Published: September 27, 2025
From Gillan’s controversial 2009 comments rejecting Deep Purple’s later lineups to Glenn Hughes’ revelations about their fractured relationship, the feud remains one of rock’s most enduring rifts.
Originally published on Rockum (January 17, 2009). Updated in 2025 with Glenn Hughes’ later comments.
Gillan rejects Mk III and Mk IV
In an interview with Classic Rock magazine, Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan revealed his disinterest in the band’s Mk III and Mk IV eras, showing little respect for the albums recorded during his absence. “I’m not interested in Mk III of the band, and I don’t get along with Mk IV either.”
He admitted never listening to those records:
“I’ve never heard any of the Mk III albums. What are they called? Burn and… Strongbow? (Strongbow is a cider in England). I’m not interested. It’s like watching your girlfriend with another guy.”
On Come Taste the Band (1975), Gillan said bluntly:
“I heard Come Taste the Band, and that wasn’t really Deep Purple.”
On Glenn Hughes; Gillan recognized Hughes’ talent but criticized his style:
“Glenn Hughes is one of the most talented musicians, but even today he’s still a copy of Stevie Wonder, so I don’t consider him a true member of Deep Purple.”
He added:
“Mk III and Mk IV were full of talent, but you know, you can give a football player 100 million pounds and that doesn’t necessarily make a good team.”
Glenn Hughes responds years later
Decades after those remarks, Glenn Hughes shared his own perspective. Speaking to Loudwire, Hughes revealed he has no relationship with Gillan, Roger Glover, or Ian Paice following the band’s 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.
“I will never speak to any of them again. They were rude to me… When I congratulated Ian, he looked straight through me as if I wasn’t there. I was the only sober guy in the room.”
Hughes said he had tried for 40 years to build some kind of friendship with Gillan but with no success:
“I’ve tried to make peace… but he doesn’t want to know.”
Gillan, for his part, later defended his behavior at the Hall of Fame, insisting that the band was “very kind to everyone” and suggesting that some criticism was opportunistic.
A legacy of division
The Gillan–Hughes rift underscores the enduring fractures in Deep Purple’s history. While Mk II remains the classic lineup in the eyes of many, Mk III and Mk IV produced albums like Burn, Stormbringer and Come Taste the Band that still resonate with fans worldwide.
Gillan’s sharp words in 2009 and Hughes’ bitter recollections years later confirm that, even decades on, Deep Purple’s legacy is as much about conflict as it is about music.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
