Ian Gillan's highly anticipated Talking Gib'rish Tour won't just see the rock icon sharing extraordinary stories from a lifetime in music. As we all know, rock 'n' roll comes in many forms...and Ian's rich, colourful life has taken him far beyond the stage.

Here's today's little-known 'Va Va Vroom' fact...

Did you know Ian is a passionate motorcycle enthusiast? His love of two wheels ran so deep that he once owned his own motorcycle company.

In 1975, Ian launched Mantis Motorcycles, turning a lifelong passion into a business. Reflecting on those pioneering days, Ian recalls:

"We'd work on machines until about 3 am, ending up with a couple of production Norton 750 Commandos and a bored-out 997... Mike (Egglington) built a special frame for that, made from Reynolds tubing, and welded it together in a criss-cross pattern that was state of the art. It was brilliant!"

Mantis Motorcycles opened showrooms in both Bristol and Edinburgh, marking what Ian describes as a fantastic and unforgettable chapter in his life.

Of course, motorcycles are just one fascinating strand in an extraordinary career spanning more than 65 years. With his unmistakable voice, Ian has inspired generations of fans around the world. From his early days with The Javelins, through his unforgettable performance in Jesus Christ Superstar, and on to Deep Purple, Gillan, Garth Rockett and the Moonshiners, and Repo Depo, his musical journey is firmly etched into rock history.

Now, Talking Gib'rish offers something truly special: a rare opportunity to hear those remarkable stories directly from Ian himself, witty, insightful, candid and wonderfully unfiltered. The songs made him a legend, but the stories promise to be every bit as unforgettable.

So thank you, Mr Gillan, for inviting us all to experience the colour, humour and glorious gib'rish of a remarkable life on the Talking Gib'rish Tour in Spring 2027.

We are revved up and ready in the saddle to hear every word!

The UK tour will begin in April 2027 and continue throughout May. Tickets are on sale now and available from BookingsDirect.com and the venues. Information and further announcements are available via the gillan.com website.

Picture credit: Simon Fowler

Notes to Editors

-Ian Gillan was born on 19 August 1945 in Hounslow. Renowned for his instantly recognisable voice and dynamic stage presence, he has built an extraordinary career as both a singer and songwriter, becoming one of the defining voices in rock music history.

-Over the course of his remarkable career, Ian has recorded more than 79 studio albums along with countless live recordings, including the legendary Made in Japan, widely regarded as one of the greatest live albums ever made. Deep Purple’s latest album, SPLAT!, was released on July 3rd 2026.

-A recipient of honours including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Grammy Hall of Fame award and the Ivor Novello International Award, Ian Gillan’s global record sales have now exceeded 200 million copies.

-To read more go to the Gillan website at gillan.com

- For information & images please contact Fran at Rabbit Attack PR: info@rabbitattackpr.com or on 07895184395