Asked if he was upset that the group hadn't been chosen by Rock Hall voters to date - despite nominations in 2013 and 2014 - Gillan tells Rolling Stone, "Whatever you say to a question like that, you sound supercilious or dismissive or disgruntled or sour grapes. I spent all my younger life trying to avoid institutionalization as much as I could and then I realized that these sorts of things are for your family and fans. So I don't mind what happens. We're grateful for anything that comes along our way."

Gillan says he senses confusion about the inner-workings of the induction process in regards to the band's status. "I've heard quotes of somebody on the [Rock Hall voting] committee saying, 'Well, Deep Purple can't be in it, because they were a one-hit wonder'," explains the singer. "I don't know if they were referring to 'Hush' or 'Smoke On The Water' or 'Child In Time' or 'Highway Star' or 'Perfect Strangers,' any of those one hit wonders that we were.