Ian Gillan Reveals 10 Surprising Facts About Deep Purple Fans Need to Know
– Legendary Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan has opened up about some lesser-known secrets of the iconic band that have left fans shocked and amazed. In a recent interview with *Classic Rock Magazine*, Gillan shared ten surprising facts about Deep Purple’s history, legacy, and personal anecdotes that most fans may not know.
1. **The Band’s Name Was Almost Different**
One of the most shocking revelations is that Deep Purple almost didn’t have their iconic name. According to Gillan, the band briefly considered other names, including “Concrete God” and “The Maze.” It was only after a suggestion from their bassist, Roger Glover, that they settled on “Deep Purple,” inspired by Gillan’s grandmother’s favorite song.
2. **Gillan Didn’t Sing on Their Most Iconic Song at First**
“Smoke on the Water” is arguably Deep Purple’s most famous track, but Gillan didn’t initially sing on the recording. The iconic riff was laid down first, and Gillan only added the vocals later, once the song had already been cemented in the band’s history. The delay came because the band was still figuring out the right lyrical direction.
3. **The Band Was Once Offered $1 Million to Break Up**
In the early ‘70s, Deep Purple was at the height of its fame, and a mysterious offer surfaced: the band was reportedly offered $1 million to break up. The idea was to go out at their peak and leave fans wanting more. Deep Purple turned down the offer, with Gillan noting, “No one tells us when to stop.”
4. **Deep Purple’s ‘Perfect Strangers’ Was Inspired by Classic Spy Films**
The band’s 1984 album *Perfect Strangers* was inspired by a variety of influences, including classic spy films. Gillan admitted that he and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore were fans of James Bond and old-school espionage thrillers, which helped shape the mysterious and dramatic feel of the album.
5. **Ian Gillan Was Once in a Movie**
Before his full-time focus on music, Gillan had a small acting role. He appeared in the 1974 film *The Gladiators* in a cameo role. It was a brief experience, but it gave Gillan a glimpse into the world of film.
6. **A Band of Strangers for a While**
Deep Purple’s classic lineup – Gillan, Blackmore, Lord, Paice, and Glover – wasn’t the first lineup of the band. The original Deep Purple, formed in 1968, went through several lineup changes before the “Mark II” configuration, which would go on to define the band’s most successful period.
7. **“Child in Time” Was a Mistake**
The hauntingly beautiful song “Child in Time” was almost never made. Gillan revealed that during the recording of their 1970 album *Deep Purple in Rock*, the band had made a recording mistake while rehearsing the song. Rather than scrap it, they kept the raw take, which became one of the band’s most iconic and enduring tracks.
8. **Deep Purple’s Original Influences Were Jazz and Classical Music**
While Deep Purple is often credited with pioneering hard rock and heavy metal, Gillan revealed that many of the band’s early influences were rooted in jazz and classical music. The band’s complex time signatures and symphonic touches were drawn from classical composers, and even some of their improvisational jams had a jazz feel.
9. **Deep Purple Almost Played Woodstock**
In a turn of events that would have altered the course of history, Deep Purple was almost part of the legendary 1969 Woodstock Festival. However, a scheduling conflict meant they missed out on one of the most significant moments in rock history. In hindsight, Gillan laughed, “We would have been a very different band if we had played there.”
10. **The Band’s Greatest Hits Were Never Planned**
Deep Purple’s greatest hits, including songs like “Smoke on the Water,” were never meant to be radio staples. “We never wrote to be radio hits,” said Gillan. “We just wrote what we felt was right, and the songs found their own place in the world.” The band’s natural evolution led to some of the most enduring and beloved songs in rock history.
Ian Gillan’s reflections offer fans a unique glimpse into the band’s past and reveal some fascinating truths about their career. Deep Purple remains one of the most influential bands in rock, and Gillan’s candidness about the journey the band has taken only deepens their mystique.
For fans of Deep Purple, these insights only add to the legend. As Gillan said himself, “We’ve always been a band of surprises.”
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