Mr Universe is one hell of an album. Loved that a lot of their songs had an element of humour. There's no laughing in Heaven! Brilliant albums/brilliant live. One of my favs.
Loved the late 70s, we'd get to see Gillan, Whitesnake and Rainbow on a regular basis and then have all those superb albums that were released. Gillan lost something for me when Bernie Torme left but I still have those memories. Mr Universe remains one of my top ten albums ever. Love it.
Seeing your Gillan retrospective was a nice surprise. Always loved the Gillan band with Torme,Towns,etc. from the beginning. Such an underrated band.I enjoy Mr. Universe, Glory Road and Future Shock as much as anything that Rainbow ever did and Blackmore is my favorite guitarist. The Janick Gers albums I enjoy also,but to a lesser degree. Bought Glory Road when it came out.US version had Running White Face City Boy as opening track.They tried to push that as a single in the US.I heard it a few times on the big FM rock radio station here in Chicago, but it didn't last.They played at a 21 and over rock club in Chicago and I was 19.I was so frustrated and it turned out that was their only US tour.Thanks for delving into a lot of great music and hopefully people will check out stuff like Gillan,etc... that they haven't heard.
Saw Gillan at Brunel University in 1980 I think it was. Only about 100 people there. Fantastic. But for me their performance at Reading festval in 79 tops it all. Transmitted on Radio 1 by Tommy Vance. Still enjoy to this day. So much enegy...
Yes that's right Rob, I remember hearing that on it's first broadcast on' The Friday Rock Show'. Tracks were subsequently issued by Virgin Records under licence from the BBC as a double pack EP from the Reading Festival set.
Just watched this a couple of days ago. I'd got Gillan - The Japanese Album, years ago without even realising it was the first proper Gillan album. Thanks for the history, DP been my fav band for about 30+ years now, and always thought Gillan was one of the best rock singers period. And not just because of his amazing screams in his early career, but also for the depth of emotion in tracks like "When a blind man cries" and "Sometimes I feel like screaming" etc.
From Southern California, while on vacation in England, bought the Gillan compilation “What I Did On My Vacation.” That was the first I had heard of anything he did post-Purple. Back home I started finding the albums in the Import bins of local record stores, and loved all of it. Bought the CD releases, I believe on MetalBlade, with bonus tracks... and really enjoy The Who Cares release with Iommi... great show, Pete 🤘
Gillan is so underrated nowadays. Everybody remembers Ozzy's and Dio's solo careers, but for me Gillan is as good if not better, at least Mr Universe is better than any Ozzy or Dio album in my opinion.
Gillan's blend of vocal power and British humour gave him a very recognizable musical identity. He's one of the greatest hard rock vocalists ever ( not metal, because he hated the leather outfits !) with a very unique style of his own.
Not sure if you're a Budgie fan, but if you are, it would be cool if you did a history of them. Criminally underrated band. Especially their output from 1971-1978.
Absolutely endorse this! I saw Budgie open for Gillan 1980ish! They came on with Panzer Division and blew the roof of the Bristol Colston Hall; promoting their Nightlife album with the epic Turn To Stone on it (which they also killed live!) One of the great bands imo!
Great video....first gig I ever went to was Gillan on the 1979 Mr Universe tour. Support acts were Randy California (Spirit) and Samson ( Bruce Dickinson). Cost me £1.90 for the ticket. Still one of the best gigs I ever went to. Mr Universe is the best album they ever did. Keep up .the great work 🤟🤟
Great video, a couple of years ago I found the "Japanese" album on vinyl for £9 as a local record shop. Suffice to say I quietly handed my money over and left feeling like a winner.
So great to hear someone talk about Gillan. I still have my original vinyl copy of Mr Universe. Cherkazoo is awesome, also his later solo album “One eye to Morocco” is a fine album. My favorite IGB album is Scarabus, I still have an original vinyl of that one also. I didn’t love the Gillans Inn redo but I think “Bluesy blue sea” was improved upon here.
Good review. The issue of money was a very contentious one with the Gillan band. Whatever their profile in other territories, in the UK they were every bit as successful as Rainbow and Whitesnake for a short time. Glory Road and Future Shock were both top 5 albums, and the band logged numerous hit singles and TV appearances. They headlined Reading Festival a couple of times as well, at that time the premier Rock festival in the UK. It was the radio broadcasts of those live shows that really got me into the band.
True, and probably the main reason McCoy or Torme don't speak to Gillan. There's some video interviews knocking about that dwell on this very issue, it's a sad watch really, Torme especially still seems very cut up about it - how they basically made no money at all, but Gillan did quite well out of it.
Thanks for the history. I was a Purple fan, but it was as if Gillan [solo] was blacklisted in the US after he left the band. I don't remember seeing anything or hearing anything about his solo stuff. Didn't hear much about Purple post Gillan either, 'til he came back.
I never knew about this chapter of Ian's career. I've been delving into the family tree of Deep Purple and this series has filled in several gaps for me,thanks.
This has been about the most helpful SoT video for me -- didn't know any of this music, just knew it existed. I also love the history of Uriah Heep -- another band that as always on the periphery of my awareness. I saw them at Madison Square Garden as a kid.... opening for Jethro Tull (I think? -- could've been ELP?) but didn't follow. Now checking out all this stuff. But back to Gillan.... at his peak, the most astounding rock vocalist ever, IMO. Glad to learn a bit about this series of records.
