Glenn Hughes

Glenn Hughes is a UK rock bassist and vocalist from Cannock, England, born in 1951. He is sometimes known as The Voice of Rock and is associated with hard rock, classic rock, heavy metal, blue-eyed soul, blues rock, funk and funk rock. His voice is a central feature of his work, combining elements of rock, soul and funk.

Early career and Deep Purple

Hughes first finds major success with Trapeze, where he plays bass and sings. In 1973 he joins Deep Purple, appearing in the Mk. III and Mk. IV line-ups alongside Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Ian Paice and David Coverdale. The band releases Burn in 1974, followed by Stormbringer and Come Taste the Band, before splitting in 1976. During this period Deep Purple headlines California Jam in 1974 and tours internationally on the band’s own jet, The Starship.

Solo work and collaborations

After moving to Los Angeles, Hughes releases his first solo album, Play Me Out, in 1977. He later forms Hughes/Thrall with guitarist Pat Thrall, issuing a self-titled album in 1982. Over the following years he makes numerous guest appearances as a vocalist, bassist and songwriter on other artists’ records. He is also credited on Black Sabbath’s Seventh Star and is identified as Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi. He later continues his association with Tony Iommi through a further studio album.

Black Sabbath and later projects

Hughes briefly fronts Black Sabbath in the mid-1980s. He also works with the KLF, who feature him on the single America: What Time Is Love and give him the nickname The Voice of Rock. His projects also include Phenomena, Voodoo Hill, The Finders Keepers and Michael Men Project.

Black Country Communion and other bands

In 2010 Hughes begins recording and touring with Black Country Communion, the supergroup he forms with Joe Bonamassa, Derek Sherinian and Jason Bonham. The band’s debut album reaches number 13 in the UK album chart and number one in the UK rock album chart. Its second album, 2, follows in 2011, and Live Over Europe is issued afterwards. The group later wins Classic Rock’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year award. Hughes also works in California Breed and the Hughes Turner Project.

Later solo activity and recognition

Hughes tours widely in Europe, Japan, South America, Russia and elsewhere in support of solo albums including 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, Music For The Divine and First Underground Nuclear Kitchen. Soul Mover is recorded with drummer Chad Smith, a collaboration that continues from the live DVD Soulfully Live in the City of Angels. He appears at festivals, at the Classic Rock Awards, and at the ChildLine charity concert in London, where he performs Deep Purple material with Ian Paice. In 2011 he publishes his autobiography. He receives the ChildLine Award at Classic Rock’s Roll of Honour in 2010.

Style and background

Hughes grows up hearing early British hard rock, the Beatles, American soul and R&B, along with the Motown sound from Detroit and the Stax/Volt catalogue from Memphis. That mix shapes his singing and playing style, which sits between hard rock, soul, funk and blues-based rock.