DEEP PURPLE - Who Did It Better? Ian Gillan vs. David Coverdale vs. Glenn Hughes

In this video we compare some of Rock's most iconic singers, all of whom spent a little bit of time in the Lead Vocal slot for DEEP PURPLE! Who Did It Better?
DEEP PURPLE - Who Did It Better? Ian Gillan vs. David Coverdale vs. Glenn Hughes
Deep Purple is often considered to be the pioneers of both heavy metal and modern hard rock and the band featured some of the greatest rock singers in all of rock history.
I’m going to compare Ian Gillan, David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes alongside one another and I want to hear your thoughts! Who do you think did it better? Share with me in the comments!
Ian Gillan essentially wrote the book on hard rock and we’ll examine his approach as we compare it alongside Coverdale’s who took over as frontman with little previous experience.
We’ll also look at Glenn Hughes and see where he stood in the mix as I explore his soulful, wide-ranging voice and what he added to the band.
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• Deep Purple - Perfect ...
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#DeepPurple #WhoDidItBetter #IanGillan #DavidCoverdale #GlennHughes #KenTamplinVocalAcademy

[@kentamplin]

Ronnie James Dio's version of "Mistreated". Hard to top. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3PGgqqBe9-hqZI

[@burakdeveci2442]

That is the top notch. Can you react to sailing ships whitesnake unplugged and maybe make a cover? That particular song has a different sound from the other songs of coverdale i think.

[@jeffschielka7845]

Incredible!😎

[@kikiki4592]

For me, and I am a unbashed Kotzen fan boy, his version of Strange Kind of Women (with Brian Tichy also to note on the skins) is hard to top also. kzbin.info/www/bejne/apK5paCApJWfjtE

[@lennyrocillo8839]

R.I.P. Ronnie james Dio. , masterful performance

[@sarty23]

Very much so!

[@edub1961]

No doubt Ian Gillan. Coverdale is a great singer, and Glenn is amazing. But Gillan set the way to sing this style of rock. His live performances in his early years with Purple are second to none

[@purplemaniaca1172]

No hay dudas,Gillan es la voz de Purple🔥

[@zanatural]

you said early .. back in the early seventies he could sing, he has been average since.

[@ghost_z17_08]

Although Ian is not as roaring as back then, He IS the LITERAL voice of Deep Purple. MKII with Lord, Paice, Blackmore, Glover and Gillan is in my opinion THE one and only real Deep Purple

[@vesselinkirilov3772]

Аgree he is unique,but Gillan converted deep purple in Ian Gilan band😢

[@49spinoza]

​@@ghost_z17_08. Naaa. A mí no me gustan los maullidos de gato asustado de Gillan.

[@Iaminsaneone]

Ian Gillan is the voice of Purple, Coverdale and Hughes have fantastic voices, but Gillan is the first name you think of when Deep Purple are mentioned. That Child In Time, live performance, in 1971, in front of a seated studio audience, is the best live performance ever.

[@daisy180709]

This !!! exactly

[@markblank5674]

My favorite song.

[@molianorasmadi4588]

Yes.. Gillan nailed it❤

[@tiborkovacs4827]

That'd be Ritchie.

[@freddafox6265]

Ian of course!!!

[@Ledyba165]

To me, Deep Purple without Ian Gillan isn't Deep Purple. They are all great, but Ian Gillan is by far my favourite.

[@biacampbell676]

AGREED!

[@rockonileva]

To me, Deep Purple without Ian isn't Deep Purple, despiye Ian being my least favourite of the 3. He's simply iconic

[@thierrygerard4228]

David coverdale IS also one legend of deep purple...for me both are awesome

[@johnlackey1244]

Ian Gillan is incomparable.

[@aschule5684]

Ian Gillan is a vocal GOD that is in a league of his own, his screams were epic, "yeah yeah yeah space trucking" I get chills every time I hear it " amazing,, love Ian!

[@peteroehl673]

No one can sing and scream like Ian Gillan period. Pavarotti asked Gillan to sing with him, what does that tell you! Also Gillans screaming on the Black Sabbath song Born Again was incredible!! And that was the first album he did after having surgery on his vocal chords. At the time they weren’t even sure he would sing again. Gillan is the greatest!!!!

