DEEP PURPLE’s IAN GILLAN Shares He Has Just 30% Vision, Suggests Retirement Is Approaching

DEEP PURPLE frontman Ian Gillan has opened up about his ongoing vision issues and hinted that the band’s retirement may be on the horizon.

Speaking to Uncut magazine, the 80-year-old singer revealed that he currently has only 30 percent vision—a condition that isn’t expected to improve. “It’s one of those things,” Gillan 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 the challenges, Gillan says he still manages to maintain a sense of humor about aging. “It’s hilarious this growing old thing. It’s a laugh a minute,” he said. “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.”

When asked about the possibility of retirement, Gillan was candid about knowing his limits. “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 challenges, Gillan remains committed to performing, with more than a dozen shows in Europe and Japan already lined up for 2026. But the legendary singer’s words make it clear that the era of DEEP PURPLE on the road may be drawing closer to its final chapter.

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