“United Kingdom to Commemorate Deep Purple Frontman Ian Gillan with Bronze Statue in Hounslow, Honoring His Towering Legacy as a Pioneer of British Hard Rock and One of Rock’s Most Powerful Voices”
Hounslow, West London – In a tribute that cements his place among the titans of rock history, Ian Gillan, the iconic voice of Deep Purple, will be immortalized in bronze in his hometown of Hounslow. The statue, a project supported by the British Rock Heritage Foundation and the London Borough of Hounslow, will stand proudly near the town square, just steps from where Gillan spent his formative years.
With a voice that soared across stadiums and helped define the sound of hard rock, Gillan’s contributions to music are immense. From the soaring vocals of “Child in Time” to the gritty energy of “Smoke on the Water”, Ian Gillan helped craft a sound that influenced generations and shaped the evolution of heavy metal.
Hometown Honors the Voice of a Generation
Born in 1945, Gillan grew up in the streets of Hounslow before rising to global fame as the frontman of Deep Purple during the band’s most legendary era — the Mark II lineup of the early 1970s. It was here, in small pubs and community centers, that he first sharpened his vocals and passion for rock and blues.
“This statue is long overdue,” said Frances Maynard, director of the British Rock Heritage Foundation. “Ian Gillan isn’t just a rock vocalist — he is the rock vocalist. His range, his power, and his longevity are a gift to British music history.”
Statue Design and Details
The sculpture will portray Gillan in full performance mode — microphone in one hand, shirt open, long hair flowing, with his signature stance that mesmerized crowds for decades. The base of the statue will include lyrics from “Highway Star” and a tribute plaque highlighting his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Deep Purple in 2016.
Acclaimed sculptor Gareth Huxley, known for the Phil Lynott statue in Dublin, has been chosen to design the piece. He described Gillan as “a dream subject — equal parts voice, fire, and soul.”
Gillan’s Response
The 79-year-old singer, still performing with Deep Purple today, issued a brief but emotional message:
“To be honored where it all began — on the streets that first echoed with the sounds of our youth — is more than I could ask for. I hope it inspires others to follow the sound in their hearts, just like I did.”
Rock Royalty in Bronze
Gillan’s statue joins a growing list of British music legends immortalized across the UK, from David Bowie in Brixton to John Lennon in Liverpool. His contribution not only to Deep Purple but to the entire genre of hard rock places him in rare company.
The Hounslow Borough Council has also announced plans to host an annual Gillan Music Festival, celebrating local talent and rock heritage, beginning in 2026.
Unveiling Ceremony
The statue will be unveiled in a public ceremony in March 2026, marking 55 years since Gillan first joined Deep Purple in 1969. Rock fans, local dignitaries, and international guests are expected to attend what promises to be a historic day for the town — and for rock music as a whole.
As the music world prepares to honor one of its most powerful voices, Hounslow reclaims its place in history — as the place where the scream that shook the world was first born.
