UPDATE: Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan says he’s recovering after “successful” surgery that followed a recent medical emergency that prompted the band to postpone European tour dates.
“I had a procedure yesterday which was successful,” Gillan writes on Facebook today. “I now have to rest, in order to make a complete recovery and ensure that I’m as fit as can be before getting back to work, thanks everybody for your patience and understanding. I really do appreciate it and apologize for all the inconvenience.”
The exact nature of the medical emergency and the subsequent surgery has not been disclosed.
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Following the medical emergency last week, the band, initially, canceled two weekend performances. The remainder of the European tour that had been scheduled to run through November has now been postponed. As of now, a tour of Latin America beginning in December remains on schedule.
PREVIOUS, Oct. 31: Ian Gillan, lead singer for classic rockers Deep Purple, has been hospitalized following a medical emergency that prompted the band to cancel two shows this weekend.
The exact nature of the 81-year-old singer’s medical situation was not disclosed.
In a Facebook post on the band’s page today, the group wrote, “With great disappointment, Deep Purple must announce that they are unable to perform as scheduled tonight at the QI Arena (Leipzig) and tomorrow evening at the Sporthalle (Hamburg). This comes as a result of a medical emergency involving Ian Gillan, which has resulted in his current hospitalisation.”
The post continues, “We understand that this announcement comes at short notice and share the disappointment of all our wonderful fans that we are unable to perform in Leipzig and Hamburg. Deep Purple and their team are focused on finding a suitable time to reschedule both these shows.”
All purchased tickets will be valid for the rescheduled tour dates.
In a November 2025 interview with the music magazine Uncut, Gillan disclosed a problem with his eyes. “It’s one of those things,” he said. “I’ve only got 30 per cent vision. That won’t get better.” Months later, though, he told the same publication that rumors about his pending retirement due to the vision issues were unfounded.
“Someone connected it with my failing eyesight, but I don’t see how that’s going to ever stop me singing,” he said in June. “I will retire or stop when I haven’t got the strength to do it, or when it becomes embarrassing. I won’t just keep going for the sake of it. So when people give me a slap and say, ‘Oi, off you go,’ that’ll be it. But we’re getting by so far, and I’m still standing when I walk off at the end of a show, just about.”
The band’s current “Splat!” world tour is scheduled to continue through the rest of the year, with a final concert in Poland set for June 2027.
Over the years Gillan has performed as a solo artist and with Black Sabbath, but he’s best known for his work with Deep Purple, most notably the 1972 classic “Smoke On The Water,” which he co-wrote with his bandmates.