Gillian Does Rock
We listen to the music of The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Many of us know Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. Others have pictures of Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin or Bob Marley mounted on the walls of their rooms. They are just few of the rock artists who made a name in the music industry, rock genre particularly. Fans all over the world swoon over them. Their albums earned millions and advertisers are after them to propose some deals. Indeed, rock music paved a way for these names to be popular almost anywhere in the world.
Another artist with significant contribution to rock music, English rock music particularly, is Ian Gillan. This guy, a vocalist and songwriter, is best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple from 1969 to 1973. He became part of the band’s albums In Rock, Fireball, Machine Head, Made in Japan and Who Do We Think We Are. In 1970, he was also the voice of Jesus in the original recording of Jesus Christ Superstar.
After he left Deep Purple, he formed the Ian Gillan Band, initially focusing on jazz-rock music. However, it was proven unpopular hence the music was replaced by high powered hard rock. The lineup was changed so is the name of the group to Gillan. The group was able to release albums such as Glory Road, Future Shock, Double Trouble and Magic. Sadly, this stint ended in 1982 due to his damaged vocal chords.
After a year’s rest and changed tone and style of singing, he joined Black Sabbath in 1983. He was part of the album Born Again however, the stint didn’t last long and the album has only one successful track.
The following year, he rejoined Deep Purple and recorded the albums Perfect Strangers, The House of Blue Light in 1987 and Nobody’s Perfect in 1988. In 1989, he was sacked for one Deep Purple Studio album and rejoined again in 1992 at the urging of Lord and Paice for the band’s 25th anniversary tour. Up to this day, Gillan is still part of the band.
Apart from the group stints, he also have several solo activities; performing as guest lead vocals in various concert, CD/multimedia project to document his career, solo tracks, live and studio albums and performed with the Philharmonic Orchestra.
Like other artists, Gillan also performs for various causes. Together with Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, they formed WhoCares, a band dedicated to raising money for a good cause. One project is the rebuilding of a music school on Gyumri, Armenia. WhoCares is stated to release their new material this 2011 with two new songs on digital download and limited edition CD single; Out of My Mind and Holy Water. The CD will also showcase Gillan and Tommi’s documentary regarding their involvement with the Armenia cause for years.
Fans are waiting for the release of these songs. Beneficiaries are thankful for this project. Gillan (and friends) indeed know how to rock!