[@ny7294]

They are all legendary singers , but for Purple Ian is my favorite

[@Stargazer-px7fw]

Same here :)

[@bennyventura4286]

The power, accent and feelIng - IAN GILLAN!

[@cherylnewland6538]

I saw him in Jesus Christ Superstar and Cried he was So Amazing 🔥 💖

[@ronnienose8608]

@@cherylnewland6538 As Ian has stated, he never performed the role on stage or in the film version. He recorded the original album in 1970 but he was too busy with Purple to do anything more than that, and he made much more money with the band than he could with JCS. He was asked to do the film, but he said that it would have meant the four other members of Purple having to wait around for months while he did the film, so he turned it down.

[@kacemkafi1455]

IAN GILLAN IS THE VOICE OF PURPLE . the highway star, the ranges of his voice is mindblowing

[@Harald_Reindl]

Replace "is" with "was" given how sad it is that he wrecked his voice 40 years ago and only the legend of the early 70s and that the others still can play their instruments keeps the band alive

[@christo6765]

@@Harald_Reindl He s really not doing too badly today...

[@lindabergman3127]

Agreed100 👍

[@ilzev9594]

No doubts, Ian Gillan is the one. He is not just a singing, he is putting the soul in each word, each note. This is what makes him unique.

[@robgerhardterellen1488]

Ian Gillan for me is Child in Time with his incredible head voice, by far the best hard rock/ metalsong ever made in rock history.

[@smokin714]

I inherited Deep Purple In Rock from my great uncle who passed away when I was a sophomore in highschool. I was absolutely blown away by his performance on the whole album and have been a Deep Purple fan ever since. His voice in Child in Time is insane and the screams he does are haunting.

[@Reyajh]

I usually hate to say, by far the best or my absolute favorite, things like that but in this case, I have to agree 100%.

[@MilesAnastasios87]

A bit..borrowed but still a classic song and an incredible performance.

[@Metalkorpse]

YES! Child in Time has the greatest vocals from Deep Purple, best song ever!

[@buzzer1961]

I remember hearing Ian Gillan singing Child in time, at the Edinburgh Playhouse in March 1987, on the House of blue light tour, and feeling blessed !!

[@tipofthespear7182]

I got into Deep Purple right at the beginning and to me Ian Gillan is Deep Purple . Child in Time . Smoke on the water everything he did was masterful.

[@hazelradcliffe9580]

Without a shadow of a doubt...Ian Gillan, there is only one singer for Deep Purple and only one Ian Gillan 💜 🎶

[@derekneville8175]

I remember walking out of a whitesnake concert 10 minutes in. Never walked out on a gillan gig. Gillan just had a uniqueness.

[@nickbrambilla3015]

Ian Gillian by far the best in purple :)

[@dean828]

Gillan... Ian despises his name spelled wrong.

[@LostMyMojo100]

Gillan is my favorite... David and Glen are great but Ian's voice was incredible!!! Even now, even though he doesn't have the pipes that he used to, I love his phrasing... Gillan hands down! And Child In Time is just eye (and ear) popping!!! Just the Made In Japan album cemented his legacy!

[@christo6765]

now your getting to the point. A lot of Purple shows though contained a lot of BS in their improv. Great writing, great musicianship but too much nonsense in the live shows.

[@lindabergman3127]

Agreed100

[@fortiterinresuaviterinmodo5549]

In my humble opinion Gillan has a distinctly hard rock and metal voice, Coverdale blues rock and Hughes funk rock.

[@daveanderson4060]

Ian Gillan always loved his voice

[@FrankTheDoomriderJohansen]

Even if I prefer Ian Gillan with his tone and screams, Coverdale combined with Hughes was still amazing!

[@user-pc4bq1ov6c]

Jon Lord said: “Ian Gillan is the one and only voice for Deep Purple. It’s a magic.” Ritchie Blackmore interview 1994 after leaving Deep Purple… he said: “Ian Gillan is like a glue, he is putting things together. Ian has a strong identity. His singing is different even today, I think still is. You always know it’s Ian Gillan singing.” By the way, Ritchie said that MK3 lineup never was his favorite.