I remember seeing a couple of his solo albums at the record stores back in the 80s but I never heard any of it on the radio so I didn’t buy any of them. I do own the Gillan-Glover album and I believe that was released in ‘88. Thanks and once again I always learn a lot with these videos.
I was a huge Deep Purple fan and when Ian Gillan left the band I thought he was being an egotistical lead singer. Then, when I heard the Ian Gillan Band’s album I immediately compared it to Deep Purple and what he did with them and thought it was nowhere near as good. So you are right, I really didn’t give Gillan that much of a chance because I was mad at him for leaving one of my favorite bands. I wanted to hear and hopefully see him with the mighty DP. I forgave him when Deep Purple reformed in the 80’s, too late for the Gillan Band. Of course, years later I found out that the real problem was Ritchie Blackmore and his arrogance. I ended up buying Gillan CD’s as cut outs and discovered what I had missed out on. Can’t wait for your History of Blue Oyster Cult as I’ve been a fan ever since I bought their 1st album on 8 track when it was released.
@Chris Manzi Mostly true, but you are a bit too generous to Richie. How many gifted musicians did he either fire or leave due to his mercurial attitude and chronic dissatisfaction with much of anything he ever did? Evans, Simper, Gillan, Glover, Hughes, Coverdale, Lord, Paice, Gruber, Soule, Bain, Carey, Daisley, Stone, Dio, Bonnet, etc. Genius? Perhaps. Narcissistic genius would be more accurate. I love his playing, but I can't think of another musician who blew through so many musicians as the leader of two bands. In all fairness, the Blackmore's Knight lineup was relatively consistent, and Gillan handled his departure from his solo band for Sabbath quite unprofessionally, but Blackmore suddenly (and unprofessionally) quit Purple in 94 in the middle of The Battle Rages On tour, and seldom committed to anything long term, save for 3 1/2 years with the first MK 2 era and many years with Blackmore's Knight (with his wife).
Thanks for the retrospective Pete. IMO Gillan is one of the most overlooked bands from the NWOBHM. I myself was a Deep Purple mega fan and for years and had no idea the band even existed until the internet age. There’s a box set out on vinyl and cd that’ includes all of the studio albums, for Gillan fans only, and a pretty cool booklet with a little band history. Keep the reviews coming brother.
I agree completely, this was a great band which got little to no coverage. To this day I have not read a rock or metal magazine that mentioned this band once. What the hell?
Accidentally On Purpose was 1988 - just before Gillan was sacked from Deep Purple. It's stood the test of time. The Gillan band produced some darn good music. Secret of the Dance, She Tears Me Down, Dead of Night, Fighting Man, Unchain Your Brain, No Easy Way, If You Believe Me etc.
Great video. Here in Canada it was the same: almost no one talked about Gillan albums, especially the later ones. I found a few ofthem in the weirdest/coolest place: my public library had a Child in Time, Live Tokyo October 1978, and the Gillan Tapes Vol 1 and Vol 2 on vinyl. Checked them out, recorded them on to cassettes. Those cassettes were my only copies until the recent remasters and re releases.
Hey Pete, really good video)) Thanks for doing this. I actually remember (and I bought the albums) seeing all the releases of the IGB in the import section. I did not see GIllan in the shops. A friend of mine somehow got a hold of, I think it was Future Shock. We played that and really enjoyed it. That was our awareness this band existed. I seem to remember that Episode Six did a song called Mr. Universe, so I don't know if the Gillan version is a cover or not. Anyway, I also wanted to mention that you should probably be given an honorary doctorate in music)) You knowledge of rock, fusion, etc is really extensive ))) Your videos are informative and watching them, the time just goes whooshing past! Keep up the great work.
@@smithymcsmith8768 One or two lines may be similar but as I said, completely different songs by different bands. Not really sure what point you're trying to make.
Thanks Pete! Love Gillan and love the t-shirt! Since you mentioned CTTB, any chance at a Tommy Bolin retrospective? FYI, I grew up in Edison, and had the first IGB LP, Live at the Budokan, Mr. Universe, and Glory Road, probably picked up at Cheap Thrills in New Brunswick or at the old US 1 flea market. You’re right they didn’t get a lot of press here, although their 1980 tour was probably advertised in a blurb in the old Aquarian alternative newspaper. I was in 10th grade in ‘80, and me and a buddy scored a pair of tix for Gillian’s show at the Ritz in NYC. Unfortunately, my buddy’s parents got the kibosh put on us and we weren’t able to catch the show, to my everlasting regret. Was later able to catch IG with Sabbath and of course during the ‘85 DP Mk.II reunion tour and beyond. Really enjoying your vids!
Hi Pete, at last!! I asked for this yonks ago, glad you hadn't forgotten! Thanks. Another suggestion, Ronnie James Dio. That could be a long video as he started in the late 1950's singing doo wop tunes, which are actually pretty good.
I was lucky enough to see Gillan several times in the early 80s. Really good band, especially with Bernie Torme on guitar who has a completely unique style and is extremely underrated. John McCoy also had a unique bass sound and live had a really thudding bass the like of which I've never heard before or since.
Double Trouble is my favorite. The Canadian release of Future Shock was different, it had Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.), Trouble & One For The Road on it.
