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Gillan for Order of British Empire
Steve Hoare emailed us that he has started a petition to nominate Ian Gillan for the rank of the Member of the Order of British Empire. British citizens and residents can sign petition online at the Prime Minister’s web site. Deadline is March 4, 2008.
MBE rank does not entail knighthood, but is nevertheless a very prestigious award. You can read more about it at the Wikipedia.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
Ohhhhhhhhhh boy, what a pitty I can’t vote because I’m not a citizen of Britain ( I’m from Netherlands ) !!!!
May 5th, 2007 at 18:58Really, if one person deserves the MBE it IS Ian Gillan !!!!
Cheers and bottoms up. Ger Leenders, Assen, Netherlands, gerinassen@home.nl
Iam sure Ian would be aghast at the very thought of an O.B.E. Having been a fan from the age of thirteen – some 30 years ,Gillan seems to have a hatred for order and rules and empire,he is a very bright guy and altho i do not personally know him and will never claim too, i think it is against his principles-IMHO. al.
May 5th, 2007 at 21:21Ian Gillan OBE has a nice ring to it just the thing to Blackmore fuming over his cornflakes, did’nt he once have a dream to sing before the Queen maybe this time she will come to see the show 😉
May 6th, 2007 at 08:08What a load of nonsense. I love Purple but get a grip people!! Why Ian Gillan? Why would he be any more deserving than Ian Paice for example. Let’s be honest there are far more deserving people in the UK who deserve such recognition. These days there’s far too much focus on ‘celebrity’ and not on real people who devote their lives to helping others.
May 6th, 2007 at 12:52Stupid question, but why do people stop being “real” after they´ve become famous?
May 7th, 2007 at 15:44what a great idea, What about petitioning the brit awards guys to get the band a lifetime achievement award next year. When the chips are down emi knew that a dp compilation will always sell, isn’t it about time the industry repaid the band with that accolade?
May 7th, 2007 at 17:12excellent, an MBE for Mr Gillan.
May 7th, 2007 at 17:25Maybe they’ll give me an OBE-CAN-OBE ?
With so many apparently undeserving people receiving these and other awards each year I have no hesitation in nominating Ian. If celebrities are going to be chosen at all – who better than he! If you want someone else – start another petition.
May 8th, 2007 at 11:21In reply to 69, yes in the true sense of the word you’re correct but I think you knew what I meant! On another note No question is stupid but sometimes the answer can be in my experience!! To put my argument to bed if I had to name in order who if anyone deserves recognition for the Purple legacy then it would be Blackmore, Glover, Gillan, Paice, and Lord however there’s a strong case for Paice to be higher up the pecking order due to his commitment/longevity.
May 8th, 2007 at 16:21Gillan is already real. Now, let’s make him ROYAL!
May 8th, 2007 at 17:08This is rubbish. A gong for screaming for 40 years? Do me a favour, there’s plenty of service personnel that deserve something. If Gillan deserves a OBE, than Blackers should be Knighted.
May 8th, 2007 at 21:53reply to kevin, lord should be higher up blackmore might have done loads for purple but what about lords classical exploits.
May 9th, 2007 at 20:23Ian Gillan has been and still is a great ambassador for the music indusrty and for Great Britain. Yeah, sure the rest of Deep Purple are just as worthy, but Sir Tim Rice didnt achieve a knighthood soley on his own merits.
To have recognition for your talents and service to industry must be very flattering.
I hope Ian Gillan see’s it that way, and if offered this award, accepts it.
May 10th, 2007 at 13:39Jon LORD should be honored.For his contributions to music.
May 11th, 2007 at 02:04i agree with steve, arise SIR jon lord!
May 12th, 2007 at 18:07I want informartion Deep Purple, tour and album recording, thank’s
May 13th, 2007 at 15:44To many Gillan is the public face of DP.
May 14th, 2007 at 09:22The only way the band will get the recognition they deserve at this stage of there careers is by using Gillan as a figure head.
This could work if,
Gillan is interested in this kind of award.
Gillan is willing to accept the award on behalf of all members of the band.
I think we need to hear from the man himself.
I agree with Tibor. What did Gillan do to deserve this award? Drink the most whiskey? If he gets this award, then Blackmore should be made king.
May 14th, 2007 at 13:06As an rabid republican I think the british royal award system is totally crap and utterly ridiculous.If it was me, I´d tell the queen where to shove it!!!
Royal rewards has absolutely nothing to do with rock music..Rock is supposed to be rebellious,obnoxious and a slap in the face to the establishment,right?
All rock stars that accept these awards loose all credability completely(Page,May,Clapton,Jagger a.o. ! )
To all my heroes…Gillan,Coverdale,Hughes,Lord and all members of the mighty purple family…PLEASE DON´T !
May 15th, 2007 at 00:18Has anyone checked whether they’ve been offered an honour already, and said No? I think they are all equally deserving, the equality is a big part of Purple, but I can imagine that several if not all would decline it.
May 15th, 2007 at 11:24Gillan deserves this mention more than any other man in the Wolrd!!!
I heard him on the Genova show, a few days ago, and he was just AMAZING!!!
Keep on rollin’
May 16th, 2007 at 07:45I think Stefans idea that rock music should be rebillious, obnoxious, and a slap in the face…………….is just weird. Millionaire rock stars and their fans are really anarchists??? ………get a grip!!!
Surely any type of music is down to personal taste, and I certainly dont think rock music is anti-establishment!!
If Gillan were to accept this award then I am sure he would know it belongs just as much to the band as it does to him.
If people feel strongly about Blackmore………..then put his name forward.
May 16th, 2007 at 09:28I think that IG is not interested on it,I think he is a good anarchic man,he respect religions but he is not religious,he follows the political situations on over the word because is a intelligent person but He hates to make politic,he is a real good gypsy…I love him
AndreA
May 16th, 2007 at 14:20(Milan)
I don’t think anybody really gives a hoot over here about these awards anyway, although i think anyone who is acknowledged in some way for whatever they have done or achieved will always be pleased and humbled and even if they decline i think secretly they would have a smile in private.
I’ve followed Gillan since 1980, bought the music, the videos and seen him many times live and that’s 27years of enjoyment he has given me, i think i’d be one of the first to pat him on the back for that!
And not forgetting that he’s a genuine person, a real gent, he is rock royalty! =)
May 27th, 2007 at 10:58