Deep Purple Singer Ian Gillan Hospitalized After Medical Emergency, Band Postpones Two German Shows
British rock band Deep Purple announced on October 31 that singer Ian Gillan has been hospitalized after a medical emergency, forcing the band to call off two shows in Germany this weekend. Gillan is 81, and the band shared no further details about his condition.
The cancelled shows were scheduled for October 31 at the QI Arena in Leipzig and November 1 at the Sporthalle in Hamburg. "We understand that this announcement comes at short notice and share the disappointment of all our wonderful fans," the band said, adding that it is focused on finding suitable dates to reschedule both shows and that tickets will remain valid.
Gillan joined Deep Purple in 1969, replacing original frontman Rod Evans, and became the band's defining voice on classics such as "Smoke on the Water" and "Child in Time." The current line-up also includes guitarist Simon McBride, bassist Roger Glover, drummer Ian Paice and keyboardist Don Airey.
Deep Purple have been on their "SPLAT!" world tour since early August, with the next German date currently scheduled for November 3 in Dortmund and the tour running through December. According to People, former member Glenn Hughes also stepped away from touring in August ahead of heart surgery.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Ian Gillan 2022年在德国 Lieder am See 音乐节演出（资料图），Stefan Brending (2eight) 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0 de，经 Wikimedia Commons 取得并自托管
