It's Ian Gillan's birthday!
One' of the Gods of Hard Rock got his start in the biz in the mid-60s, when he joined the band Episode Six, replacing their original singer. This would be a common thread in Gillan's career, as he would leave Episode Six to join Deep Purple in 1969, when they fired original lead singer Rod Evans.
Together with Purple the band would have a string of hit songs and albums, which made them one of the dominant Hard Rock bands of the 70's. With hits like "Smoke On The Water" and "Highway Star," their album Machine Head became one of the most influential records in rock history.
In 73, Gillan would resign from the band, after enduring too much turmoil with Ritchie Blackmore. Ian would go on forming his own solo bands the Ian Gillan Band and Gillan, before accepting an invitation to join the iconic Black Sabbath, after the departure of Ronnie James Dio. 1983 would be a long year for Gillan as he recorded one album with Sabbath and attempted a tour, but the two sides were just not on the same page and after the comical Stonehenge incident that eventually influenced an iconic scene in the hit comedy film This is Spinal Tap, Gillan would reunite with Purple, for two successful albums.
He returned to the group in 1993, and has remained its lead singer ever since. Ian Gillan is a giant in rock music, and his career is one of the most storied in the business. A string of hit albums and songs under his belt, his name is synonymous with being a frontman for a band.
Happy Birthday Ian, you are The Highway Star!