During a conversation with Ultimate Classic Rock, Ian Gillan mentioned the upcoming Deep Purple tour title, ”YES, “=1 More Time”, suggesting that the group is not yet ready to retire.
Asked how close the end of the road is for him, as he is celebrating 79 years old, the singer replied:
“Well, you know what?! It was only recently that I heard somebody mention (the tour name). I’d never heard that before. I’d never even spoken to anybody about it. No one asked me. That’s rubbish.
”That’s not the name of the tour. I think the tour is called ”Unleashed”. Not that it matters; it’s a Deep Purple tour and we’re happy and whatever. But to answer your question: it is what it is.
”As soon as you start feeling unable to deliver at that level, of course, you adjust, of course, you adapt and make do the best you can. But when the energy level goes, that’s time to stop because then it gets embarrassing and nobody wants that. But so far, so good. I think that’s a much better title than what you just said.”