[@Stargazer-px7fw]

Ritchie said a lot of things… In other interviews he slammed Ian Gillan. He was never happy with him or anyone else as a matter of fact. He for instance let go of the great Graham Bonnet (later in Rainbow) because of his haircut…But still, he was the driving force in Deep Purple. God bless him.

[@j_freed]

Every performer has a favourite version of the band they performed in… So that’s cool.

[@bennyventura4286]

Listen to what Jon Lord and Ritchie's statement - they know what they are talking about, ,

[@SNOWYSHAWOFFICIAL]

I agree. Personally except for a few occasions like Soldier of Fortune I never liked Coverdale and can't understand for the world why they didn't go with Glenn as sole lead singer in Mark III.

[@ronnienose8608]

@@SNOWYSHAWOFFICIAL Ritchie preferred David's bluesy voece over Glenn's. Ritchie originally wanted Prul Rodgers in the band so David makes sense. There were times when Glenn was given more vocals live and it was a mixed bag. He'd have a section during Smoke On The Water where Jon Lord played some backing and Glenn would improvise, and it was bloody terrible!

[@yesman9721]

Ian Gillan is the GOAT, imo

[@kentamplin]

Indeed! 🐐

[@jerrywoods4066]

@@kentamplin Ritchie always had my favorite singers ian, Ronnie ,Joe Lynn turner ,and Coverdale hughrs

[@tedstone5934]

Gillan is tops for me. Ian Gillan's voice was like a fifth instrument. His range, style, and delivery cemented Purple as one of the true pioneers of hard rock/prog metal. Coverdale and Hughes are incredible singers, no doubt, but they're a step behind.

[@duhduh666]

The David Coverdale song from Deep Purple is Soldier of Fortune. His singing is so soulful heartfelt. His voice is so rich, it’s like velvet that was aged in oak.

[@Stargazer-px7fw]

Agree! Soldier Of Fortune is of my favorite DP songs.

[@cherylnewland6538]

Very Well Said! Right On for Sure 💖

[@michellebedard6933]

Coverdale sounds like Robert plant from led Zeppelin

[@JMK65]

Yes, you're right!

[@charlesbarnett6988]

Truthfully Deep Purple hired Glenn Hughes to play bass and sing but they wanted a front man so they hired Coverdale to be the front man, and if truth were to be told David Coverdale was not capable of singing Ian Gillan's songs without the help of Glenn Hughes. Ian Gillen is by far the best vocalist that Deep Purple had, and Ronnie James Dio is by far the best vocalist that Rainbow had and you can't mix the two because they're not the same band.

[@mikebunch5553]

When Ian was younger, like in the Made in Japan, he could belt them out. He lost some if his abilities, but I still love that album till this day, every now and then still get chills.

[@mikecappello8678]

Saw Gillian in 72 at the Long Island Arena and he killed it. DP fan for life.

[@Weichhase]

No Deep Purple without Gillan - Gillan is the best

[@kittoybig]

I agree.

[@GeeVanderplas]

Saw both Whitesnake and Glenn Hughes at the same festival in 2019, and man, while Glenn's voice has remained as powerful as ever, David was really struggling and kinda painful to listen to at times. Glenn did an amazing show singing mostly DP songs, it's crazy how good he still is.

[@LUckybones25]

Glen is phenomenal.. he hasn’t lost a thing.

[@grobbler1]

Gillan established the legend, Coverdale and Hughes had to sing Gillan's songs, but Gillan never had to sing theirs.

[@Nordicroo]

He didn't want to and couldn't have done them justice as Coverdale and Hughes were different and complimented each other.

[@ianmartens5286]

Glenn Hughes is a force of nature! No one does it like Glenn!! Ian Gillan is the forerunner and wrote the book. Obviously Coverdale is a beast too. They're all epic singers!

[@asiermoya1361]

What an AMAZING trio. Gillan-Coverdale-Hughes… just WOW!

[@reinaldoalves9038]

From 70-73: Ian Gillan was the King in my book. I think it is hard to beat him...MADE IN JAPAN performance is out of this world ! He is the best one and set precedent. Coverdale improved in Whitesnake and for ballads, he is better than Gillan. Glenn is phenomenal. Not to say, JLT is a good singer, not for Purple in my book though. The 70s produced the beat generations of singers and players I would say, at least for me...

[@robiandolo]

And that includes Plant and Ozzy, as great as they are / were!