'Gillan' were the first professional band I ever saw, when I was 18, blew me away to see my hero right in front of me! I don't think Ian appeared for a couple of songs with Rainbow; Ritchie joined 'Gillan' on stage for a couple of tunes at the Marquee in London. It was a shame Bernie Torme was in the band throughout, a great foil for Ian. 'Fighting Man' is stunning - Colin Towns orignally wrote that for Ian to showcase his voice when they were in the Ian Gillan Band, but Nauseef, Fenwick and Gustafson didn't take it seriously which annoyed Ian and he said he basically left his own band. 'Mr. Universe', 'Glory Road' and 'Future Shock' are the pinnacle of that band, they had some singles success and had quite a following in the UK and Europe, their last show being Wembley Arena. I think 'Future Shock' is quite a bit better than 'Double Trouble', Janick didn't quite do it for me, tried to copy Ritchie it bit too much. He didn't have an operation on his nodes, just took time off and then joined Sabbath for a year before the Purple reformation. Ian later said that if 'Gillan' had continued then McCoy would not have been part of it, think he'd had enough of John. 'Accidentally On Purpose' is great fun to hear them do something completely different - try and pick up the remastered version, they came out the same time as the others releases you've got. It's upsetting to hear the deterioration in Ian's voice - he basically wore it out and didn't look after himself as far as his health is concerned. Glenn Hughes didn't do much after Purple until the 90s (apart from a couple of albums and a number of guest appearances), so he didn't wear it out, and even to this day he'll always have a day off between gigs, never two in a row. Whereas Ian would frequently do five in a row and seemed to tour all the time, plus an album every year or so he's not the force he once was, but he has his moments when he shines and he is still a creative force within Deep Purple. Thank you for this video, 'Gillan' is close to my heart and I have many fond memories of following this band. Take care, Ronnie.
I believe Accidentally on Purpose was released in 1988, Ian and Roger needed a creative release after the occasionally tumultuous House of Blue Light sessions with Purple. I believe Gillans Inn was 2006.
Magic is my favorite. Demon driver is awesome. Glory road is great in it's rawness, but to me Magic is the winner, super tight, well produced, exellent vocal performance.
Great Vid as Always Pete.. John McCoy Did a good Album Called "Think Hard Again" Which Featured Colin Towns from Gillan as Well as Paul Samson (Samson band). Ron (Rebel) Matthews Who was the original drummer of Iron Maiden and Someone named T Bone on Vocals..it contains a great version of Fleetwood Mac's Oh Well. .Well Worth checking Out Mate
I haven't heard all these albums but is awared of most except a few of the rare live-things. For my money "Ian Gillan Band - Clear Air Turbluence" is a winner. The other two albums are a bit of hit and miss. Nothing I'd really search for when looking in my record collection. The "CAT" is very enjoyable though.. A bit progressive rock / jazz-ish and very solid. The other record I will mention is "Toolbox" from early 90's.. After "The House of Blue Light" and before "The Battle Rages On..." and in my world definitely better than both (don't mind any of them..).
As an observation - Gillan didn't have a US record deal in the '80's. Imports were hard to come by, so it isn't surprising that they didn't do well over here - Whitesnake had the same problem.
Gillan was at least pretty popular here in Europe. Still pretty underrated. Here specifically in Finland, I've even seen the Glory Road album a couple times in thrift stores.
The only way I knew of the Gillan band was a comp I bought in 80s called Live & Heavy. It had "Unchain Your Brain" from them and it also contained my favorite version of "White Line Fever" by Motorhead (live, dirty and sloppy).
Hm, I just found a rare video with that MIMHead with a story about it. Very interesting, this album and all about his wonderings outside of Purple very much remind me of the same type of period of Kiske outside Helloween :) Likewise - the fact that treir voices and singing quality are very much of similar type and class.
My fav singer superb and I still think he does his very very best is there any chance Pete we could do one of Acdc? Or Judas priest? I really enjoy your videos and youve turned me on to some amazing albums and bands so for that I thank you
I happen to be going through my Gillan's collection these days. Gillan indeed nailed excellent hard rock stuff in the late 70's early 80s. Being in Canada, we were mostly unaware of Gillan until Glory Road which really is a fantastic hard rock album with Gillan in top shape. All tracks are excellent and the album nearly is a 10/10. I just have little problems with the mix because the guitar pretty much sounds like it is squeezed in a can, like there was sone trauma about it 🤔 Best song of the album commercially speaking is On The Rocks, best hard rock is Are You Sure and best Gillan vocal performance is If You Believe Me. If You Believe Me is the best or second best track ever for Gillan's voice (unlike Child In Time, his voice ain't 6db too low and squeezed into that can) and by far his best slow heavy blues compared to Place In Line and Mitzee Dupre where Tormé guitar solo beats Ritchie on those tracks. Thanks for the review 👍
A tab of good LSD reveals that Glory Road was actually a great heavy acid rock album (or so I've been told.) It actually reveals a whole new dimension of Glory Road and Gillan. Gillan was definitely similar to a few NWOBHM bands, but Glory Road was heavy AND full of mind bending atmosphere.
You forgot Dreamcather and One eye to Marocco... Have All the albums you present here.... I saw him a lot of times solo, forstå time 77 on Roskilde festival.... ❤️
hi pete what about john mc coy who did solo albums (83"MC COY") after the break up of gillan and joined samson on bass but may be i'm wrong is that the contrary ?
