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Ian Gillan: The Autobiography of Deep Purple's Lead Singer
In 1970, Deep Purple burst on to the British rock scene with their hit "Black Night" and bestselling album "Deep Purple in Rock". This is the autobiography of their lead singer, Ian Gillan. Here he tells his life story, and that of the band he helped to make great. Stories of friction and violence, groupies and non-stop partying, drugs and alcohol, and how, finally, it all spiralled out of control to destroy the band. This book traces Gillan's career from his childhood in Hounslow and early days with bands such as Episode Six and The Javelins. It concentrates on the international fame he found with songs including "Smoke on the Water" and "Child in Time". His outrageous life continues with Black Sabbath and the Gillan band, with whom he toured worldwide, whilst also writing consistently bestselling albums and singles.
298 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 1993
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April 5, 2017
کتاب جالبی به قلم "ایان گیلان"، خواننده فوق العاده قوی گروه راک دیپ پرپل.
راستش تنها دلیلی که این کتاب رو خوندم این بود که تنها کتاب روی گوشیم بود و توی یه سفر کوتاه، تا نصفه ش رو از سر بیکار خوندم:دی
ایان گیلان یکی از بزرگترین وکالیست های تاریخ موسیقیه، و تقریبا میشه گفت به همه افتخارهای بزرگ رسیده و مهم تر از اون، با حاضر بودن توی گروه هایی مثل بلک سبث و دیپ پرپل، و همکاری با افراد بزرگی مثل مالماستین و جو ستریانی، نقش نسبتا پررنگی توی موسیقی متال داشته و یکی از مشاهیر این سبک شناخته میشه.
کتاب داستان زندگی ایان گیلان، چالش هاش و مهم تر از اون، تاریخچه نسبتا کاملی از دیپ پرپل بود که خوندن برای منِ طرفدارِ پروپاقرص این بند، لذت بخش بود. اما کم هم مشکل نداشت. برای مثال ایان گیلان، توی این کتاب تمام سعیش رو کرده بود که رفتنش از دیپ پرپل رو یک کار "اجباری" جلوه بده و چند جا خیلی ریلکس همه چیز رو گردن جان لرد و ریچی بلکمور مینداخت، در حالی که گفته هاش خیلی وقت ها ضدالنقیض میشد. مورد بعدش هم این بود که نثر چندان خوبی نداشت، مثل این بود که فقط میخواست این کتاب رو بنویسه، چندان اهمیتی نمیداده که چی مینویسه، چرا مینویسه، و بعضی از قسمت ها به شدت غیرقابل فهم میشد، به ویژه قسمتی که ایان گیلان دلیل قطع همکاریش با بلک سبث رو میگفت، یکجوری بود که انگار خودش هم نمیدونه چرا دیگه کار نکردن با هم:دی و این موارد توی کتاب کمی اعصاب خردکن بود
در کل به نظرم ارزش خوندن داشت، چون باعث شد یکسری از آهنگ های دیپ پرپل رو بهتر از قبل بفهمم و درک کنم که مفهوم اون اشعار چی بوده.
راستش تنها دلیلی که این کتاب رو خوندم این بود که تنها کتاب روی گوشیم بود و توی یه سفر کوتاه، تا نصفه ش رو از سر بیکار خوندم:دی
ایان گیلان یکی از بزرگترین وکالیست های تاریخ موسیقیه، و تقریبا میشه گفت به همه افتخارهای بزرگ رسیده و مهم تر از اون، با حاضر بودن توی گروه هایی مثل بلک سبث و دیپ پرپل، و همکاری با افراد بزرگی مثل مالماستین و جو ستریانی، نقش نسبتا پررنگی توی موسیقی متال داشته و یکی از مشاهیر این سبک شناخته میشه.
