Deep Purple have been forced to postpone two concerts in Germany after frontman Ian Gillan was hospitalised following a “medical emergency”.
The legendary British rock band were due to perform at the QI Arena in Leipzig last night (October 31) and the Sporthalle in Hamburg tonight (November 1), as part of their ongoing ‘Splat!’ world tour.
However, the group announced on Saturday that both performances would be postponed after their 81-year-old singer was taken to hospital.
“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),” they wrote in a statement.
“This comes as a result of a medical emergency involving Ian Gillan, which has resulted in his current hospitalisation.”
The band said they understood the disappointment caused by the short-notice announcement and confirmed that they were working to arrange replacement dates for both concerts.
They added that all existing tickets would remain valid for the rescheduled performances, signing off their message: “With the greatest love and respect… Deep Purple x”.
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No further details have been shared about the nature of Gillan’s medical emergency or his condition.
The band are currently scheduled to resume their European tour at the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund on Tuesday (November 3), followed by a concert at Berlin’s Uber Arena the following evening.
The tour will subsequently reach the UK, with concerts scheduled for Newcastle (November 18), Glasgow (19), Birmingham (21), Manchester (22) and London (24 and 25).
The final UK date will see the band return to London’s Royal Albert Hall, the venue where they premiered their orchestral composition ‘Concerto For Group And Orchestra’ in 1969.
The tour comes in support of their 24th studio album ‘Splat!’, which was released in July via earMUSIC and was produced by longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin.
Last November, Gillan revealed that he was losing his eyesight and suggested that retirement was “not far off”, explaining that he had only around 30 per cent of his vision remaining, although he said he had adapted to the challenges it presented.
Asked about the possibility of retiring, Gillan said: “I think if I lose my energy I’m going to stop. I don’t want to be an embarrassment to anyone.”
Earlier this year, the band also made headlines when founding guitarist Ritchie Blackmore reunited with his former bandmates for the first time in 33 years.
Blackmore joined Gillan, Roger Glover and Ian Paice onstage in New York in August for a performance of ‘Smoke On The Water’, later describing the reunion as “very emotional”.