Page 68 - Classic Rock (January 2020)

“THERE’S

NO WIZARD OF OZ

BEHIND THE CURTAIN

WITH ME”

Glenn Hughes, the Voice Of Rock, on living in the moment, beating his demons,

the challenges of a vegan Christmas, and how he’ll be “going global” in 2020.

Interview: Henry Yates Portrait: Joby Sessions

sk Glenn Hughes if he’s clinically and still, for me, the best new rock band in the Did Black Country go as you expected?
hyperactive, and the veteran last ten years. Years ago, I was hosting a party in When I started working with Joe, he said to me,
foghorn gives a chuckle of Hollywood, and these two fellas come up to me, very calmly: “My career is built around my solo
admission. In the past 12 months and it was Scott [Holiday] and Jay [Buchanan] career.” So we all knew going in that we had to
A alone, the 68-year-old has put in with their Pressure & Time CD. I didn’t know who keep ourselves busy while Joe was doing his
another shift that would give lesser road warriors they were, but I didn’t even have to hear the wonderful solo work. I just think – as a lot of
cold sweats, with his Classic Deep Purple Live music before I played it on my radio show. I just people think – that if Black Country Communion
itinerary taking him deep into Europe and across the looked at their faces and I’m thinking: “These had been a band that was always working for at
States. The tour ties a bow on a triumphant – and dudes look serious.” So I put it on, and I went: least six months of the year, it would have been
occasionally tumultuous – decade in which Hughes “Wfft. I was right!” different. But it was never meant to be that way.
has chalked California Breed, Black Country All I can say is that there’s only love in that camp.
Communion and more on to his chaotic résumé. What are the best and worst things about living We are dear and best friends, and I wouldn’t have
in this moment in time? it any other way.
How has 2019 been for you? Well, I live in a country where I don’t think the
I’ve never been so busy. I’ve had another long president is the right guy, but… It’s a dark time What are your hopes and fears for 2020?
year with the Classic Deep Purple Live shows, on our planet right now. And I choose to be happy. I have zero fear of 2020. I’ve joined forces with
performed by yours truly. Come Taste The Band, I bring something into that room that needs to the Dead Daisies, and we’re going to the South of
Stormbringer, Burn – those are three magical pieces be brought. That’s the love factor. People can talk France in the next few weeks to start the album.
of music. If you go on to YouTube, you can check about me all they want, but if you know me and We’ve already done a couple of songs. So I’m
any era you like, and I’ve never going to put that at the top of the
‘phoned in’ these songs. But lately list next year. I think we’re on to
I think I’ve honoured the legacy something special. The new music
more than ever. “Before I started speaking to you, I was is something special to hear, and
a different Glenn. I believe I’m growing what we have planned is the next
You still seem happiest when you’re level. We’re gonna be going global,
on stage. every hour, becoming somebody else.” literally. This band is pulling out all
I love to make records. I write the stops. It’s another opportunity
literally five days a week. But if you’ve seen me sing you’ve met me, all I care about is bringing love into for me to shed another layer of skin, show people
live, that’s who I am. I was born to sing. What you every venue I go to. You won’t see any loud, Jack who I am, again. Because every year, I become this
see with Glenn Hughes live is very honest. There’s Daniel’s-drinking, swearing dude up there. That’s other Glenn.
no Wizard Of Oz behind the curtain with me. not who I am, never was. Before I started speaking
I have no fear up there. When I come off the stage, to you, I was a different Glenn. I believe I’m Honestly, were there times when you thought you
I’m liable to trip on the first step. But when I’m up growing every hour, becoming somebody else. wouldn’t make it to 2019?
there on the deck, it’s where I’m supposed to be. When I got sober, all those years ago, I changed
Myself and my manager thought this summer was Most people will remember this last decade of your my life completely. And the last few decades, I’ve
the best series of Glenn shows I’ve done in decades. career for Black Country Communion. Are you been crazily honouring my health. I’ve taken
Something happened to me this year, and it’s all proud of that band? some time this decade to take care of myself. I’ve
‘inner’ stuff, not ‘outer’. I wasn’t thinking about the Joe [Bonamassa] and I put Black Country together got everything I need, if I just live in the present.
past or future. If people were there at those shows, overnight, and it was a beautiful experience. Getting older, what you have to realise is that,
they saw someone who was in the moment. What I’d like people to do for me, before the end look, we’re all gonna die. Life is too short, so live
of the year, if they wouldn’t mind, is play each each day.
Which is your rock album of the year? song in order from those four Black Country
My friends Rival Sons have always delivered, and records. Because when you play all those songs What’s Christmas like at Glenn Hughes’s house?
I think the last one [Feral Roots] is a magnificent back-to-back, it’s all right there in front of you. It’s My wife and I are vegan. It’s difficult. But there’s
piece of music. They’re neighbours of mine, a beautiful thing. a lot of great faux-meats here in LA now.

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