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Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan has revealed he is losing his eyesight and has said retirement is “not far off”.
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The legendary singer, 80, last played a full run of shows with the band in November 2024, although they have one-off shows in Tbilisi, Georgia tonight (November 16) and Dubai and Kuala Lumpur in the next week.
They have also announced a European tour for June and July 2026, but as Gillan revealed in a new interview with Uncut, he is not sure how much longer he will be able to continue his work with the band.
“It’s one of those things. I’ve only got 30 per cent vision,” he said (via Music News). “That won’t get better. It makes life mysterious. The hardest thing is working on my laptop. I can’t see anything on the screen unless I use my peripheral vision – I pick up a line by looking at it sideways. But you find a way. You adapt.”
He continued: “It’s hilarious this growing old thing. It’s a laugh a minute. Well, sometimes yes and sometimes no. I walk down the road and hear something drop off – clang, there’s something else gone. Nothing’s changed really apart from I can’t pole vault any more. Other than that, things move a little more slowly. But nothing’s changed.”
When asked to speculate on what the future holds, he added: “I think if I lose my energy I’m going to stop. I don’t want to be an embarrassment to anyone. We’re not far off that. It creeps up on you – you don’t really notice.”
Deep Purple’s 23rd studio album ‘=1’ was released last year, including the singles ‘Lazy Sod’, ‘Portable Door’ and ‘Pictures Of You’.
Gillan’s contemplation about the final stage of his career comes just days after David Coverdale – who replaced Gillan as Deep Purple lead singer from 1973 to 1976 – formally announced his retirement. The Whitesnake frontman thanked “everyone who’s assisted and supported me on this incredible journey”, but said: “It really is time for me to just enjoy my retirement.”
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