Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan recently opened up about aging in rock music and the boundaries he sets for himself as he continues performing. He shared his thoughts in an interview with Louder Sound.
The legendary vocalist addressed the common perception about rock music being a young person’s game. He discussed how his approach to songwriting has evolved over the decades.
When asked whether the idea that rock’n’roll is a young man’s game is a myth, given that so many musicians are getting older, Gillan provided a candid response about his career evolution.
“It’s interesting you say that. Throughout your entire life, you’ve had to deal with this thing – you get older every day. It’s a slow process, but it happens,” Gillan said. “When you’re a kid, you write about fast cars and loose women and that sort of thing, or at least we did in those days. And it’s very rock’n’roll and had a lot of attack and youthful energy.”
The singer explained how his perspective shifted as he matured. This led to changes in his creative approach.
“But I started thinking in my thirties: ‘This is ridiculous, this feels uncomfortable.’ So you have to find other things to write about – stuff that’s interesting and off-the-wall. You have to adapt, otherwise you look like a fool,” he continued. “But you can write a song about anything, at least in my experience.”
Gillan then revealed his personal line in the sand regarding his future in music.
“I think if I lose my energy I’m going to stop. I don’t want to be an embarrassment to anyone. We’re not far off that. It creeps up on you – you don’t really notice,” he said. “But then this isn’t like a normal job. It’s all in your mind. The writing certainly is, and the ability. And these guys who I work with [in Deep Purple] just seem to keep improving. The hard thing is to keep them down.”
Gillan’s reflections on aging come at a particularly challenging time in his career. The vocalist faces significant health obstacles that could impact his future performances.
AOL reported that Gillan, who turned 80 in August, has revealed that he now has just 30 percent vision. He fears his performance capabilities may be declining. This health challenge adds weight to his earlier statements about knowing when to step away from the spotlight.
The Deep Purple frontman’s career spans over five decades. His most iconic vocal performances date back to the band’s Mark II lineup. 1001 Albums Generator noted that his soaring vocals on “Child in Time” from the 1970 album “Deep Purple in Rock” remain a defining moment of that youthful energy he referenced. The performance showcases the power and range that made him a rock legend.
Gillan’s journey through rock music has included notable departures and returns throughout his career. Wikipedia documented that he left Deep Purple to join Black Sabbath as vocalist. By 1984, Butler, Ward, and Gillan had all departed Black Sabbath. Gillan eventually rejoined Deep Purple. This pattern of exits and returns demonstrates his willingness to make difficult career decisions when circumstances no longer feel right.
Despite the challenges of aging and health concerns, Deep Purple continues to maintain their status as one of rock’s most enduring acts. Prog Archives described the archetypal hard rock band as hugely influential and still active after almost 40 years since their formation in Hertford, England in 1968. This proves that rock music can indeed transcend the traditional boundaries of age when the passion and energy remain intact.
