"Nothing's changed really apart from I can’t pole vault any more": Ian Gillan on getting older, losing his vision, and his unexpected new collaboration

Ian Gillan wearing sunglasses.

Ian Gillan has lost count of how many times he’s been asked to sing on other people’s songs.

“Thousands,” says the Deep Purple singer, speaking from his home in Portugal at the impressively early time of 8am on a Tuesday morning. “I don’t normally say yes, but this seemed right at the time. I loved the song and they’re a lovely bunch of guys.”