Ian Gillan of Deep Purple Faces Vision Loss, Says Retirement “Not Far Off”

Ian Gillan has long been one of rock’s most commanding voices, shaping the sound of Deep Purple since the late 1960s. Even at 80 years old, he remains remarkably active on the road, with the band performing across the Middle East, Asia, and preparing for more dates in 2026. But behind the energized stage presence, Gillan is facing a personal battle that he recently spoke about with unusual candor.

In a new interview, Gillan revealed that he now lives with only 30% of his vision, a condition that will not improve. Despite the seriousness of the issue, he maintains a calm acceptance of his situation and continues to adapt to daily life. He describes simple tasks—like working on a laptop—as challenges he solves in his own way, even learning to read lines by using his peripheral vision.

This mix of humor, acceptance, and determination sets the tone for his reflections on aging. Gillan acknowledges that time is catching up, but he isn’t letting it stop him from performing just yet. Instead, he sees life as a strange blend of inconvenience and amusement, something he navigates with a shrug and a smile.

Ian Gillan Speaks Frankly About His Vision Loss

Gillan’s admission that his eyesight has deteriorated to just 30% was one of the most candid revelations of the interview. He explained that the condition adds “mystery” to everyday life, and while it complicates things, it does not define him. Instead of dwelling on what he has lost, he focuses on finding ways around the problem.

A large portion of his frustration lies in technology. He jokingly mentioned that working on his laptop is now the hardest part of his routine since he can no longer read the screen head-on. By relying on peripheral vision, he manages to navigate text and emails by looking at them sideways—a small but constant reminder of how much he has had to adjust.

Even with these limitations, Gillan keeps his spirits up. He often frames aging with humor, saying he feels things “drop off” when he’s walking down the road, treating the process with a mix of resignation and comedy. This lighthearted approach has become one of his trademarks in recent interviews.

The Slow Creep Toward Retirement

Although still touring, Gillan admitted that retirement is coming sooner rather than later. He emphasized that he wants to bow out with dignity, stating that he does not want to become “an embarrassment” to his bandmates or fans. For him, the deciding factor will be energy—if he feels it fade, that will be the moment he steps aside.

Gillan noted that the realization isn’t dramatic or sudden. Instead, it “creeps up on you,” a gradual awareness that your body no longer reacts or recovers like it once did. Still, he insists that aside from the limitations, not much has changed. He moves slower, but he continues to push forward with the same commitment to the music he loves.

Deep Purple fans have long admired Gillan for his honesty, and this moment is no different. His transparency about aging is rare among aging rock icons, many of whom prefer to avoid discussing physical decline. Gillan, by contrast, treats it as a fact of life rather than something to hide.

A Look Back at a Legendary Career

Gillan’s reflections carry more weight when viewed against the backdrop of his decades-long career. He joined Deep Purple in 1969 and helped define their classic sound on monumental albums like Deep Purple in Rock. His powerful vocals and dramatic style became essential to the band’s identity during the early 1970s hard rock explosion.

After leaving the group in 1973, he reinvented himself through several solo projects before taking an unexpected detour as the vocalist for Black Sabbath in 1983. This one-year stint remains one of the most unusual chapters in heavy metal history, but it also showed his willingness to take risks and explore new musical territory.

When Deep Purple reunited in 1984, Gillan returned and has stayed with the band ever since, contributing to a career that spans more than half a century. His impact on hard rock is undeniable, and his voice—while shaped by age and time—continues to be one of the genre’s most recognizable. Whether retirement comes next year or a few years from now, his legacy is already firmly secured.