Ian Gillan is a rock vocalist from Hounslow, United Kingdom, best known as the singer of Deep Purple. He is associated with classic rock, hard rock and rock, and is credited with helping to bring vocal belting into rock music.

Career

Gillan joins Deep Purple in 1969 and becomes one of the band’s best-known members. He leaves in 1973, then forms the Ian Gillan Band after a short retirement. That group first uses a jazz-rock style, but later moves towards harder rock as the line-up changes and the name is shortened to Gillan.

With Gillan, he returns to the UK charts with Mr. Universe and follows it with a run of hit singles and albums including Glory Road, Future Shock, Double Trouble and Magic. He later ends the group when he needs to rest damaged vocal cords.

In 1970, he sings the role of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. He joins Black Sabbath in 1983 to record Born Again, then rejoins Deep Purple after the tour for that album ends in early 1984. He leaves again in 1989, then returns in 1992 and remains a member of the band.

Other projects and groups

Gillan’s other associated acts include Episode Six, The Javelins, Garth Rockett & The Moonshiners, Gillan & Glover, Repo Depo and WhoCares. He is also linked with the project Gillan’s Inn, which is intended to document his four-decade career and features contributions from Tony Iommi, Jeff Healey, various members of Deep Purple and others.

Style and recognition

Gillan is described as having a very wide vocal range, reported at around four and a half to five octaves, with a strong upper register and fluid movement across it. He is widely identified as one of rock’s foremost vocalists.

Labels

He is associated with Clear Air Music Ltd. and Ian Gillan Music Ltd.