In a interview with NME, Deep Purple’s legendary vocalist Ian Gillan was asked if he listen to any new bands and explained why he doesn’t listen them.
He said:
“No, i steer clear of all that. And for a good reason.”
“When I was in my formative years, I rejected Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, and Dean Martin. I now realize they were all great artists but at the time as a young man, you have to clear the decks. There’s this sort of psychological vandalism that takes place for yourself.
“I’m in that position now. I need to step aside. My uncle was a jazz pianist, and I remember that when we did [1970’s] ‘Deep Purple In Rock’ he ran from the room screaming, saying, ‘I can’t hear anything, I can’t hear any instruments.’
“I was rubbing my hands, going, ‘Great.’ I had upset the previous generation and a man I respect highly. I don’t think it’s right to pass comment.”
Ian Gillan also gave an advice to any young bands out there:
“The only advice I can give is to absorb as much as you can from as wide a spectrum as you can. If you’re in a rock band and only soak up Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple kind of beginnings then you’re not going to have much leeway.
“We soaked up everything from Beethoven to Chopin to Jimi Hendrix to Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. If you do that then it will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life.”
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