کتاب داستان زندگی ایان گیلان، چالش هاش و مهم تر از اون، تاریخچه نسبتا کاملی از دیپ پرپل بود که خوندن برای منِ طرفدارِ پروپاقرص این بند، لذت بخش بود. اما کم هم مشکل نداشت. برای مثال ایان گیلان، توی این کتاب تمام سعیش رو کرده بود که رفتنش از دیپ پرپل رو یک کار "اجباری" جلوه بده و چند جا خیلی ریلکس همه چیز رو گردن جان لرد و ریچی بلکمور مینداخت، در حالی که گفته هاش خیلی وقت ها ضدالنقیض میشد. مورد بعدش هم این بود که نثر چندان خوبی نداشت، مثل این بود که فقط میخواست این کتاب رو بنویسه، چندان اهمیتی نمیداده که چی مینویسه، چرا مینویسه، و بعضی از قسمت ها به شدت غیرقابل فهم میشد، به ویژه قسمتی که ایان گیلان دلیل قطع همکاریش با بلک سبث رو میگفت، یکجوری بود که انگار خودش هم نمیدونه چرا دیگه کار نکردن با هم:دی و این موارد توی کتاب کمی اعصاب خردکن بود
در کل به نظرم ارزش خوندن داشت، چون باعث شد یکسری از آهنگ های دیپ پرپل رو بهتر از قبل بفهمم و درک کنم که مفهوم اون اشعار چی بوده.
August 12, 2020
Heavy Metal fans usually trace the roots of the genre to Black Sabbath, and, it's true that their powerful heavy sound, coupled with gloom and dark atmosphere, would be a major foundation stone to the music. Yet, personally, I would trace it back to Deep Purple. I remember when I first listened to their album 'In Rock': the shattering violence and fast-paced tempo, the crazy guitar solos, the frantic bass, intoxicating drumming, surprising keyboards, and, above all, Ian Gillan's voice. No, wait! Let me rephrase this: FUCKING IAN GILLAN'S FUCKING VOICE!! The guy has been a major influence on many singers, not least Bruce Dickinson (yes, one of my favourite singer ever from my favourite band ever: Iron Maiden). But damn! Who never had the chills listening to him? Try and listen to 'Child in Time' without putting it on repeat... In fact, it's simple, Deep Purple's original line-up is among those rare bands with whom I can't listen to even one song, just one, without going through their whole discography! It's that type of sound and passion. Well, good news, because I finally put my hands on Ian Gillan's autobiography...
Prior to read this, I had no idea of Gillan's personality. I had seen him doing various interviews. He seems quite laid back, although I was also aware of the love-hate, kind of toxic relationship, he had with Ritchie Blackmore. So, how has that read gone down then?
For starter, it was nice to follow his career. Before Deep Purple, he had solid formative years with Episode Six (a band I confess not knowing) and, already big pal with Roger Glover, we see him emerging as a strong original persona (or so I assume, since Episode Six were touring the Middle East circuit -Lebanon- instead of England, apparently a market clearly not up for them!). The story then quickly goes straight down to business, when it all falls into place when him and Glover would combine their talent with Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Paice, and Jon Lord to form THE band. It's a nice story, but then there's not much he says which won't already be known by the fans -how 'In Rock' came to be, the disagreement in tastes regarding 'Fireball', the incertitude about 'Concerto for Group and Orchestra', his sad and bitter departure following 'Made In Japan'... In fact, 'bitter' may be a key word here, or at least explain why it's such a light read.
Indeed, the relationship between him and his guitarist was everything but great. He assures us, though, that he holds no grudge, and, indeed, he is never shy lavishing praise upon Ritchie Blackmore's skills with a fret (although, getting to understand his personality is another matter altogether! The said guitarist's behaviour as described here doesn't favour him...). The thing is, such approach might be a noble endeavour after so many years, but it doesn't offer much insights from one of the key members of a band that had, basically, screwed itself up over egos. In fact, he's still hurt:
I've never been allowed to forget the time I said, 'I'd rather slit my throat than sing with that band again'. But, then, I've also been asked many times, about my feelings towards their singers since my departure... and, about that, my answer has always been, 'how would you feel if you found your lover with somebody else?'
What about ego, by the way? Well, the guy clearly has his own idiosyncrasies. On the one hand, he truly is a music lover and it was humbling to see him hopping from bands to bands with no care for their level of success or popularity, he who would play stadiums or lesser venues depending on where his career would take him. Ian Gillan is a rare breed, in that he cares about singing only for projects he is genuine about (he refused to sing in Rainbow...). You would think, then, that he doesn't really care about fame and money? Well, about money, think again... On the other hand indeed, I have never seen someone so concerned about money. I mean, alright, from a Londonian working class background and musician whose career was quite a seesaw, he can be excused to seek financial comfort. But Ian Gillan takes it all to another level! In fact, he has no qualm quoting his salaries, talk candidly about his tax avoidance, exposes his business failures, and, there are actually more pages in here about his accountant than, say, major figures of the music industry he luckily worked with (e.g. Martin Birch, who sadly passed away two days before I wrote this review...). It makes for a bizarre sense of priority, but does it make him unlikable?
