Rock Royalty will make its way into Buffalo, NY on Monday night August 15th as “The Voice of Rock” Glenn Hughes will take the stage at Buffalo Iron Works with special guest Joanne Shaw Taylor. The Revered rock vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes who’s unmistakable voice has resonated amid legions of vintage vinyl fans was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. Hughes has been a rock mainstay since his introduction from his first outfit in 1969 with the band Trapeze. Hughes’ contributions were recognized for his formidable presence with the band Deep Purple .
Hughes joined Purple with now Whitesnake vocalist & Co-Hall Of Fame Inductee David Coverdale for a short lived stint from 1973-1976. While only in the band for 3 records, the Funk & Soul Duo left an indelible mark with the release of “Burn” & “Stormbringer.” Both records went gold and are as much a part of the fabric of the Deep Purple legacy as any other era of the band.
Hughes’ story is one of redemption not only as a musician but as a man. If you haven’t read his autobiography titled “Deep Purple And Beyond: Scenes From The Life Of A Rock Star” it’s a must read. Hughes fall from grace was as cliché as any other tale of Rock & Roll debauchery. He was able to climb from the depths of despair with the love and support of his wife Gabrielle and the many friends who have supported him. This allowed him to stand tall at the podium this past April to accept his rightful place at in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Ross CAT: Hello Glenn, it’s a privilege to speak with you again since much has changed since our last chat during the press tour from the first Black Country Communion album in 2011.
GH: Yes, Thank You! It’s great to chat with you again Ross. It’s been far too long since I’ve been back to Buffalo, I’m so excited to get back up there and play.
Ross CAT: Fans have been excited since the tour was announced and was supposed to roll through Buffalo this past spring then was ultimately postponed until the August 15th date at Buffalo Iron Works.
GH: I know, I’m glad you brought that up. I had both knees replaced last December and was hoping I’d be ready to hit the road in March but unfortunately I wasn’t. That being said I would much rather play in front of fans, friends, and family fully loaded and ready to go which I know I am now.
Ross CAT: Congrats on the long overdue induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for both yourself and Deep Purple! Not unlike most bands, there always seems to be an air of controversy swirling around the inductions and Purple was no different. Talk about the award and what it meant to you, especially being recognized at this stage of your career while being so relevant in the industry.
GH: The induction for me is truly an honor and brought me a sense of humility for something I did all those years ago; that evening will forever humble me. David Coverdale & I came into Purple back in ’73 and “Burn” was a huge record. David and I are still very close and speak all the time. For him and me to be healthy and be able to enjoy the induction together was all we really focused on. We took the attitude to just show up and whatever happens was meant to happen. The guys were fine and did their set of songs and David and I went about our business of enjoying the night’s festivities. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame put on a great event and it went off quite well, they’ve been very gracious to me and I’ve been back since the induction with my friend Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains). Beyond all the background noise, the Hall of Fame is a grand honor for anyone who gets inducted. While controversy always seems to swell around some of those whom are bestowed this honor, as an artist it takes stepping back and recognizing all those that never had that opportunity to maybe appreciate it more, which David and I both did.
Ross CAT: Let’s delve into the new solo record you just completed at Medley Studios in Copenhagen slated for release later this year. You gave us a little 4th of July teaser on your webpage with a track called “Shine.” What can you tell us about the songs and the album title?
GH: It was a great time recording over there. I can’t really reveal the album title as we’re still working that out, the album artwork is being done as we speak. The record will be out no later than the first week of November. What I can tell you that my hard rock fans will enjoy this album. It has lots of big grooves. This is probably the heaviest rock record I’ve done in over two decades. I knew going into this project how important it would be for me as it’s my first solo record in eight years. That being said, it needed to be hands on for me in all aspects, so I wrote everything and co-produced it as well. When we came out of the sessions I really felt that I had something special and I’m extremely anxious for everyone to hear it.
Ross CAT: Tell us how Red hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith made his way behind the drum kit on the new album?
GH: I don’t know if you know this Ross but Chad Smith has been on all my solo records since 2004. There was also a bit of luck involved as the Chili Peppers happened to be touring in Copenhagen when I was laying tracks down for the album. Chad showed up at the studio with the vibe & energy he exudes like no one else I know. I’m proud to call him one of my best friends. He’s just a fun guy and is one of those rare players who can just bash the shit out of those drums and yet still have the rhythm & rhyme. I just love the guy so much I think he’ll probably be on every solo album I ever record.
