Glenn Hughes

Vocalist/bass guitarist/songwriter Glenn Hughes is a true original. No other rock musician has carved such a distinctive style blending the finest elements of hard rock, soul and funk. That astonishing voice is Hughes' calling card. He's known as a singer's singer: in fact, Stevie Wonder once called Hughes his favorite white singer.

Hughes, a native of Cannock, England, absorbed all kinds of influences, including early British hard rock, the Beatles and, most importantly, American soul and R&B. The sleek Motown sound from Detroit and the gritty Stax/Volt sound from Memphis left their mark on him.

The first important band Hughes was a member of that achieved notable success was Trapeze, while in 1973 he joined one of the most popular bands in the world, Deep Purple. The trailblazing hard-rock legends had just weathered the departure of vocalist Ian Gillan and bass guitarist Roger Glover, but guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice continued with the addition of Hughes and David Coverdale. Any skepticism was squelched with the 1974 release of Burn. This stunning album rejuvenated the band and stands tall among Deep Purple classics.

In the halcyon days, Purple headlined at the famous California Jam in 1974 in front of quarter of a million people. World tours via Purple's own jet plane, 'The Starship' and two more studio albums later, (the Hughes influenced Stormbringer and Come Taste the Band), Deep Purple finally split in 1976.

Now living in Los Angeles, Glenn's first solo album Play Me Out was released in 1977. He joined former Pat Travers guitarist Pat Thrall to form Hughes/Thrall, which released an acclaimed self-titled album in 1982. Throughout the '80s and '90s, Hughes made countless guest appearances (both credited and un-credited) as a vocalist, bass guitarist or songwriter on other artists' albums, in particular he appeared on the vastly underrated Seventh Star, was officially credited as 'Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi'. Hughes and Iommi remained friends and in the past few years they have released one brand new studio album together.

More commercial recognition came when the KLF dubbed Glenn Hughes 'The Voice of Rock', proudly featuring him on their international best selling hit single America- What Time is Love'

Since 1992, Hughes has toured extensively in Europe, Japan and South America in support of solo albums such as Blues, From Now On..., Feel, Addiction, The Way It Is, Return Of Crystal Karma, Building The Machine, Songs In The Key Of Rock, Soul Mover and Music For The Divine.

Soul Mover saw the continuation of the successful creative partnership with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith that began with Glenn's live DVD Soulfully Live in the City of Angels (2004). Soul Mover was voted 12th best album of the year by highly influential UK magazine CLASSIC ROCK.

After the release of his last studio album, the successful Music For The Divine in 2006, 2007 saw Glenn make successful tours of Russia, South America, Italy, Norway and Spain, along with solo dates in London - at the prestigious Shepherds Bush Empire - Bulgaria and Greece. 2007 also saw Glenn headline at festival appearances in France and Norway. Glenn also took part in the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in New York, which was highly successful and he also appeared as a guest presenter at the Classic Rock Awards in both 2006 and 2007. Another highlight of a diverse and colorful year were the 2 sold out solo shows at the famous Whisky in Los Angeles and BB King's in New York.

2008 saw Glenn undertake another extensive European tour; including a month long trek across Russia, festival appearances, and his first live shows in Belarus, Estonia and Romania. Another highlight was Glenn?s appearance in London at the Childline Charity concert in March 2008 where he performed a short set of Deep Purple classics with Purple drummer Ian Paice. This was particularly poignant as it was the first time the pair had played together since the Purple days. Ironically, in June 2008, Glenn played in Liverpool, England for the first time in over 30 years; a triumphant and emotional return to the city where Deep Purple Mark IV played their final ever concert before disbanding in 1976.

Other highlights of 2008 include Glenn?s live on air performance on the USA radio show Rockline, and his first appearance in New Zealand since 1975 with Deep Purple, when Glenn brought the house down at the G-Taranaki Festival in July.

Glenn's most current studio album, the 2008 release "First Underground Nuclear Kitchen" is the latest chapter in an extraordinary musical evolution, and is quite possibly the most compelling and positive musical statement in a distinguished career already abundant with highlights and milestones.

Chad Smith again plays out of his skin on the drums, and Glenn has rarely - if ever - sounded more inspired, written with such grace, or sung with more passion.

Another world jaunt accompanied the release, carrying on into 2009 with tours of Europe, Russia, South America and selected shows in the States including sell out shows in LA and NYC.

2010 was one of the most exciting and prolific years in Glenn's career as it saw him recording and touring in a new supergroup project, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION with guitar star Joe Bonamassa, keyboard player Derek Sherinian (Dream Theatre) and drummer Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin legend John Bonham. The band released their debut album on September 20th, 2010. The album went to #13 in the Official UK Album Chart and #1 in the Official UK Rock Album Chart. Produced and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Black Crowes, Page and Plant, Journey etc), this is yet another world-class musical statement that raises the bar for rock singing.

In November 2010, Hughes was awarded the ChildLine Award at Classic Rock's Roll of Honour.

Glenn and BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION released their second album, "2", in 2011, followed shortly afterwards, by their debut live tour encompassing the USA, UK and Europe. Their third release, "LIVE OVER EUROPE", recorded live while on the European leg of their debut tour, reached the Top 5 spot world-wide with releases on DVD, CD, Blu-ray and Vinyl.