I was surprised by how reserved he seems to be. The excesses backstage are there, but not detailed crassly. He has been, in fact, married to the same woman for quite a long time (and he acknowledges her many time over!) which says a lot about his personal values. Groupies and drugs were not his priority, or so it seems. He even doesn't delve too much into his alcoholism, apart for recognising he had issues with heavy drinking. As for other aspects of his career, it's as light as his take on the Deep Purple saga: from a few liners on his role in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (I had no idea!) to the ridiculous tour with Black Sabbath (although Born Again is a very good album, I think...).
So there we are! There's not much to learn in terms of hindsight, but here's nevertheless a nice chit chat with a rock n' roll idol. He might seems very composed, if not detached at times, but, he still has the cheeky sense of humour of a prankster, and, so, 'listening' to him is quite entertaining even if light. Maybe he has come full circle?
Prior to read this, I had no idea of Gillan's personality. I had seen him doing various interviews. He seems quite laid back, although I was also aware of the love-hate, kind of toxic relationship, he had with Ritchie Blackmore. So, how has that read gone down then?
For starter, it was nice to follow his career. Before Deep Purple, he had solid formative years with Episode Six (a band I confess not knowing) and, already big pal with Roger Glover, we see him emerging as a strong original persona (or so I assume, since Episode Six were touring the Middle East circuit -Lebanon- instead of England, apparently a market clearly not up for them!). The story then quickly goes straight down to business, when it all falls into place when him and Glover would combine their talent with Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Paice, and Jon Lord to form THE band. It's a nice story, but then there's not much he says which won't already be known by the fans -how 'In Rock' came to be, the disagreement in tastes regarding 'Fireball', the incertitude about 'Concerto for Group and Orchestra', his sad and bitter departure following 'Made In Japan'... In fact, 'bitter' may be a key word here, or at least explain why it's such a light read.
Indeed, the relationship between him and his guitarist was everything but great. He assures us, though, that he holds no grudge, and, indeed, he is never shy lavishing praise upon Ritchie Blackmore's skills with a fret (although, getting to understand his personality is another matter altogether! The said guitarist's behaviour as described here doesn't favour him...). The thing is, such approach might be a noble endeavour after so many years, but it doesn't offer much insights from one of the key members of a band that had, basically, screwed itself up over egos. In fact, he's still hurt:
I've never been allowed to forget the time I said, 'I'd rather slit my throat than sing with that band again'. But, then, I've also been asked many times, about my feelings towards their singers since my departure... and, about that, my answer has always been, 'how would you feel if you found your lover with somebody else?'
What about ego, by the way? Well, the guy clearly has his own idiosyncrasies. On the one hand, he truly is a music lover and it was humbling to see him hopping from bands to bands with no care for their level of success or popularity, he who would play stadiums or lesser venues depending on where his career would take him. Ian Gillan is a rare breed, in that he cares about singing only for projects he is genuine about (he refused to sing in Rainbow...). You would think, then, that he doesn't really care about fame and money? Well, about money, think again... On the other hand indeed, I have never seen someone so concerned about money. I mean, alright, from a Londonian working class background and musician whose career was quite a seesaw, he can be excused to seek financial comfort. But Ian Gillan takes it all to another level! In fact, he has no qualm quoting his salaries, talk candidly about his tax avoidance, exposes his business failures, and, there are actually more pages in here about his accountant than, say, major figures of the music industry he luckily worked with (e.g. Martin Birch, who sadly passed away two days before I wrote this review...). It makes for a bizarre sense of priority, but does it make him unlikable?
I was surprised by how reserved he seems to be. The excesses backstage are there, but not detailed crassly. He has been, in fact, married to the same woman for quite a long time (and he acknowledges her many time over!) which says a lot about his personal values. Groupies and drugs were not his priority, or so it seems. He even doesn't delve too much into his alcoholism, apart for recognising he had issues with heavy drinking. As for other aspects of his career, it's as light as his take on the Deep Purple saga: from a few liners on his role in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (I had no idea!) to the ridiculous tour with Black Sabbath (although Born Again is a very good album, I think...).
