Ian Gillan is resting after undergoing a successful procedure, the Deep Purple singer said, as the band's postponed European tour remains on hold. In a statement, Gillan wrote: "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."
The update follows a difficult stretch for Deep Purple, who called off the remainder of their U.K. and European tour earlier this month as Gillan recovered. Before that, the band had postponed shows in Leipzig and Hamburg when Gillan was hospitalized. Those dates are part of a wider run that has now been suspended while the singer recuperates.
Gillan, 80, has fronted Deep Purple since 1969, with a break between 1973 and 1984. His voice is one of the defining instruments of hard rock, from the studio version of "Highway Star" to the breakneck Made in Japan performances. At this stage of a career that has spanned more than five decades, the priority is recovery, and the band's schedule will wait.
The news comes as Deep Purple's touring plans remain uncertain. The group had been scheduled to play across Europe this fall, but the postponements have left fans waiting for new dates. Gillan's statement suggests he is focused on returning to full fitness before any resumption.
For now, the immediate concern is Gillan's health. The singer's message was brief and clear: rest, recover, and return when ready. Deep Purple's tour will resume when he is able, and the band's legacy will continue to be defined by the music he has made with them.
More on Ian Gillan at ROMBO Magazine.