[@GoaltoGo]

I'm partial to Ian myself. Especially as he got older and started to play with Morse on the live version of when a blind man cries.. when I think of a professional singer I think of him

[@kevinlangley9644]

Im partial to ian myself but the others are good

[@LostMyMojo100]

"when I think of a professional singer I think of him".... Perfect analogy!

[@christo6765]

Absolutely love his verse in Jon s concerto of 1969!

[@blakkat4126]

Ian Gillian…no one else really came close.

[@TheKenorocK]

Deep Purple is Gillan and Gillan is Deep Purple for all time 😉

[@arturoalmazan5262]

In Deep Purple no doubt the best ever was Ian Gillan. David Coverdale is truly a legend too. his Whitesnake, band always has made great albums. Glenn Hughes had some good vocal range too 🤘

[@irmawesterback2930]

One and only Ian Gillan.

[@faustofama]

Gillan é a alma do Deep Purple. Incomparável.

[@dontrushme2112]

I Love them all but Ian Gillan to me is far and away the best all around. David's voice really came into his own in Whitesnake.

[@AGDinCA]

I've loved every singer Deep Purple has ever had, in part because they each contributed their own unique chapter to the Deep Purple story. And, as far as I am concerned, Deep Purple is not just a band - they are an anthology of rock experiences. 🤘💜

[@jasonbrown9731]

Well said.

[@arnoldcox9128]

Ian Gilian had a haunting voice, Glenn Hughes is massively underrated I really need to check out more from his career and of course I love David Coverdale's voice one of the best rock voices ever ❤

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

In his prime Ian Gillan is by far not just the best Deep Purple singer, but one of the best singers of all time. Sadly he blew out his voice after touring with Black Sabbath in 82 and was never the same. Glenn Hughes can sing anything Ian Gillan can in his prime, and is still in incredible singing shape with the side bands he's done throughout the decades. David Coverdale is awesome, but Glenn supported him in Purple because he could never really hit those high wails. His bluesy voice has held up very well too. Ian and Glenn are near equals IMO, with David in a tier below, but still with a legendary voice.

[@superbug1977]

Well said.

[@paulmahon1613]

Dude, Gillan's voice has fallen off, but it wasn't the stint with Sabbath that was a tipping point. I saw them in 1985 on the Perfect Strangers your in Lakeland and Gillan was absolutely fantastic. No pitchiness, and just loud and powerful. Glenn Hughes is a 71-year-old walking, talking, singing and screaming human masterpiece. Dude still has mega pipes.

[@AnthonyStJames]

Ah, but in Whitesnake thru 1989, Coverdale did cover the high register too for effect when needed.

[@kalitta9991]

Very good choice. Deep Purple👑 Ian Gillan is definitely better. Being a good,perfect vocalist is very difficult.Good vocals require a lot. Thank you so much Ken.💫👍 Excellent analysis. Rock on👑🤘🎸

[@garyh.238]

Great video Ken! The Big 3 Purple singers! Each of them has their charms, each are amazing singers for whom I have the greatest respect - love them all. For my money, Gillan was probably the most versatile in terms of styles and with the greatest range, moving from his natural baritone up to very high tenor with excellent control, especially at his peak from the 1969 to 1973 era.

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for listening!

[@KsiNixNie]

Ian Gillan hands down. Yes, Child in Time is epic, and defined what hard rock singing was about. But listen to Ian Gillan on Demon's Eye, or No One Came: he really knows how to interpret lyrics and convey the meaning. Smoke on the Water is indeed a simple song, but Gillan's interpretation is just unparalleled. he really brings a lot of soul to hard rock.

[@SvenGoldberg]

They are all great, but Ian has a very unique and special voice and will always be the voice of DP for me.

[@zivkdusan]

Coverdale's voice was tremendously powerful and mighty, he was freaking hurricane.

[@DaisyAnnabelle6]

YES!

[@maongkala7598]

I can't make a decision. DP is a tough one.I love each and every voice of them.But Gillan's vocal range was among the best. I love his powerful vocal and iconic scream of 'child in time'.

[@bennyventura4286]

I'm with you. Mark2 is the definitive lineup. .