So there we are! There's not much to learn in terms of hindsight, but here's nevertheless a nice chit chat with a rock n' roll idol. He might seems very composed, if not detached at times, but, he still has the cheeky sense of humour of a prankster, and, so, 'listening' to him is quite entertaining even if light. Maybe he has come full circle?
February 28, 2025
Ian Gillan comes second in my personal top of rock vocalists (first being Freddie Mercury, of course). I liked the book, and Ian seems like a guy I'd enjoy having a beer with. Clueless at times, but surely with a big heart. Too bad that the story ends in 1998. But I guess nothing too drastic happened since then, right?
June 12, 2025
З мого досвіду, це найнудніша книжка про музику. Вона складається з історій невдач без розвитку, сварок, дурнуватих ситуацій і переліку назв альбомів і стадіонів — «сюжет» завершується ще 1990-ми роками. Тут нема глибини, розповідей про зміну музики і часу, бракує опису записів чи процесу створення пісень. Книга ні про що. (Але хто я така, щоб ставити Ієну Ґіллану менше 3/5)
Читацький висновок з книги: кумедно мати таких адвокатів, щоб навіть через десятки років твої колеги у власній автобіографії писали: «Та нічо, я не ображаюсь на Річі Блекмора, його просто в дитинстві ніхто не хвалив, насправді він нормальний»
Читацький висновок з книги: кумедно мати таких адвокатів, щоб навіть через десятки років твої колеги у власній автобіографії писали: «Та нічо, я не ображаюсь на Річі Блекмора, його просто в дитинстві ніхто не хвалив, насправді він нормальний»
June 17, 2023
I've recently started listening to Deep Purple (I know--where have I been?) so decided to read Ian Gillan's autobiography. I mainly wanted to find out why he and Ritchie Blackmore didn't get along, as well as just learn more about this singer. No spoilers, but my questions were answered. Ian writes like he is talking to you over a cup of tea, in a very easy-going, conversational way. It did get bogged down a bit when he started talking about his business ventures outside of music, and it could've used a bit of editing, but otherwise good information about him and the bands he's been in (if you don't know anything about him and his bands). I enjoyed it a lot.
December 21, 2016
Wonderful, I read the original quite a few years ago and that was brilliant. This is the updated version and to be totally honest I not sure what is new. A fantastic read if you are a purple fan, if you are not a Purple fan I would wonder why you are reading this anyway.
This gets all the juices going and dreading the next book he releases as I keep buying albums when I read his stuff. Long live Ian Gillan.
This gets all the juices going and dreading the next book he releases as I keep buying albums when I read his stuff. Long live Ian Gillan.
February 20, 2020
Good insight into the Deep Purple years and everything in between. Easy to read, and there are lists that can be skipped if you feel like it. What I did like was when he mentioned a particular gig, there was usually some footage on youtube so you could tie the two together. Worth also reading his Wikipedia page so you can see what came next. Book goes up to release of Purpendicular.
February 6, 2025
Видання українською від "Наш формат".
Доволі відверта розповідь учасника класичного складу Deep Purple (mk ІІ та ще кілька варіацій) - про дитячі винаходи, про про перші гурти, про Deep Purple і сольні проекти. Про скандали, п'янки і ...
Коротше, 300 сторінок Рок-н-ролу, якому Ієн і присвтятив книгу
Доволі відверта розповідь учасника класичного складу Deep Purple (mk ІІ та ще кілька варіацій) - про дитячі винаходи, про про перші гурти, про Deep Purple і сольні проекти. Про скандали, п'янки і ...
Коротше, 300 сторінок Рок-н-ролу, якому Ієн і присвтятив книгу
May 1, 2018
Ini seperti dengerin celotehan Ian Gillan saat dia mabuk. Kurang terstruktur. Loncat sana sini. Saat cerita proses rekaman, kurang spesifik. Saat cerita pengalaman tur, kurang heboh. Saat cerita pengalaman di Deep Purple, kurang dalam.
February 9, 2024
I'm not a Deep Purple fan, although I do respect what they've done for the music landscape. This autobiography was interesting, with a lot of good stories about Gillan's life. I was especially interested in his time with Black Sabbath, and what an awful person Blackmore really was.