I first saw Janick Gers playing with White Spirit who were one of the best NWOBHM bands, but for some reason never made it. Check out their debut album called White Spirit which is a great but little known album.
i always thought Samson (Head On) period was alot like Gillan, but lacking Colin Towns extraordinary honky tonk piano, which took Gillan the band to unusual places
Nice Tee bro!!! I saw the Double Trouble, Magic and, later, the Toolbox tour. Double trouble Tour was fantastic with the amazing Budgie opening for them (promoting their brilliant Nightflight album!); Magic was a tired band going through the motions; Toolbox was a lot later, and way too metal imo!
Future Shock was a weak album but "Mutually Assured Destruction" is an absolute killer track, and of course "New Orleans" was a great cover that was actually a pretty big hit in the UK.
Dreamcatcher is a strangely chill and cool album - kinda different, little bit folky, popppy but I like that different face. Gillan is more mature on some materials.
Love the Gillan albums but Future Shock for me is excellent better than Double Trouble and Mr Universe albums (which are excellent albums). Glory Road is my favourite though. The Live 3 CD set is worth buying too if you like Gillan.
It was Episode Six drummer Mick Underwood who recommended Gillan to Deep Purple. He was a friend of Ritchie's and they had played together in The Outlaws. After an Episode Six concert, which was attended by Blackmore and Lord, during which Blackmore went onstage for a jam, Lord asked Gillan if he would be interested in joining Deep Purple. Gillan accepted right away and he was then asked if he knew any bass players. Gillan recommended Roger Glover.
@@marguskiis7711 It's more than a legend. It was taken from the book titled Smoke On The Water, The Deep Purple Story. Written by Dave Thompson. Ian Gillan says the same thing in his autobiography.
Sorry Margus, it was definitely Mick Underwood who recommended Gillan for DP. Glover was invited along by Ian and filled in for Simper during auditions and the recording of Hallelujah. The band had reservations about Simper as well as Evans, but Ian brought Roger along and sort of cajoled the band into bringing his friend in to play bass as a condition of his employment. Nick is a great bassist, but Roger wasn't too shabby either, and he also had a knack for writing and an ear for production.
Never understood the love for "Zero The Hero". There are some great songs on "Born Again" but "Zero The Hero" ain't one of them. I always thought it sounded like an 80s toy commercial jingle. "Zero The Hero! Some assembly required! Accessories sold separately! From Matel!" etc.
Early Deep Purple with Ian Gillian was the inspiration for all Hard Rock bands to follow. Gillian in his prime was untouchable.
Mr Universe is one hell of an album. Loved that a lot of their songs had an element of humour. There's no laughing in Heaven! Brilliant albums/brilliant live. One of my favs.
One of the best of all time.
Dave Defrancesco No one of the best, BEST SINGER IN ROCK HISTORY FOREVER, and very good man!!!
Loved the late 70s, we'd get to see Gillan, Whitesnake and Rainbow on a regular basis and then have all those superb albums that were released. Gillan lost something for me when Bernie Torme left but I still have those memories. Mr Universe remains one of my top ten albums ever. Love it.
Seeing your Gillan retrospective was a nice surprise. Always loved the Gillan band with Torme,Towns,etc. from the beginning. Such an underrated band.I enjoy Mr. Universe, Glory Road and Future Shock as much as anything that Rainbow ever did and Blackmore is my favorite guitarist. The Janick Gers albums I enjoy also,but to a lesser degree. Bought Glory Road when it came out.US version had Running White Face City Boy as opening track.They tried to push that as a single in the US.I heard it a few times on the big FM rock radio station here in Chicago, but it didn't last.They played at a 21 and over rock club in Chicago and I was 19.I was so frustrated and it turned out that was their only US tour.Thanks for delving into a lot of great music and hopefully people will check out stuff like Gillan,etc... that they haven't heard.
Saw Gillan at Brunel University in 1980 I think it was. Only about 100 people there. Fantastic. But for me their performance at Reading festval in 79 tops it all. Transmitted on Radio 1 by Tommy Vance. Still enjoy to this day. So much enegy...
Yes that's right Rob, I remember hearing that on it's first broadcast on' The Friday Rock Show'. Tracks were subsequently issued by Virgin Records under licence from the BBC as a double pack EP from the Reading Festival set.
Fighting man is my favourite , very much underated, check it out
Glory Road is one of my favourite albums!
Just watched this a couple of days ago. I'd got Gillan - The Japanese Album, years ago without even realising it was the first proper Gillan album. Thanks for the history, DP been my fav band for about 30+ years now, and always thought Gillan was one of the best rock singers period. And not just because of his amazing screams in his early career, but also for the depth of emotion in tracks like "When a blind man cries" and "Sometimes I feel like screaming" etc.
From Southern California, while on vacation in England, bought the Gillan compilation “What I Did On My Vacation.” That was the first I had heard of anything he did post-Purple. Back home I started finding the albums in the Import bins of local record stores, and loved all of it. Bought the CD releases, I believe on MetalBlade, with bonus tracks... and really enjoy The Who Cares release with Iommi... great show, Pete 🤘
Gillan's Inn was released in 2006 I was lucky to catch him on his solo tour that summer in Philly and got his autograph and shook his hand!