[@rickleblanc8900]

His vocals from Deep Purple In Rock all the way to Who Do We Think We Are can't be beat imho

[@stephanteboul598]

Deep Purple without Ian is not Deep Purple. Dave Coverdale is pretty good in White Snake but not great. That's my opinion.

[@christo6765]

Ian s crooner voice is even more infectious but we didnt get enough of it!

[@tanianikolaou7518]

Of course all of them are legends but when I think of deep purple the one and only singer in my mind is Ian!!His voice is like milk and honey and gives sweetness to rock wildness!!

[@katesjanice]

All 3 were terrific, but I've always loved Coverdale. However, I can never forget Gillan's Broadway performance of Jesus Christ Superstar. I thought it was magnificent and still listen to it often these days. So although I love all 3, the tip of the hat goes to Ian.

[@jgsrhythm100]

Ian Gillian with Black Sabbath," Born Again" check out the unmixed demos and the previously unreleased track " The Fallen ". His best vocal work ever!!

[@superbug1977]

Ian Gillan is one-of-a-kind. I remember as a young teen listening to Purple songs on eight-track in the cars of my older friends. Everyone owned Machine Head; and I think it was just better music and more powerful singing then had been done before. Glenn Hughes has a superb voice, and durability as it turns out. Coverdale? He stepped into some big shoes with Purple. Not sure that worked.

[@maggiemay70]

Ian Gillan is incomparable! Such great natural talent. David Coverdale is a great Rock N Roll singer (belter) as well. Love them both.

[@stefanreiman3527]

In my opinion Gillan is the perfect singer for deep purple.hard choice coverdale and hughes were awesome.but they are totally different vocalists .all 3 are the best of the Best

[@MaxxManson]

No question for me, its Gillan. Ill never forget the Fireball Tour concert 1972 in my hometown in Europe 👍❤️

[@steveramirez8270]

Ian Gillan was beyond these other guys...Coverdale grew and is has richness in his bottom end vocals

[@jameshook1862]

When God heard Ian sing, He gave up his singing lessons.... Love this channel, it is Always awsome, thanks for always making it wurth to watch!

[@asiermoya1361]

I just can’t decide, all of them, at their peak, are gods.

[@Stargazer-px7fw]

Exactly!

[@ponytrekker8996]

For me nobody could touch Ian Gillan in his prime..The year touring and putting out the new album in 1983 with Black Sabbath.. he screamed his balls off.. and then after that he had surgery on his throat to remove nodes and that’s what his voice sounded like on the highway star version from 1984 perfect strangers reunion.. you should also check out his work with the Ian Gillan gillan band.. a much different style of singing.

[@cynpalmer60]

Coverdale is my overall pick. I love his blues sound. I have been a fan since DP. Your versions of his songs are fantastic. I do have to agree Dio did Mistreated best!

[@shushutany6034]

No doubt they are all great singers !!! But Ian Gillan is truly innovative, unpredictable and like no other!!! He’s got a really exciting and unique singing style while Coverdale and Hughes are traditional rock/blues/soul singers and are predictable!!!

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Ken! Now we're talking. Deep Purple is one the greats. As you know we grew up on bands like DP. Awesome band in concert! For me Ian is the voice of Deep Purple. My albums eventually all replaced by cds get played regularly. Besides for YESSONGS, MADE IN JAPAN is probably the greatest live album of all time. It's one of those albums that you just have to listen to it in its entirety every time. Great vid Ken, DP definitely rock and was so happy that they finally made it into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame! Long overdue, well deserved!

[@mikemccabe2509]

Ian without a doubt is my favorite, and I leave the "best" issue up to those that know singing to decide. With Perfect Strangers, A Touch Away, Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming, Ian's phrasing and versatility were masterful displays of virtuosity, at least to my ear. The other two are no less beautiful artists, indeed, but this is a DP story, right???

[@christo6765]

and the concerto of 1969.

[@johnmattebo8006]

I also like Ian best. His live performances are absolutely amazing. David is great too. His lower range is wonderful. Glenn is a great singer, but for me, I get a little tired of his screaming. But Glenns singing on John Norums "Face the truth" is so great.