May 22, 2017
Intressant även om jag tycker att han kunde ha lagt även turnéuppräkningarna i slutet av boken.
July 9, 2018
i loved this i love deep purple i am at an age where i not know alot but the more i learn the more i love deep purple and i want to check into ian's solo music now
December 19, 2018
Well written read
A bit dated, but still an entertaining narrative by a great singer and a great band. A bit coy in spots, but still worth the price of admission.
A bit dated, but still an entertaining narrative by a great singer and a great band. A bit coy in spots, but still worth the price of admission.
July 30, 2021
Boring, WAY too many exclamation points.
October 6, 2023
Amazing vocalist from one of my favourite bands. Does come across as a bit of a dick at times though!
September 11, 2024
There's great detail on the touring life and making records.
November 10, 2025
При всій повазі до дядька, який співав про отой "дим над водою в Монтре", крокував наче по сходам - по нотам у пісні "Child In Time" - це така собі книжка-автобіографія.
Безперечно, найцікавіший тут період до "вогню, слави та мідних труб". Уся біографія написана у бруднувато-простецькому стилі з натяком на гумор. Але чи-то гумор надто англійський, чи-то пан Гіллан не вміє(хоча дуже старається) бути запанібрата - не знаю. Щось жодного разу не було смішно. "Буфет, шахи та бібліотекарші" присутні... Що поробиш - "дух рок-н-роллу"...
В одному з інтерв'ю Гіллан колись самоіронізував, що в нього простецькі тексти й прості рими штибу "палка-галка". А тут він "замахнувся" на буття поетом і втулив купу власних віршів зі своїх сольних альбомів та ще й детально розписав тури свого "сольного гурту" й таке подібне.
Тобто, людина-протиріччя: самоіронія межує з марнославством, дружні описи та реверанси до друзів та колег теж межують з дрібкою марнославства...
Безперечно, найцікавіший тут період до "вогню, слави та мідних труб". Уся біографія написана у бруднувато-простецькому стилі з натяком на гумор. Але чи-то гумор надто англійський, чи-то пан Гіллан не вміє(хоча дуже старається) бути запанібрата - не знаю. Щось жодного разу не було смішно. "Буфет, шахи та бібліотекарші" присутні... Що поробиш - "дух рок-н-роллу"...
В одному з інтерв'ю Гіллан колись самоіронізував, що в нього простецькі тексти й прості рими штибу "палка-галка". А тут він "замахнувся" на буття поетом і втулив купу власних віршів зі своїх сольних альбомів та ще й детально розписав тури свого "сольного гурту" й таке подібне.
Тобто, людина-протиріччя: самоіронія межує з марнославством, дружні описи та реверанси до друзів та колег теж межують з дрібкою марнославства...
November 5, 2013
Ziemlich geschwätziges Beichte eines Troublemakers, der zwar Rockgeschichte geschrieben hat, aber kaum etwa Relevantes zu erzählen weiß, außer Pleiten, Pech und Pannen.
So manche interessante Pointe über das Innenleben der Band fiel wohl der Angst vor Ritchie Blackmores Anwälten zum Opfer und so bleibt am Ende nicht mehr als viel nur zu gerne zugegebener Suff und ein paar dumme Streiche, die man auch als Vandalismus bezeichnen könnte.
Zwei Sterne sind zwar ein wenig ungnädig, auf einer Hunderter-Skala hätte diese Autobiographie vielleicht 53 Punkte bekommen, aber im Verlauf des Jahres habe ich zahlreiche schlüssigere Bücher mit drei Sternen bewertet.
So manche interessante Pointe über das Innenleben der Band fiel wohl der Angst vor Ritchie Blackmores Anwälten zum Opfer und so bleibt am Ende nicht mehr als viel nur zu gerne zugegebener Suff und ein paar dumme Streiche, die man auch als Vandalismus bezeichnen könnte.
Zwei Sterne sind zwar ein wenig ungnädig, auf einer Hunderter-Skala hätte diese Autobiographie vielleicht 53 Punkte bekommen, aber im Verlauf des Jahres habe ich zahlreiche schlüssigere Bücher mit drei Sternen bewertet.
July 23, 2024
Excellent look behind not only Deep Purple and all that it has been over the years but all of Ian's music over the years. Very well put together.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews