Back In The Game: Live 1978-1982 (Box) (Uk)

Six live sets from the legendary Ian Gillan on 6CDs recorded between 1978 and 1982. With six bonus tracks. Ian Gillan is best known for fronting the classic Mk 2 line-up of Deep Purple. After quitting Deep Purple in July 1973, the singer initially began making new music with the jazz-rock of the Ian Gillan Band, before taking a more direct, hard rock direction with the band Gillan in 1978. This collection presents a generous slice of the music Gillan made and performed live between 1978 and 1982. Kicking off with Live at The Marquee 1978 (CD1), featuring long standing Gillan members John McCoy on bass and Colin Towns on keyboards, joined by guitarist Steve Byrd and drummer Pete Barnacle. With a rare guest appearance from Gillan's Deep Purple band-mate, none other than Ritchie Blackmore. Ever since Deep Purple recorded Made In Japan in 1972 Ian Gillan has enjoyed a huge amount of popularity in the Far East. In a set similar to the Marquee show, Live in Tokyo 1978 (CD2), recorded at the Shinjuku Koseinenkin Hall in Japan, captures Gillan before an appreciative Japanese crowd. By the time that Gillan released 1980's 'Glory Road', the band could comfortably sell out major venues across the UK. Now joined by Bernie Tormé on guitar and Mick Underwood on drums, the classic Gillan line-up was born and captured on 'Live at Hammersmith 1980' (CD3). Recorded while promoting 1981's 'Future Shock' album, 'Live in Aachen 1981' (CD4) was recorded at Eurogress, Aachen, Germany on 17th June 1981, and is notable for capturing Bernie Tormé's last recorded show with Gillan. Bernie Tormé was replaced in 1981 by former White Spirit and future Iron Maiden guitar-slinger, Janick Gers. Gers was a big Blackmore fan, so Deep Purple's hit single 'Black Night' was a welcome addition to the Magic tour when Gillan played Live at Glasgow's Apollo Theatre in Scotland on 6th November 1982, captured here on Live in Glasgow 1982 (CD5). Such was Gillan's appeal in the UK that by 1982's Magic, they could fill arenas at home. 'Live at Wembley 1982' (CD6) recorded at Wembley Arena, London, 17th December 1982 would be Gillan's final show, as the band would disband shortly after when the singer initially joined Black Sabbath before taking part in Deep Purple's much anticipated 1984 reunion.