[@RobertWeingher]

Ian gillan was the voice of deep purple, gillan was already a great singer when he joined DP, coverdale became a great vocalist only after his surgery prior to the 1987 album and hughes became a great vocalist since his comeback album in 1994 called from now on..., he became the voice of rock and in my humble opinion was the best rock vocalist till 2012, his best live show was in 2012, i was there, it was at tel-aviv, he did crazy stuff with his voice to show the crowd why he's been called the voice of rock, but only gillan left his mark on a deep purple albums as a vocalist, deep purple in rock, machine head and perfect strangers are great albums with the best vocals and they belong to gillan, so gillan was and still is the voice of DP, coverdale and hughes did great albums as vocalists but outside of deep purple, on the deep purple albums they sang good but nothing more.

[@kenjohnson604]

Blackmore really knew how to pick a singer. Without question, my favorite 4 singers in the history of rock music are Coverdale, Hughes, Gillan, and Ronnie James Dio. They are all simply incredible and certainly considered legends. My favorite singer singer since I became a serious fan of music has been David Coverdale. No one has a voice like that...just like the other 3, but I've always considered Coverdale the greatest singer of all time. He's lost it now, while Hughes is some sort of freak of nature that keeps getting better. They are all gods in my book. I would not argue with anyone who chooses the other ones because it's just a matter of personal taste, but the world of rock music as we know it today would not be the same without their collective contributions and influence. It's just amazing to me that 3 of the 4 greatest singers came from the same band, and Dio was with Blackmore as well. Take your pick...they're all right and you can't go wrong with any of them, but Coverdale is my personal favorite.

[@karlimo4034]

And then he knew how to pick them apart and drive them crazy.

[@richardpableo2925]

All of them are really legends when it comes to rock music . But for my own personal opinion it' s Gillan because when i was only 17 years old i have that album Deepest Purple : the Best of Deep Purple and Machine Head , and most of the songs there were done by the Mark ll wherein Ian Gillan was their vocalist. It was already the 80's when I start listening to rock music and i didn' t even knew Coverdale was from Deep Purple coz it was already White Snake in the 80's . I love White Snake, but for Purple... It's Gillan for me .

[@fembotheather3785]

Gillan voiced my favorite eras of Purple. They're all good, but for me Gillan will always be what Deep Purple sounds like.

[@MarkBennett007]

Thank you Ken for time on this…….. really appreciate the defining. And clarifying .

[@webersjw1]

For those who haven’t heard Glenn in Black Country Communion: Killer vocals, killer band! First two albums are my favorite rock albums in the last 10 years… Joe is awesome on these as well

[@American_King]

Can't go wrong with any of these guys they are all authentic rock singers who influenced so many artist they are all amazing C'mon Ken

[@kentamplin]

Well said!

[@andrescarrasco1248]

the answer is simple: Ian>David>Glenn>Ian, each one was better than everyone else and everyone else was better than everyone else, Deep Purple is perfect period

[@TheChadTI]

It's so hard (for me) to figure out what qualifiers to even assess this with when you have talent of this level under review.

[@captainkona]

Absolutely agree. I love Dave Coverdale but Gillian was right for the sound the band always had and has to this day. Glenn Hughes was great on Iommi's 7th Star, but will never be in the same class as Ian and Dave. We forgot Jon Evans. Maybe it's for the best. 😏

[@luistresdeprintslazar7978]

I like all the "Purple marks"...But Ian got the perfect trilogy records ...Fireball/in rock/Machine...also Perfects strangers can add...incredible Lps with Ian voice!

[@markwherry7676]

I grew up with Deep Purple in the 70s. Ian Gillian's role in Deep Purple is supreme. His recorded performance of "Garden Of Gethsemane" from Jesus Christ Superstar is considered to be "Wagnerian" in terms of difficulty for singers, regardless of genre. In his prime, Ian Gillian could not be matched...That said, Coverdale's career with incredible with "Whitesnake" in 80's was exceptional...Honestly, I lost track of Glenn Hughes after DP broke up, but I was blown away with Glenn's voice in the tribute concert to Jon Lord. He's still got the "scream" on Burn in what I have to believe is his seventies! That is amazing! Truly amazing!!! Rock on, brothers!