Gillan is so underrated nowadays. Everybody remembers Ozzy's and Dio's solo careers, but for me Gillan is as good if not better, at least Mr Universe is better than any Ozzy or Dio album in my opinion.
100% for me its Glory Road.....one amazing lp. So underrated.
I literally walked into the house after listening to Mr Universe and the Japan album and here you are discussing him. Wow.
Perfect timing!
Just Ordered Mr. Universe...lol...thanks, Pete...the opening track is super proggy
Thanks Pete Pardo, nice story.
Gillan's blend of vocal power and British humour gave him a very recognizable musical identity. He's one of the greatest hard rock vocalists ever ( not metal, because he hated the leather outfits !) with a very unique style of his own.
I love the reworking of "Child in Time" that the IGB did. "Bluesy Blue Sea" is a great tume. Ian tears it up.
Not sure if you're a Budgie fan, but if you are, it would be cool if you did a history of them. Criminally underrated band. Especially their output from 1971-1978.
Love Budgie- great idea, I will add to my to do list!
Absolutely endorse this! I saw Budgie open for Gillan 1980ish! They came on with Panzer Division and blew the roof of the Bristol Colston Hall; promoting their Nightlife album with the epic Turn To Stone on it (which they also killed live!) One of the great bands imo!
Good call, but don't count out the Big John Thomas era, especially Power Supply and Night Flight.
Great video....first gig I ever went to was Gillan on the 1979 Mr Universe tour. Support acts were Randy California (Spirit) and Samson ( Bruce Dickinson). Cost me £1.90 for the ticket. Still one of the best gigs I ever went to. Mr Universe is the best album they ever did. Keep up .the great work 🤟🤟
Great video, a couple of years ago I found the "Japanese" album on vinyl for £9 as a local record shop. Suffice to say I quietly handed my money over and left feeling like a winner.
So great to hear someone talk about Gillan. I still have my original vinyl copy of Mr Universe. Cherkazoo is awesome, also his later solo album “One eye to Morocco” is a fine album.
My favorite IGB album is Scarabus, I still have an original vinyl of that one also.
I didn’t love the Gillans Inn redo but I think “Bluesy blue sea” was improved upon here.
Good review. The issue of money was a very contentious one with the Gillan band. Whatever their profile in other territories, in the UK they were every bit as successful as Rainbow and Whitesnake for a short time. Glory Road and Future Shock were both top 5 albums, and the band logged numerous hit singles and TV appearances. They headlined Reading Festival a couple of times as well, at that time the premier Rock festival in the UK. It was the radio broadcasts of those live shows that really got me into the band.
True, and probably the main reason McCoy or Torme don't speak to Gillan.
There's some video interviews knocking about that dwell on this very issue, it's a sad watch really, Torme especially still seems very cut up about it - how they basically made no money at all, but Gillan did quite well out of it.
Thanks for the history. I was a Purple fan, but it was as if Gillan [solo] was blacklisted in the US after he left the band. I don't remember seeing anything or hearing anything about his solo stuff. Didn't hear much about Purple post Gillan either, 'til he came back.
I never knew about this chapter of Ian's career. I've been delving into the family tree of Deep Purple and this series has filled in several gaps for me,thanks.
Excellent video! Gillan is/was an amzing singer -0ne of my all time favs. I didn't see "One Eye to Morooco"? Good album.
This has been about the most helpful SoT video for me -- didn't know any of this music, just knew it existed. I also love the history of Uriah Heep -- another band that as always on the periphery of my awareness. I saw them at Madison Square Garden as a kid.... opening for Jethro Tull (I think? -- could've been ELP?) but didn't follow. Now checking out all this stuff. But back to Gillan.... at his peak, the most astounding rock vocalist ever, IMO. Glad to learn a bit about this series of records.
good show been waiting for that one
I remember seeing a couple of his solo albums at the record stores back in the 80s but I never heard any of it on the radio so I didn’t buy any of them. I do own the Gillan-Glover album and I believe that was released in ‘88.
Thanks and once again I always learn a lot with these videos.
Ian "the Silver Voice 🎤" Gillan 👏👏
I was a huge Deep Purple fan and when Ian Gillan left the band I thought he was being an egotistical lead singer. Then, when I heard the Ian Gillan Band’s album I immediately compared it to Deep Purple and what he did with them and thought it was nowhere near as good. So you are right, I really didn’t give Gillan that much of a chance because I was mad at him for leaving one of my favorite bands. I wanted to hear and hopefully see him with the mighty DP. I forgave him when Deep Purple reformed in the 80’s, too late for the Gillan Band. Of course, years later I found out that the real problem was Ritchie Blackmore and his arrogance. I ended up buying Gillan CD’s as cut outs and discovered what I had missed out on. Can’t wait for your History of Blue Oyster Cult as I’ve been a fan ever since I bought their 1st album on 8 track when it was released.
@Chris Manzi Mostly true, but you are a bit too generous to Richie. How many gifted musicians did he either fire or leave due to his mercurial attitude and chronic dissatisfaction with much of anything he ever did? Evans, Simper, Gillan, Glover, Hughes, Coverdale, Lord, Paice, Gruber, Soule, Bain, Carey, Daisley, Stone, Dio, Bonnet, etc. Genius? Perhaps. Narcissistic genius would be more accurate. I love his playing, but I can't think of another musician who blew through so many musicians as the leader of two bands. In all fairness, the Blackmore's Knight lineup was relatively consistent, and Gillan handled his departure from his solo band for Sabbath quite unprofessionally, but Blackmore suddenly (and unprofessionally) quit Purple in 94 in the middle of The Battle Rages On tour, and seldom committed to anything long term, save for 3 1/2 years with the first MK 2 era and many years with Blackmore's Knight (with his wife).
