heavy rock. With hits like "Smoke on the Water" and "Highway Star," Ian's voice became the siren call for a generation hungry for a new kind of music, one that didn't just entertain but also spoke to the very marrow of their existence.

Through the years, Ian's vocal cords have weathered the storms of a thousand concerts, yet they've remained a beacon of power and emotion. His career, a testament to his unyielding spirit and the enduring power of rock, is a story of passion, perseverance, and a little bit of that working-class charm that made him the legend he is today. Deep Purple are currently on a Global tour, filling stadiums and rocking all over the world, pleasing loyal fans with the unique sound you can only get from such rock veterans. This renowned rock royalty member is known for not taking himself too seriously. Ian Gillan has seen and done almost everything at 79 and will be ending this 2024 tour in London at the O2 in November.

I saw Ian Gillan and Deep Purple perform in 1970 at a University hall in Birmingham when I was just 14 and will be lucky enough to see him perform again 50 odd years later also in Birmingham, at Resorts World Arena | Mon, 4 Nov 2024.

What a Man. What a career. What a star. What a privilege to meet. Long live the music that comes from this tight-nit band of our Rock history.