[@brendaromaine2064]

Well said. 🎼🎸🎼

[@aaronpolston1973]

I gotta go with David Coverdale, he's just got the soulfulness the others can't match. Funny enough I was watching a Shout video the other day and thought "Ken's got some Coverdale in him"...and Joey Tempests' hair. Keep up the tremendous work

[@user-sh3vz3ol3j]

I would say they are all very different but Gillan was/is the face of Purple. Really looking forward to your video analysis for the FIVE singers of Rainbow, now that one has diversity. I'm not sure if you've covered this topic before but as an idea, how about a comparison series on vocalists who have been in the industry for decades and analyze their evolution? Regardless, loving your vibe man, take care!

[@anthonygodwin4718]

I totally agree and I think a great singer for that would be Steve Walsh from Kansas. His voice has been through so many changes throughout the years it would be awesome to see an analysis on him.

[@feanorian21maglor38]

Ian Gillan is the voice of Deep Purple, his voice has the greatest range including emotional range, and DP Mark II is the most classic sound of the band- but I agree the others were great singers too, and many of their songs are amazing.

[@hmk8996]

Gillan in his prime was untouchable. He had everything.

[@Dragonfire1x]

2:55 Bless you. It's hard to separate them. All were amazing gods. But when I think of deep purple it's Ian Gillan for me. Bu in the one instance of "mistreated" Dio triumphs them all. Well when Dio is in the picture it's impossible to go with anything else. But still all three of them are phenomenal.

[@vitoriaformaggine8158]

Ian gillan is always my choice but i love Glenn too, he gives me chills ever time. But... Theres no way, Ian is definitely the voice

[@sandydority2532]

Ian was my favourite, no contest,, But David& Glenn were good too. When I think of Deep Purple, it's Ian, Jon& Richie for me. 🎸🎤

[@christo6765]

The vote goes to Gillan of course. But that said, these guys are so different. Each having their own unique and infectious tonality and style. And when it comes to writting, each chooses lyric and vocabulary that fits their individual style. And at times it just does not sound good when someone else tries to sing the same material. For example, i dont think Gillan would sound at all as well as Coverdale in covering Mistreated. Likewise, Coverdale sounds absolutely rediculous singing Smoke On The Water etc etc. Here 's another. Who could ever sing a Tull tune unless they sounded like Ian Anderson?

[@shmujew4791]

ian gillan was the boss ... see them playing with the london symphony orchestra , its just phenomenal

[@hugomartinho2555]

I really like and respect Ian, but teaming up Coverdale and Glenn was a brilliant move on Richie's behalf. Glenn is just out of this world, it's really a shame that his addiction problems didn't allowed him to have a more "stable" career. He is still killer on the Dead Daisies with Doug Aldrich. Cheers.

[@stefanreiman3527]

Richie and John Lord were Deep Purple they founded this Awesome Band

[@DMSProduktions]

HAVE you heard his work with Joe Bonamassa in Black Country Communion?

[@danielmacdonald8349]

Actually I believe that Glenn Hughes being in basically a drug coma for 20-25 years has played to his benefit. Being so unreliable he was really unable to tour all those years - so while Ian Gillan and David Coverdale were belting it out every night Glenn was not. Hence, while still very respectable singers the fact is they cannot hit the same notes they did back in the day. However, Glenn Hughes got to save his voice and sounds just as good - maybe even better right now - then he did in the past. Just my opinion.

[@ronnienose8608]

@@danielmacdonald8349 I agree. Glenn did very little for many years and therefore never wore his voice out. Interestingly, even now Glenn's voice isn't the most durable because he always has a night off betwen shows, he struggles to even just do two shows in a row. In Purple he had to adhere to their touring schedule and some live recordings show him to be struggling because of this.

[@antonionovi1706]

Deep Purple voice is Ian Gillan and no doubts about that. For may personal taste and also considering the quality and power of the voice that he still own now, Glenn Hughes is my favorite. He can sing any style at any tune and the voice still is the same of when he was 20.

[@glenncollado1251]

Gillian all the way, however for the albums David did can't be beat except for Mistreated Dio was incredible N.B.L ✝️❤🎤🥁👌🎶🙏

[@user-yj4qx4rr3s]

Ian Gillan is the best rock vocalist, no doubt!

[@evehosgood]

I have always had a bit of a crush on David 🙈😂 But Ian singing child in time will never be matched in my opinion.

