Deep Purple
Joins Deep Purple as lead vocalist, replacing Rod Evans and helping create the classic Mark II line-up.
Role range: 1969-1973
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Ian Gillan Biography and Timeline
Follow Ian Gillan through 8 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Ian Gillan, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
8Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1969–1993Years on this page
1969
1970
Child in Time
Delivers the dramatic vocal performance on Child in Time, one of Deep Purple's defining early concert pieces.
Role range: 1969-1973
Deep Purple in Rock
Sings on Deep Purple in Rock, the album that firmly establishes the band as a hard rock force.
Role range: 1969-1973
1971
Fireball
Sings on Fireball as Deep Purple builds on the success of Deep Purple in Rock.
Role range: 1969-1973
1973
Who Do We Think We Are
Completes his first period with Deep Purple after recording Who Do We Think We Are.
Role range: 1969-1973
1983
Born Again
Sings on Born Again after joining Black Sabbath from Deep Purple.
Role range: 1983-1984
1984
Perfect Strangers
Rejoins Deep Purple for the Mark II reunion and records Perfect Strangers.
Role range: 1984-1989
1993
The Battle Rages On
Returns to Deep Purple for The Battle Rages On, restoring the Mark II vocal line-up before Blackmore leaves again.
Role range: 1992-
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.