Thanks for the retrospective Pete. IMO Gillan is one of the most overlooked bands from the NWOBHM. I myself was a Deep Purple mega fan and for years and had no idea the band even existed until the internet age. There’s a box set out on vinyl and cd that’ includes all of the studio albums, for Gillan fans only, and a pretty cool booklet with a little band history. Keep the reviews coming brother.
I agree completely, this was a great band which got little to no coverage. To this day I have not read a rock or metal magazine that mentioned this band once. What the hell?
Ian Gillan also toured under the name of Garth Rockett and the Moonshiners in 1989 performing some material from the Gillan era.
Cool man. Gillan was an essential part of the NWOBHM sound, in addition to being a legend of classic stoner style rock and proto metal.
Accidentally On Purpose was 1988 - just before Gillan was sacked from Deep Purple. It's stood the test of time. The Gillan band produced some darn good music. Secret of the Dance, She Tears Me Down, Dead of Night, Fighting Man, Unchain Your Brain, No Easy Way, If You Believe Me etc.
Great video. Here in Canada it was the same: almost no one talked about Gillan albums, especially the later ones. I found a few ofthem in the weirdest/coolest place: my public library had a Child in Time, Live Tokyo October 1978, and the Gillan Tapes Vol 1 and Vol 2 on vinyl. Checked them out, recorded them on to cassettes. Those cassettes were my only copies until the recent remasters and re releases.
Hey Pete, really good video)) Thanks for doing this. I actually remember (and I bought the albums) seeing all the releases of the IGB in the import section. I did not see GIllan in the shops. A friend of mine somehow got a hold of, I think it was Future Shock. We played that and really enjoyed it. That was our awareness this band existed. I seem to remember that Episode Six did a song called Mr. Universe, so I don't know if the Gillan version is a cover or not.
Anyway, I also wanted to mention that you should probably be given an honorary doctorate in music)) You knowledge of rock, fusion, etc is really extensive ))) Your videos are informative and watching them, the time just goes whooshing past! Keep up the great work.
The 2 songs called Mr Universe are entirely different.
@@CB-xr1eg Although they are different songs the 1979 Mr Universe does feature some of the same lyrics: 'Are you god, are you man...'
@@smithymcsmith8768 One or two lines may be similar but as I said, completely different songs by different bands.
Not really sure what point you're trying to make.
Future shock and glory road are 2 of my favorite albums alongside deep purple of course
Would love to see a “Now What” Deep Cuts review please 🙂
One of my favorite drummers of all time Leonard Haze of Y&T was also a drummer in the Ian Gillian band.
Thanks Pete! Love Gillan and love the t-shirt! Since you mentioned CTTB, any chance at a Tommy Bolin retrospective?
FYI, I grew up in Edison, and had the first IGB LP, Live at the Budokan, Mr. Universe, and Glory Road, probably picked up at Cheap Thrills in New Brunswick or at the old US 1 flea market. You’re right they didn’t get a lot of press here, although their 1980 tour was probably advertised in a blurb in the old Aquarian alternative newspaper.
I was in 10th grade in ‘80, and me and a buddy scored a pair of tix for Gillian’s show at the Ritz in NYC. Unfortunately, my buddy’s parents got the kibosh put on us and we weren’t able to catch the show, to my everlasting regret. Was later able to catch IG with Sabbath and of course during the ‘85 DP Mk.II reunion tour and beyond. Really enjoying your vids!
That would have been a great show to see G!
Great episode...
Hey pete !!! ..👍..good , man !!
Ian Gillan also was Jesus (Double album Jesus Christ Superstar), and John Gustafson was Simon Zealotes, also singing on the album
I thought Bono was Jesus?
Hi Pete, at last!! I asked for this yonks ago, glad you hadn't forgotten!
Thanks. Another suggestion, Ronnie James Dio. That could be a long video as he started in the late 1950's singing doo wop tunes, which are actually pretty good.
I was lucky enough to see Gillan several times in the early 80s. Really good band, especially with Bernie Torme on guitar who has a completely unique style and is extremely underrated. John McCoy also had a unique bass sound and live had a really thudding bass the like of which I've never heard before or since.
Great review Pete. Waiting to hear it. It seems we have a similar taste. Thanks!
saw Gillan twice back in the early 80's as kid
I just checked out Mr.universe. kick ass album.thanks Pete for the heads up on that one.
Double Trouble is my favorite. The Canadian release of Future Shock was different, it had Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.), Trouble & One For The Road on it.
The Scarabus album is very strong in my opinion.
Great live band
I've never listened to any of the presented albumbs here Pete.......I have many albums to listen yet jajajajjaaj.......
You have homework to do Bruno!!
