Sometimes, even rock legends can be the last to know when their music shows up in modern pop culture. That was exactly the case for Ian Gillan, the longtime frontman of Deep Purple, when one of the band’s most famous songs appeared in the promotional material for Stranger Things.
In early 2025, fans noticed that “Child in Time,” Deep Purple’s powerful and emotional track from 1970, was used in a trailer for the fifth and final season of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things. For many viewers, the song felt like a perfect match for the show’s dark and dramatic tone. But surprisingly, Ian Gillan himself had no idea this had happened.
When asked about it in a recent interview with Classic Rock magazine, Gillan’s response was honest and simple: he didn’t know what the interviewer was talking about. The reason? Gillan doesn’t watch television and doesn’t have Netflix. In fact, he doesn’t even own a TV. So the idea that his voice was being heard by millions of viewers around the world through a popular streaming show came as a genuine surprise.
This moment highlights something interesting about today’s world. While classic rock continues to find new audiences through films, TV shows, and streaming platforms, the artists who created that music often live far away from modern media trends. Gillan’s reaction wasn’t negative or dismissive — it was simply real. He was amused that something he helped create decades ago was still relevant today, even if he didn’t see it himself.
Stranger Things has a strong history of bringing classic songs back into the spotlight. Previous seasons helped revive interest in older tracks, introducing them to younger listeners who might not normally explore classic rock. Because of that, Deep Purple’s inclusion felt natural to fans of both the band and the show. Still, the fact that Gillan found out through an interview — rather than watching the trailer — made the story even more memorable.
During the interview, Gillan also spoke openly about aging and how time changes both life and creativity. Now 80 years old, he explained that growing older is something everyone experiences, whether they want to or not. When he was young, his songwriting focused on fast living and classic rock-and-roll themes. As the years passed, his interests shifted toward more unusual and thoughtful ideas.
Gillan didn’t shy away from discussing physical challenges either. He revealed that he has lost a large portion of his eyesight and can no longer do many of the athletic things he once could. Still, he approaches these changes with humor. He joked that the main difference between now and his younger days is that he can’t pole vault anymore. For Gillan, keeping a sense of humor has been key to continuing forward.
Despite these challenges, Gillan remains musically active and still tours with Deep Purple. He made it clear that he only plans to stop performing if he feels he no longer has the energy to give audiences a good show. He doesn’t want to continue just for the sake of it — he wants his performances to mean something.
The appearance of “Child in Time” in Stranger Things is another reminder of Deep Purple’s lasting impact. More than 50 years after the song was released, it continues to resonate with listeners across generations. Even if Ian Gillan doesn’t follow modern streaming culture, his music clearly does.
In the end, this story isn’t just about a song in a TV show. It’s about how great music can outlive trends, technology, and even the awareness of its creators — continuing to find new ears long after it was first recorded.