Deep Purple have cancelled two shows after frontman Ian Gillan suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to hospital.
The statement was shared from the rock band’s official Instagram page on Saturday afternoon (31 October), with a spokesperson confirming that Gillan remains in hospital.
No details were disclosed as to the cause of his illness.
“With great disappointment, Deep Purple must announce that they are unable to perform as scheduled tonight at the QI Arena (Leipzig) and tomorrow evening at the Sporthalle (Hamburg),” the statement said.
“This comes as a result of a medical emergency involving Ian Gillan, which has resulted in his current hospitalisation.”
The band continued: “We understand that this announcement comes at short notice and share the disappointment of all our wonderful fans that we are unable to perform in Leipzig and Hamburg.
“Deep Purple and their team are focused on finding a suitable time to reschedule both these shows.”
All tickets purchased for the cancelled shows will be valid for the rescheduled tour dates.
Co-founded in 1968 by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, singer Rod Evans, drummer Ian Paice, keyboardist Jon Lord and bassist Nick Simper, Deep Purple has since undergone several lineup changes, with current frontman Gillan replacing Evans the year after they started out.
Blackmore, 81, surprised fans in Wantagh, New York, this summer when he joined the group on stage for a performance of their classic 1972 hit “Smoke on the Water.”
“It was very moving because I went on very quickly and had to play immediately. I couldn’t warm up, but I wasn’t there to be playing correct notes. I was there to see old friends I hadn’t seen in 40 years,” Blackmore told Guitar Player of the experience. “We’re all getting older. I think we realised it could be the last time we see each other maybe.”
The special performance marked Blackmore’s first time returning to Deep Purple since his formal exit in 1993. He initially left the group in 1975 to form a new group, Rainbow, before returning in 1984. His second and permanent departure came during their 1993 The Battle Rages On world tour.
Blackmore previously described Gillan, 81, as having a “strange obnoxious side to him,” clarifying to Guitar Player that the pair were “two alpha guys” who simply “clashed in the old days.”
“But all that [has] changed,” he said, “I was there to heal any wounds — but there weren’t any wounds. Everyone was like, we were in the army, all along the western front and we were all getting together again. Very emotional moment.”
Meanwhile in August, Gillan dismissed speculation that he was preparing to retire, insisting he still has the energy to perform.
Speaking to The Independent at the Montreux Jazz Festival, where the band were inspired to write “Smoke on the Water” after a fire destroyed the city’s casino while they were visiting, Gillan clarified comments that had been interpreted as suggesting he was ready to step away.
"I never said that at all," he clarified. "What I said was when I felt I didn't have the strength, then I would retire."
The singer added that the band is still "cranking", praising the energy of their live shows and describing their latest album, Splat, as among their strongest work in years.
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