Gillan
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Klippdass
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/* Line up I */
{{for|people named Gillan|Gillan (surname)}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Name = Gillan
| Img =
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| Origin = [[England]]
| Background = group_or_band
| Genre = [[Hard rock]]<br>[[Heavy metal]]
| Years_active = [[1978]]-[[1980]]<br/>[[1981]]-[[1983]]
| Label =
| Associated_acts = [[Deep Purple]]
| Current_members =
|Past_members =
|URL =
}}
'''Gillan''' is a rock band formed in [[1978]] by former [[Deep Purple]] singer [[Ian Gillan]].
==History==
In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the [[jazz fusion]] style of his band called the [[Ian Gillan Band]] and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player [[Colin Towns]], and formed a new band entitled Gillan. He added Steve Byrd on guitar, Liam Genocky on drums and [[John McCoy (musician)|John McCoy]] on bass, and initially pursued a [[progressive rock]] direction, releasing their eponymous debut in 1978, although they could only get a record deal in [[Japan]]. This recording has subsequently become more widely available as ''[[Gillan (album)|The Japanese Album]]'' as a CD re-issue by RPM Records in 1994. Genocky was unable to commit to the band beyond the recording of the album and the band's live debut at the Reading Festival in 1978. He was replaced for the subsequent tour by [[Pete Barnacle]].
The album was sufficiently successful to attract more attention and in [[1979]] the band secured a European deal with [[Acrobat Records]]. Before a new album was recorded, Byrd was replaced by [[Bernie Torme]] and Barnacle by drummer [[Mick Underwood]], Ian Gillan's former colleague in [[Episode Six]]. Torme's "screaming guitar" sound fundamentally altered the dynamics and Gillan took a more [[heavy metal]] direction. This lineup's first album was released as ''[[Mr. Universe (album)|Mr. Universe]]'' and contained many re-worked songs from ''The Japanese Album''. The album went straight into the UK album charts but stalled as Acrobat Records went bankrupt. This led to a multi-album deal with [[Virgin Records]].
The band caught the rise of the [[New Wave Of British Heavy Metal|NWOBHM]] at just the right time and the group gained popularity in [[Europe]]. At Christmas 1979 Ian Gillan turned down an offer from [[Ritchie Blackmore]] to join [[Rainbow (band)|Rainbow]], but Blackmore did make a "legendary" guest appearance for Gillan at their Christmas show. It was the first time Ian Gillan and Blackmore had performed together since 1973.
In [[1980]] Gillan reached the peak of their success, releasing the successful ''Glory Road'' album, the initial copies also containing the free album "For Gillan Fans Only". However the band remained unknown in [[North America]] and were unable to raise any interest there despite several tours.
By [[1981]] the band members were becoming disgruntled that their European and Japanese success was not translating into increased financial rewards, and after the ''[[Future Shock (Gillan album)|Future Shock]]'' album, whilst on tour in Germany, Torme walked out just before the band were due to fly back to the UK to appear on [[Top of the Pops]]. He was replaced by [[White Spirit]] guitarist [[Janick Gers]] (who would later go on to join [[Iron Maiden]]) and this line up released the live/studio double album ''[[Double Trouble (Gillan album)|Double Trouble]]'' at the end of the year. In 1982 the final album ''[[Magic (Gillan album)|Magic]]'' followed. By this time, tension over money had reached fever pitch and Ian Gillan needed time to have nodes removed from his vocal cords. After the ''Magic'' tour Ian Gillan dissolved the band while he underwent surgery. He then accepted an offer to front [[Black Sabbath]], to the incredulity of the Gillan band members, particularly McCoy, and the acrimony remains to the present day.
McCoy subsequently released compilations of studio out-takes to which he had the rights, known as ''[[The Gillan Tapes]]'', and ensured that revenues were distributed fairly amongst the band. Bernie Torme and John McCoy recently joined forces on the GMT band project, releasing an album in 2006.
==Band line ups==
===1978-1980===
===Line up I===
*[[Ian Gillan]] - vocals
*[[Steve Bird]] - guitar
*[[John McCoy (musician)|John McCoy]] - bass
*[[Colin Towns]] - keyboard
*[[Liam Genocky]] - drums
===Line up II===
*Ian Gillan - vocals
*Steve Bird - guitar
*John McCoy - bass
*Colin Towns - keyboard
*[[Pete Barnacle]] - drums
===Line up III===
*Ian Gillan - vocals
*[[Bernie Torme]] - guitar
*John McCoy - bass
*Colin Towns - keyboard
*[[Mick Underwood]] - drums
===1981-1983===
===Line up IV===
*Ian Gillan - vocals
*[[Janick Gers]] - guitar
*John McCoy - bass
*Colin Towns - keyboard
*Mick Underwood - drums
==Discography==
* ''[[Gillan (album)|Gillan]]'' (aka ''The Japanese Album'') ([[1978]])
* ''[[Mr. Universe (album)|Mr. Universe]]'' #11 (UK) ([[1979]])
* ''[[Glory Road (album)|Glory Road]]'' #3 (UK) ([[1980]])
* ''[[Future Shock (Gillan album)|Future Shock]]'' #2 (UK) ([[1980]])
* ''[[Double Trouble (Gillan album)|Double Trouble]]'' (live) #12 (UK) ([[1981]])
* ''[[Magic (Gillan album)|Magic]]'' #17 (UK) ([[1982]])
==External links==
* [http://www.rockdetector.com/artist,3627.sm rockdetector biography]
[[Category:British rock music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1978]]
[[Category:British heavy metal musical groups]]
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