Is the end of an era approaching for Deep Purple fans? Ian Gillan, the legendary frontman, hints at retirement due to a health issue that’s harder to ignore than a power chord in a quiet room. At 80, Gillan is still rocking stages with the band he joined in 1969, but his recent revelation about his vision loss has fans holding their breath. In a candid interview with Uncut, Gillan shared that he’s down to just 30 percent vision, a condition that’s not improving. ‘It makes life mysterious,’ he admitted, though he’s found ways to adapt, like using peripheral vision to work on his laptop. But here’s where it gets emotional—Gillan confessed, ‘I think if I lose my energy, I’m going to stop. I don’t want to be an embarrassment to anyone.’
Gillan’s journey with Deep Purple has been anything but linear. After joining in 1969, he left in 1973, only to return from 1984 to 1989, and then again in 1992 for his current stint. His humor about aging is as sharp as his vocals: ‘It’s hilarious this growing old thing. It’s a laugh a minute—well, sometimes yes and sometimes no.’ But beneath the jokes, there’s a sobering reality. As he puts it, ‘Nothing’s changed really apart from I can’t pole vault anymore. Other than that, things move a little more slowly.’
And this is the part most people miss: Gillan’s potential retirement comes just days after David Coverdale, his successor in Deep Purple and longtime Whitesnake frontman, announced his own exit from the stage. Coverdale’s heartfelt farewell—’It really is time for me to just enjoy my retirement’—leaves fans wondering if the rock world is losing two giants in quick succession.
Despite these concerns, Deep Purple has confirmed a European tour for next summer, proving that the band isn’t ready to fade into the background just yet. But the question lingers: How much longer can Gillan keep up? His honesty about his limitations is both refreshing and poignant. ‘It creeps up on you; you don’t really notice,’ he said, capturing the bittersweet nature of aging in the spotlight.
Controversial question for you: Is it time for rock legends like Gillan to step aside and let newer talent take the reins, or is there something irreplaceable about the originals? Let’s debate this in the comments—and while you’re at it, check out our gallery of 30 bands with just one original member left. It’s a reminder that time waits for no one, not even rock gods.