In this episode, I finally get to sit down with a man I’ve been chasing for more than four years — the incomparable Ian Gillan of Deep Purple.

If you grew up on classic rock the way I did, you already know exactly what a monumental figure he is. Ian’s the powerhouse vocalist who helped define the sound of hard rock, pushed the limits of vocal technique, and gave us some of the most enduring songs in modern music history.

But this isn’t your typical rock-star chat. Ian opens up about everything — from hearing Elvis for the first time and singing as a boy soprano to scraping by with half-broken instruments, makeshift drum kits, and a single pair of trousers he rotated with Roger Glover.

He talks candidly about those early club days in Germany, the magic of the transistor radio, and how the surf-rock craze swept through London in the mid-60s.

We dive right into the evolution of Episode Six, the songwriting partnership with Roger Glover, the birth of Deep Purple’s legendary hard-rock sound, and the incredible creative chemistry that powered albums like In Rock, Fireball, and Machine Head.

Ian shares what it was really like inside the whirlwind of fame — the money, the mayhem, the distractions, the growing pains, and the moment he realised the band’s unity was starting to fracture.

He also reflects on the pressures of success, the importance of staying true to your artistic identity, and why he ultimately walked away from one of the biggest bands in the world. It’s raw, honest, funny, nostalgic, and full of the kind of stories only Ian Gillan can tell.

If you love Deep Purple, classic rock history, behind-the-scenes stories, or simply a great conversation with a remarkably self-aware and entertaining storyteller, this episode is going to be a treat.

Tune in and step inside the life, the voice, and the unstoppable spirit of Ian Gillan.

To learn more about Ian head to:

Ian Gillan (official site) www.gillan.com

Deep Purple – official band site deep-purple.com deep-purple.com

Deep Purple – Ian Gillan’s page on band site deep-purple.com/band/ian-gillan/ deep-purple.com