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Ian Gillan (born 19 August 1945) is an English singer who is best known as the lead singer and lyricist for the rock band Deep Purple. He is known for his powerful and wide-ranging singing voice. Initially influenced by Elvis Presley, Gillan started and fronted several local bands in the mid-1960s, and eventually joined Episode Six when their original singer left. He first found widespread commercial success after joining Deep Purple in 1969. He resigned from the band in June 1973, having given a lengthy notice period to their managers. After a short time away from the music business, he resumed his music career with solo bands the Ian Gillan Band and Gillan, before a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath in 1983. The following year, Deep Purple reformed and two more successful albums followed before he left in 1989. He returned to the group in 1992, and has remained its lead singer ever since. In addition to his main work—performing with Deep Purple and other bands during the 1970s and 1980s—he sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar (1970), performed in the charity supergroup Rock Aid Armenia, and engaged in a number of business investments and ventures, including a hotel, a motorcycle manufacturer, and music recording facilities at Kingsway Studios. More recently, he has performed solo concerts concurrently with his latter career in Deep Purple, and his work and affinity with Armenia, combined with his continued friendship with Tony Iommi since his brief time in Black Sabbath, has led him to form the supergroup WhoCares with Iommi. His solo career outside of Deep Purple was given a comprehensive overview with the Gillan's Inn box set in 2006. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ian Gillan, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2023
Deep Purple - Jazzopen Stuttgart 2023
Movie Self
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2019
Ian Gillan - Contractual Obligation #1: Live In Moscow
Movie himself
- 2018
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2017
Deep Purple at Hellfest
Movie Self
- 2017
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2017
Deep Purple: From Here To Infinite
Movie Self
- 2015
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2015
Deep Purple: ...To the Rising Sun in Tokyo
Movie Self - Vocals
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2014
Louder Than Hell: Wacken The Movie
Movie Self - Deep Purple
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2014
Play It Loud: The Story of Marshall
Movie Self
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2014
Deep Purple with Orchestra - Live in Verona
Movie vocals
- 2014
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2014
Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II
Movie Self
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2014
Celebrating Jon Lord
Movie Vocals
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2013
Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers Live
Movie Vocals
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2011
Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live at Montreux 2011
Movie Vocals
More credits
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2011
Deep Purple: Total Abandon
Movie Vocals
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2011
Deep Purple: Phoenix Rising
Movie Self
- 2011
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2011
Deep Purple & Orchestra - Live At Montreux 2011
Movie Lead Vocal
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2010
Deep Purple - Deepest Purple
Movie Self - Vocals
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2010
Heavy Metal Britannia
Movie Self
- 2009
- 2009
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2008
Deep Purple In Rock
Movie Self - Vocals
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2008
Gillan: The Glory Years
Movie Vocals
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2007
Seven Ages of Rock
TV show Self
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2007
Highway Star: Journey In Rock
Movie Self
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2006
Deep Purple: Live in China
Movie Self
-
2006
Deep Purple - They All Came Down To Montreux
Movie Himself
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2006
Deep Purple: Live at Montreux 1996
Movie vocals
- 2006
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2006
Gillan: Live Edinburgh 1980
Movie Vocals
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2005
Deep Purple: Live at Hard Rock Café, London
Movie Self
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2005
Deep Purple: Live in concert 72/73
Movie Lead Vocal
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2005
The Ultimate Collection: Classic Rock Productions
Movie Ian Gillan
- 2004
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2004
Deep Purple: Rock Review 1969-1972
Movie Self (Archive Material)
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2003
Let it Rock: Volume 1
Movie Self - Deep Purple
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2002
Classic Albums: Deep Purple - Machine Head
Movie Self