Deep Purple’s legendary frontman Ian Gillan has shared candid insights into his ongoing vision issues, revealing that the band’s retirement could be closer than fans might expect.
Speaking with Uncut magazine, the 80-year-old singer admitted that he currently has only 30 percent vision. “It’s one of those things,” he said. “I’ve only got 30 percent vision. 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. But it’s achingly tiresome. It takes a long time to do the work.”
Despite these challenges, Gillan maintains his trademark humor. “It’s hilarious this growing old thing. It’s a laugh a minute,” he explained. “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.”
The singer also addressed the reality of stepping back from performing. “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.”
Even with these personal hurdles, Deep Purple remains active on the live circuit, with a series of European and Japanese dates already lined up for 2026. For fans, it’s a reminder that every performance from the band carries added significance as the members navigate the realities of age and health.
DEEP PURPLE 2025–2026 Tour Dates:
- Nov 20, 2025 – Dubai, UAE – Coca Cola Arena
- Nov 23, 2025 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Mega Star Arena KL
- Apr 11, 2026 – Tokyo, Japan – Nippon Budokan
- Apr 13, 2026 – Osaka, Japan – Grand Cube
- Apr 15, 2026 – Nagoya, Japan – Mizuokadani Steel Machinery Public Hall
- Jun 14, 2026 – Kristiansand, Norway – Dirty Old Town Live – Odderoya Amfi
- Jun 18, 2026 – Clisson, France – Hellfest (SOLD OUT)
- Jun 20, 2026 – Meppen, Germany – Emsland Open Air
- Jun 24, 2026 – Mönchengladbach, Germany – SparkassenPark
- Jun 27, 2026 – Coburg, Germany – HUK Coburg Open Air, Schlossplatz
- Jun 28, 2026 – Ulm, Germany – Klosterhof Wiblingen
- Jul 4, 2026 – Gredos, Ávila, Spain – Músicos en la Naturaleza
- Jul 5, 2026 – Pamplona, Spain – Navarra Arena
- Jul 9, 2026 – Málaga, Spain – Starlite
- Jul 10, 2026 – Cádiz, Spain – Tío Pepe
- Jul 16, 2026 – Pisa, Italy – Pisa Summer Knights, Piazza Dei Cavalieri
- Jul 17, 2026 – Este, Italy – Este Music Festival, Castello Carrarese
- Jul 19, 2026 – München, Germany – Tollwood Festival