Glenn had his AUTOBIOGRAPHY published in 2011, in both hard and soft cover editions. The Number 1 best seller is available at all good retailers, both online and at traditional brick & mortar stores!

In November 2011, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION won the prestigious Classic Rock Breakthrough Artist of the Year award at the Classic Rock Awards in London, with Glenn collecting the award on behalf of the band.

2012 saw Glenn touring Russia as a solo artist and also South America as a member of the Rock and Roll AllStars, featuring his good friends Gene Simmons, Matt Sorum, and Joe Elliot amongst others. Glenn also did solo shows and guest appearances in the UK, Israel, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, China and Armenia but his main focus in 2012 was the writing, recording and press promotion for the third BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION album, "AFTERGLOW". Released worldwide in late October 2012, and again produced by Kevin Shirley, the album was another huge success for the band, and is possibly the most Glenn dominated album of the three, with many of the songs written solely by Glenn.

In late 2013 he formed a new band called CALIFORNIA BREED with drummer Jason Bonham and guitarist Andrew Watt and in May 2014, the band released their debut self-titled album, followed by Autumn tour dates in the USA (w/ Alter Bridge), Russia, Europe and UK (w/ SLASH).

2015 focused on his solo career after the disappointment of the last couple of rounds with band projects. Sold out crowds were the order of the day, while touring non-stop throughout the second half of the year, with shows in South America, Europe, UK, Japan and Singapore.

In addition, late in 2015, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame based in the USA, announced that DEEP PURPLE including MKIII, are finally to be inducted after several previous nominations over the years!

2016 was his busiest year yet, with Summer festivals & solo shows in the USA, UK and Europe, in addition, it saw the release of his first solo album in over 8 years! "Resonate" is a triumphant return to form for "The Voice of Rock", from album opener, "Heavy", to the very last chords of the closer, "Long Time Gone", making it the 'Album of the Year' for many and a true Glenn Hughes landmark release.

2017 kicked off with the triumphant return of a reunited BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, who immediately entered a studio in Los Angeles to record their fourth album. Soon after it was straight back to the UK and Europe to begin his solo tour in support of "Resonate". Upon his return home, Glenn was once again in a Los Angeles studio, this time with his pal, CHAD SMITH (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and guitar virtuoso, JOE SATRIANI (Chickenfoot, Deep Purple), to record the latter's latest solo instrumental album. It would see Glenn record an album where he only plays bass guitar... no vocals! In late Spring, a visit to Australia and New Zealand ensued with the The Music of Cream 50th Anniversary Tour which also featured MALCOME BRUCE (Jack Bruce's son), KOFI BAKER (Ginger Baker's son) and WILL JOHNS (Eric Clapton's nephew). After a Summer of festival solo performances, the Autumn heralded the long-awaited release of the fourth album by BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, simply titled, "BCCIV", which received a rapturous welcome from fans and press alike, with many naming it their 'Album of the Year'. Soon afterwards, a return trip to Australia and New Zealand saw Glenn introduce his GLENN HUGHES PERFORMS CLASSIC DEEP PURPLE LIVE touring production, which received tumultuous reviews from both fans and the media with sold out shows across the continent, resulting in the planning of more of these very special performances around the world over the coming months.

2018 began with BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION playing 2 exclusive live sold out shows in the UK and within just a few days, the worldwide release of Glenn's performance on the JOE SATRIANI album, "What Happens Next". The remainder of 2018 and into 2019 saw the return of Glenn's live touring production, GLENN HUGHES PERFORMS CLASSIC DEEP PURPLE LIVE, with shows across the USA, UK, Europe and beyond! In late Summer of 2019, it was announced that Glenn joined THE DEAD DAISIES, on lead vocals and bass guitar, joining guitarists Doug Aldrich, David Lowy and drummer Deen Castronovo. The Australian based collective of musicians have included John Corabi, Marco Mendoza, Richard Fortus, Dizzy Reed, Frank Ferrer, Darryl Jones, Tommy Clufetos, Charley Drayton and Jon Stevens amongst others.

The band didn't waste any time upon Glenn's arrival and have a new album recorded by Producer, Ben Grosse at La Fabrique Studio in the South of France, boasting: "The best is yet to come".

2020 kicked off with the THE DEAD DAISIES debut album featuring Glenn, "Holy Ground", produced by Ben Grosse at La Fabrique Studio in the South of France. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, touring plans were put on hold for the year.

2021 saw THE DEAD DAISIES featuring Glenn return to the live stage with shows in Europe, USA and UK.

2022 saw the release of the second album from THE DEAD DAISIES featuring Glenn, "Radiance", once again produced by Ben Grosse, this time at The Mix Room in North Hollywood, California, USA. Live shows soon followed throughout Europe, USA and UK.

2023 saw Glenn return to his GLENN HUGHES PERFORMS CLASSIC DEEP PURPLE LIVE production, with shows in Europe, USA, UK and Latin America.

2024 sees Glenn return to his GLENN HUGHES PERFORMS CLASSIC DEEP PURPLE LIVE production, with shows planned in USA and Europe with more to be announced. In addition, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION will re-group and see their fifth album released in the first half of the year.

So make no mistake. The Voice of Rock never left the building.