Great vocalist, recently have seen Pavarotti and Gillan singing together
'Gillan' were the first professional band I ever saw, when I was 18, blew me away to see my hero right in front of me! I don't think Ian appeared for a couple of songs with Rainbow; Ritchie joined 'Gillan' on stage for a couple of tunes at the Marquee in London. It was a shame Bernie Torme was in the band throughout, a great foil for Ian. 'Fighting Man' is stunning - Colin Towns orignally wrote that for Ian to showcase his voice when they were in the Ian Gillan Band, but Nauseef, Fenwick and Gustafson didn't take it seriously which annoyed Ian and he said he basically left his own band. 'Mr. Universe', 'Glory Road' and 'Future Shock' are the pinnacle of that band, they had some singles success and had quite a following in the UK and Europe, their last show being Wembley Arena. I think 'Future Shock' is quite a bit better than 'Double Trouble', Janick didn't quite do it for me, tried to copy Ritchie it bit too much. He didn't have an operation on his nodes, just took time off and then joined Sabbath for a year before the Purple reformation. Ian later said that if 'Gillan' had continued then McCoy would not have been part of it, think he'd had enough of John. 'Accidentally On Purpose' is great fun to hear them do something completely different - try and pick up the remastered version, they came out the same time as the others releases you've got. It's upsetting to hear the deterioration in Ian's voice - he basically wore it out and didn't look after himself as far as his health is concerned. Glenn Hughes didn't do much after Purple until the 90s (apart from a couple of albums and a number of guest appearances), so he didn't wear it out, and even to this day he'll always have a day off between gigs, never two in a row. Whereas Ian would frequently do five in a row and seemed to tour all the time, plus an album every year or so he's not the force he once was, but he has his moments when he shines and he is still a creative force within Deep Purple. Thank you for this video, 'Gillan' is close to my heart and I have many fond memories of following this band. Take care, Ronnie.
Hughes sings funny and thinks he is DP
Gillan is indeed the real man to be remembered as far as "the loudest band" in the face of the earth.
Thanks Sir for Ian Gillan's life story. I grew up listening to their music, particularly "Machine Head". I like your shirt. Nice one!
I believe Accidentally on Purpose was released in 1988, Ian and Roger needed a creative release after the occasionally tumultuous House of Blue Light sessions with Purple. I believe Gillans Inn was 2006.
Trashed on Gillan's Inn is Gillan, Glover, Paice and Iommi. What if Iommi joined Deep Purple?
Imagine that!!!
Can you do a history of Rush?
he also sung and recorded songs with michalis rakintzis in greece
Magic is my favorite. Demon driver is awesome. Glory road is great in it's rawness, but to me Magic is the winner, super tight, well produced, exellent vocal performance.
Piano break on She tears me down - Colin Towns was the reason Mr Universe was such a good album
I saw the first Gillan Band live with Steve Byrd. Great gig. I still have the Japanese LP, which I always preferred to Mr Universe.
Hey great stuff just found your channel and please please tell me where I can get that t-shirt!??
Great Vid as Always Pete.. John McCoy Did a good Album Called "Think Hard Again" Which Featured Colin Towns from Gillan as Well as Paul Samson (Samson band). Ron (Rebel) Matthews Who was the original drummer of Iron Maiden and Someone named T Bone on Vocals..it contains a great version of Fleetwood Mac's Oh Well. .Well Worth checking Out Mate
I haven't heard all these albums but is awared of most except a few of the rare live-things. For my money "Ian Gillan Band - Clear Air Turbluence" is a winner. The other two albums are a bit of hit and miss. Nothing I'd really search for when looking in my record collection. The "CAT" is very enjoyable though.. A bit progressive rock / jazz-ish and very solid. The other record I will mention is "Toolbox" from early 90's.. After "The House of Blue Light" and before "The Battle Rages On..." and in my world definitely better than both (don't mind any of them..).
As an observation - Gillan didn't have a US record deal in the '80's. Imports were hard to come by, so it isn't surprising that they didn't do well over here - Whitesnake had the same problem.
Gillan was at least pretty popular here in Europe. Still pretty underrated. Here specifically in Finland, I've even seen the Glory Road album a couple times in thrift stores.
The only way I knew of the Gillan band was a comp I bought in 80s called Live & Heavy. It had "Unchain Your Brain" from them and it also contained my favorite version of "White Line Fever" by Motorhead (live, dirty and sloppy).
RIP Bernie ☹️
Huge influence on Savatage, and Exxplorer
What would you say about Gillan-Glover's "Music In My Head"?... Have you seen that double CD w/ "Accidentally On Purpose" from 2005?
Hm, I just found a rare video with that MIMHead with a story about it. Very interesting, this album and all about his wonderings outside of Purple very much remind me of the same type of period of Kiske outside Helloween :) Likewise - the fact that treir voices and singing quality are very much of similar type and class.
My fav singer superb and I still think he does his very very best is there any chance Pete we could do one of Acdc? Or Judas priest? I really enjoy your videos and youve turned me on to some amazing albums and bands so for that I thank you
Judas Priest show is coming very soon!!
@@seaoftranquilityprog awesome.i wait with baited breath rock on Pete🤘🤘🤘🤘 also what would be very very interesting is QUEEN??
Please do a history of Glenn Hughes. He did some amazing albums!