Ross CAT: Fans worldwide have been clamoring for news on Black Country Communion so please let the cat out of the bag for BackstageAxxess.
GH: Absolutely! Joe Bonnamassa and I had dinner this past March. It was a lovely conversation. What people need to know is that Joe & I have never had a falling out of any kind. When BCC folded in 2012, it was simply because Joe needed to go off and create some solo music and I simply had to do the same. Social media has a tendency to speculate more than anything. I think there was just an assumption once we started to work on our own again that an internal strife had occurred when in fact that couldn’t be further from the truth. In our conversation, Joe said “wouldn’t it be wonderful to start discussing Black Country Communion Four with Kevin Shirley (producer) soon?” To which I glowingly replied “I think you’re right, that would be a really great idea” (laughter). Naturally, we’ll have to work on the logistics with Kevin Shirley, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian. Over the next few weeks Joe and I will be writing some new music and in January the four of us will get together with Kevin in Los Angeles and we’ll make Black Country Communion Four.
Ross CAT: I noticed that you did a Bryan Adams cover with Bryan himself and Billy Ray Cyrus that aired on CMT last month. I thought you might like to know that wasn’t the first taste that Country Music Fans got from “The Voice of Rock.” One of country music’s biggest touring artists Eric Church blasts the Black Country Communion song “One Last Soul” as a show intro.
GH: Wow that’s absolutely fantastic to hear! I’m such a fan of all kinds of music and talented musicians. That really makes me quite happy to hear that one of my songs inspires such a talented songwriter and musician to perform in front of his fans. Please give Eric my best and I love to catch a show one day. (Editors note: a few days later at Stage at Red Rocks, Eric Church announced there will be a 2017 world tour including a show in Los Angeles at the Staples Center on March 30, 2017 and Buffalo on April 20, 2017 so maybe Glenn will get that chance. Go to Eric Church Tourdates for more details on that.)
Ross CAT: With Black Sabbath closing out their storied touring career, what are the chances of working with Tony Iommi again? The critically acclaimed “Fused” album was absolutely amazing with Kenny Arnoff on drums. Has there been any discussion with Tony in regard to another collaboration?
GH: Tony and I get together a few times a year with our lovely wives and we always talk about that record and what could have been. It just so happened at that time of “Fused” being released, Sharon (Osbourne) starting working on the Sabbath reunion so we never really properly promoted that album. We have talked about another project together and giving “Fused” the proper introduction to a live setting. Tony is such a close friend that his health is the number one priority. Watching Tony, Ozzy and Geezer secure their legacy as Black Sabbath by closing out their storied career warms my heart. They are all like family to my wife and I. Tony and I have recorded three albums together so there is always that possibility should the stars align. That being said I’m so blessed on so many levels as a writer and musician with all the artists whom I’ve had the honor to collaborate with and call friends for a lifetime. Some of those relationships are only meant to last during a specific period of time in your life. I always knew that Deep Purple would never get back together, that it played out exactly the way it was intended. It obviously left its mark musically being recognized with our induction into the Hall of Fame and for that, I’m forever grateful.
Ross CAT: Let’s talk about the Buffalo date at Iron Works on August 15th. As mentioned earlier, this leg of the tour was rescheduled from March. What can fans expect to hear from your colossal catalog of music?
GH: What we are going to do for our friends next week at Iron Works in Buffalo (I always like to call the fans my friends) is that I try to be very respectful to my fan base when it comes to presenting my music. We are going to give them the best of Glenn Hughes from the Early 70’s until now. I’m really so proud of the band that I’m touring with that even if you don’t come to the show as a Hughes fan, we hope the live performance will make you leave a Glenn Hughes fan. Ross you really need to know I haven’t played America in so long I need to make up for lost time. I’m going to play the circuit in August and September, then I’ll come back next March & April for a 2nd leg, then September 2017 will be a 3rd leg of the U.S. tour. I love America, I’ve been living here now for forty-three years. As I said in my induction speech, I was born in the United Kingdom but my soul was born in Detroit. The East Coast is especially near and dear to my heart as it’s a hotbed of rockers. I especially remember Buffalo from the Deep Purple days. A friend once told me, “You’ve got to keep forever changing because music is the healer.” I’m still very young at heart and have an eager band who are ready to fuckin’ go off on the people of Buffalo!!!!
We would like to thank Kevin Chiaramonte of PFA Media for setting up the interview with Glenn. For more information on this show at the Buffalo Iron Works or the rest of his dates, please go to: Glenn Hughes.
