Ian Gillan – August 2012 Classic Rock Birthdays

Ian Gillan, the lyricist and vocalist of Deep Purple, turns 67 on Aug. 19. Gillan was recruited by Jon Lord (R.I.P.) and Ritchie Blackmore to replace Rod Evans in Deep Purple -- where he settled in as the vocalist from 1969 to 1973. After a decade away, he rejoined the group in early 1984 and remains with the group to this day.

Aside from Deep Purple, Ian sang on Black Sabbath's 1983 album 'Born Again,' and has recently teamed up with Tony Iommi under the Who Cares? banner.

A star-studded Deep Purple tribute album, 'Re-Machined: A Tribute to 'Machine Head,' has just been announced -- kind of a nice birthday gift, right?