[@peterreimerMannaufderBank]

"Burn" and "Stormbringer" are "my" Deep Purple albums. I like it most, when Coverdale and Hughes battle - one of my all time favorite songs in Rock History, also with a big impact for me as a rock-guitarist is "Lay Down, Stay Down". I don't want to decide or choose or prefer one of these great men. Ian Gillan did great performances too. But to have two great singers in one band like the Mark III - setup....Jesus, this was some kind of musical heaven, when I was in my teen age 🙂

[@morethen9000]

I always thought Ian Gillan recorded JCS after entering Deep Purple, I even heard Andrew Lloyd called him because he was impressed by the child in time performance.

[@DeepPurpleOL]

He did. Sir Tim Rice and ALW hired Ian after hearing an, by then, unreleased Child In Time (who wouldn't be impressed by that). So yes, you're right.

[@mateokesselman]

The other persons blasting Ian were Jon Lord ( what a magician), Roger Glover and the one and only Ian Paice. No one have ever sound like Ian Gillan he will always be like un padre para todos nosotros.

[@gregorykenfield3134]

I would give Glenn Hughes the "teflon vocal chords" award...his voice has not diminished in the slightest over the years. But Ian Gillan did it best, no question. Coverdale is a distant third.

[@Thomas-cx6cb]

They were both unique singers. You couldn´t and still cannot replace one with the other. Nobody should ever - into all eternity - be allowed to sing Child in Time except Ian Gillan. And nobody -into all eternity - should be allowed to sing Mistreated except David Coverdale - no, not even the late Ronnie James Dio. LoL. I always had hard times listening to David singing Ians songs. Ian - as far as I remember never bothered to sing Davids songs.

[@Goran_Varbanov]

I can say this: Ian Gillan is the voice of Deep Purple! Both David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes are great singers, but none of them can sing like Ian Gillan! Ian Gillan in his prime easily blow them out of the water! In fact I think that Ian Gillan in his prime is untouchable!

[@CreamySpoon]

I've always preferred the low, bluesy tones of Coverdale vs his shouty screams. His blues voice is so deep and warm, like caramel. I can do without his higher stuff.

[@GorditoCrunch343]

Glenn Hughes is easily the most accomplished singer in DP. Give him a genre and he will sing it to perfection. No limitations on that guy, and his voice has held up to this day.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Well i think in the bottom register , singing coverdale stuff . It lacks something . Sail away , stormbringer . That very greasy growl , depth to it . On Burn and lady double dealer he s great , and his own songs . But tenors rarely made Coverdale justice .

[@onsesejoo2605]

He even sang for house / ambient / dance group KLF the song "America What Time Is Love ?"

[@WilliamsDad1989]

@@Nissardpertugiu I agree. His voice isn't suited for everything and anything. And, Hellraiser Gordon obviously hasn't heard Gillan's catalog of music, or he'd know that Gillan can and did stuff in from many different genres.

[@jerrywoods4066]

Gillan.

[@Stargazer-px7fw]

@@jerrywoods4066 Can you imagine Gillan singing Burn or Might Just Take Your Life? I don’t. Different style and different vocalists 😉. But I get you, Gillan was in his prime untouchable.

[@ToddPriestMaidenCrue-dk5nm]

David Coverdale is in my personal top 5 as far as lead singers go, but Ian Gillan was THE voice of Deep Purple. Coverdale did an amazing job, as did Glenn Hughes, but Gillan's vocal talents fit perfectly with Deep Purple's sound.

[@elizabethmontes6839]

You are spot on! I had a blast watching this! 😄

[@heavy6161]

1972 alignment made the distinctive seal of the band. And I think the performance in "made in Japan" is sublime in every instrument and Ian Gillan was there. I don't believe in who's better or worst. Audience always want to listen that alignment for any reason but unfortunately Blackmore is a very difficult guy and impossible to work with him. Ian Gillan imposed the seal!

[@rithulshelan1167]

I absolutely love Coverdale and Glenn, They're amazing but I like their post-Purple era more. In my opinion Gillan is the best for Deep Purple.

[@cimmeriabastardsword]

Love this series when you compare the great legends. Keep it up Ken!🤟🔥🎸

[@akent6393]

Ian Gillan is the OG and you can never go wrong with the OG but i have discovered Glenn Hughes and OMG!!! The man is 72 and 🔥🔥! Amazing!