I happen to be going through my Gillan's collection these days. Gillan indeed nailed excellent hard rock stuff in the late 70's early 80s. Being in Canada, we were mostly unaware of Gillan until Glory Road which really is a fantastic hard rock album with Gillan in top shape. All tracks are excellent and the album nearly is a 10/10. I just have little problems with the mix because the guitar pretty much sounds like it is squeezed in a can, like there was sone trauma about it 🤔
Best song of the album commercially speaking is On The Rocks, best hard rock is Are You Sure and best Gillan vocal performance is If You Believe Me. If You Believe Me is the best or second best track ever for Gillan's voice (unlike Child In Time, his voice ain't 6db too low and squeezed into that can) and by far his best slow heavy blues compared to Place In Line and Mitzee Dupre where Tormé guitar solo beats Ritchie on those tracks.
Thanks for the review 👍
A tab of good LSD reveals that Glory Road was actually a great heavy acid rock album (or so I've been told.) It actually reveals a whole new dimension of Glory Road and Gillan. Gillan was definitely similar to a few NWOBHM bands, but Glory Road was heavy AND full of mind bending atmosphere.
Especially the flutey bits on 'Abbey of Thelema' (bonus disc).
You forgot Dreamcather and One eye to Marocco... Have All the albums you present here.... I saw him a lot of times solo, forstå time 77 on Roskilde festival.... ❤️
hi pete what about john mc coy who did solo albums (83"MC COY") after the break up of gillan and joined samson on bass but may be i'm wrong is that the contrary ?
THIS MAN WAS THE ORIGINATOR OF THE HIGH PITCH VIBRATTO SCREAM
ben men I heard Gillan got his screams from Johnny Winter and Little Richard who was considered a screamer for those times.
IGB are my clear favorites , but listen to South Africa and Living for the city from Magic with the band Gillan
Gillan Band good band.
I first saw Janick Gers playing with White Spirit who were one of the best NWOBHM bands, but for some reason never made it. Check out their debut album called White Spirit which is a great but little known album.
Pete, really surprised you weren't wearing a Gillan Tee -shirt
Bernie Torme did an album with future L.A. Guns singer Phil Lewis called Back To Babylon.
I thought Gillan got pretty big in Europe. They became headliners there and their albums reached top 10. My favourite was Glory Road.
I guess You forgot to mention "Dreamcatcher", his solo album from 1997. By far not his best album but it has it's moments.
i always thought Samson (Head On) period was alot like Gillan, but lacking Colin Towns extraordinary honky tonk piano, which took Gillan the band to unusual places
As a fan of fusion, I consider "Clear air turbulence" the best album Gillan ever made. "Jesus Christ Superstar" is also a great job.
Nice Tee bro!!! I saw the Double Trouble, Magic and, later, the Toolbox tour. Double trouble Tour was fantastic with the amazing Budgie opening for them (promoting their brilliant Nightflight album!); Magic was a tired band going through the motions; Toolbox was a lot later, and way too metal imo!
Gilllan`s response to Ritchie Blackmore inviting him to join Rainbow was to say no, but you can join my band.
Future Shock was a weak album but "Mutually Assured Destruction" is an absolute killer track, and of course "New Orleans" was a great cover that was actually a pretty big hit in the UK.
Dreamcatcher is a strangely chill and cool album - kinda different, little bit folky, popppy but I like that different face. Gillan is more mature on some materials.
Love the Gillan albums but Future Shock for me is excellent better than Double Trouble and Mr Universe albums (which are excellent albums). Glory Road is my favourite though. The Live 3 CD set is worth buying too if you like Gillan.
Actually Glover suggested to add Gillan to DP. Gillan was a pop singer before DP, nobody knew his abilities as heavy rock vocalist.
It was Episode Six drummer Mick Underwood who recommended Gillan to
Deep Purple. He was a friend of Ritchie's and they had played together in
The Outlaws. After an Episode Six concert, which was attended by Blackmore and Lord, during which Blackmore went onstage for a jam, Lord asked Gillan if he would be interested in joining Deep Purple. Gillan accepted right away
and he was then asked if he knew any bass players. Gillan recommended
Roger Glover.
@@CB-xr1eg There are a lot of legends but it was more logical that they neede a real songwriter. Not bass player because Simper was very good one.
@@marguskiis7711 It's more than a legend. It was taken from the book titled Smoke On The Water, The Deep Purple Story. Written by Dave Thompson. Ian Gillan says the same thing in his autobiography.
When Ian auditioned for Purple , Roger came along for moral support and was asked to sit in.
Sorry Margus, it was definitely Mick Underwood who recommended Gillan for DP. Glover was invited along by Ian and filled in for Simper during auditions and the recording of Hallelujah. The band had reservations about Simper as well as Evans, but Ian brought Roger along and sort of cajoled the band into bringing his friend in to play bass as a condition of his employment. Nick is a great bassist, but Roger wasn't too shabby either, and he also had a knack for writing and an ear for production.
You missed two albums Dreamcatcher and one eye to morocco
Clear Air Turbulence.
i love Ians voice. But i have tried to listen to his none DP stuff and i just dont get into it.
My thoughts exactly and I'm a huge purple fan
Never understood the love for "Zero The Hero". There are some great songs on "Born Again" but "Zero The Hero" ain't one of them. I always thought it sounded like an 80s toy commercial jingle.
"Zero The Hero! Some assembly required! Accessories sold separately! From Matel!" etc.
The only Gillan albums that were released in Canada were Glory Road & Future Shock. The rest were imports.
Most got in the uk charts .