The great Gillan band were one of the hard rock bands to make a significant impact and commercial success in the United Kingdom during the early 1980s, with five albums in the Top 20. Hot on the heels of the Double Trouble album, the band toured ferociously. This lineup features Ian Gillan, Colin Towns, Mick Underwood, John McCoy and a young Janick Gers who would go onto join Iron Maiden.

 

Deep Purple legend Ian Gillan’s The Vinyl Collection 1979-1982 was released on October 21st via Demon Records. In a new video below, the man himself unboxed the records and tells you more about them.

Gillan - The Vinyl Collection houses together all five UK studio albums by the legendary rock powerhouse. All have been recreated as first pressing replicas, so Future Shock has the original 12x12 booklet and Glory Road contains the bonus LP, For Gillan Fans Only. All pressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl housed in a rigid slipcase.

Mr Universe - 1979’s Mr Universe was Gillan’s second album and the first issued in the UK. This album cemented the classic line up of former Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan, guitarist Bernie Torm?, bassist John McCoy, pianist Colin Towns and drummer Mick Underwood. High energy classic hard rock from beginning to end.

Glory Road - Issued in 1980, at the height of the NWoBHM, Glory Road took Gillan to new levels of energy and success, cementing them as Top Of The Pops regulars. Classic British hard rock at its best.

For Gillan Fans Only - Originally issued as a limited edition bonus disc to 1980’s Glory Road, For Gillan Fans Only features b-sides, studio outtakes and specially recorded material, interspersed with quips and irrelevance, all showcasing the band’s creativity and humour. This also features the side project The Split Knee Loons.

Future Shock - Gillan’s 1981 album Future Shock saw these Reading Festival regulars at their lyrically most personal and diverse, taking on religion and the cold war. Aptly futuristic artwork encompassing a blistering cover of New Orleans, and No Laughing In Heaven an early rock meets rap chart hit.

Double Trouble - Gillan’s third album in 15 months saw this 1981 double album Double Trouble feature new guitarist Janick Gers (later of Iron Maiden), and a slightly more melodic approach. Two chart hits and a bonus disc of live material from the Reading Festival .

Magic - Magic, issued in 1982, was Gillan’s swansong before singer Ian joined Black Sabbath and then a reformed Deep Purple. There most melodic and underrated album, it featured the blistering Demon Driver and a cover of Stevie Wonder’s Living For The City. The catalogue ended on a high.

Order via the Amazon widget below. An Amazon UK Exclusive Edition containing a bonus 7" single for “Spanish Guitar” can be ordered here.

Unboxing video:

Trailer: