Description
Gillan was the lead vocalist in the band Episode Six. After Deep Purple members Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore saw one of his performances with the band, he was later approached to replace Rod Evans in Deep Purple. Gillans first years in Deep Purple were between 1969 and 1973, appearing on such now-classic Deep Purple albums as In Rock, Fireball and Machine Head. During these years, he played the voice of Jesus on the original 1970 album recording of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webbers rock opera ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. The opera largely follows the canonical gospels' accounts of the last weeks of Jesus's life, beginning with Jesus and his followers arriving in Jerusalem and ending with the Crucifixion. Gillan was also offered the lead role in the 1973 film adaptation (Jesus Christ Superstar). Ian demanded not only to be paid for his role in the movie but insisted, without the consent of his manager, that the entire band be paid because filming would conflict with a scheduled tour. The producers declined and Ian continued on in the band. There are probably more than 15 different recordings circulating for this opera but the original is by far the best of the number of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' recordings to date. Gillan as Jesus and Head as Judas still send out the chilling and emotional vocals that started the entire phenomenom. Of course, another highlight is Yvonne Elliman, a soon to be superstar. Her renditions are priceless. This is the first and this is the best. With foldout cover and booklet Track listing: Lp 1: 1. Overture – Alan Doggett/City Of London Ensemble 2. Heaven On Their Minds – Murray Head 3. What's The Buzz/Strange Thing Mystifying – Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell/Brian Bennett/Lesley Duncan/Kay Garner 4. Everything's Alright – Yvonne Elliman/Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell/Brian Bennett/Lesley Duncan 5. This Jesus Must Die – Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell/Brian Bennett/Lesley Duncan/Kay Garner 6. Hosanna – Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell/Brian Bennett/Lesley Duncan/Kay Garner 7. Simon Zealotes/Poor Jerusalem – Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell/Brian Bennett/Lesley Duncan/Kay Garner 8. Pilate's Dream – Barry Dennen 9. The Temple – Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell/Brian Bennett/Lesley Duncan/Kay Garner 10. Everything's Alright – Yvonne Elliman/Ian Gillan 11. I Don't Know How To Love Him – Yvonne Elliman 12. Damned For All Time/Blood Money – Murray Head/Brian Keith/Victor Brox/Andrew Lloyd Webber Lp 2: 1. The Last Supper – Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell/Brian Bennett/Lesley Duncan/Kay Garner 2. Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) – Ian Gillan 3. The Arrest – Murray Head/Ian Gillan/Paul Davis/Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell 4. Peter's Denial – Annette Brox/Paul Davis/Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell/Brian Bennett 5. Pilate And Christ – Barry Dennen/Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell/Brian Bennett/Lesley Duncan 6. King Herod's Song (Try It And See) – Mike D'Abo 7. Judas' Death – Murray Head/Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell/Brian Bennett/Lesley Duncan 8. Trial Before Pilate (Including The 39 Lashes) – Barry Dennen/Victor Brox/Ian Gillan/Pat Arnold/Tony Ashton/Peter Barnfeather/Madeline Bell 9. Superstar – Murray Head/Andrew Lloyd Webber 10. Crucifixion – Ian Gillan 11. John Nineteen Forty-One – Jesus Christ Superstar