Hughes has carved a distinctive vocal 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, Hughes' 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 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 album Music For The Divine in 2006, 2007 saw Hughes 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 Hughes headline at festival appearances in France and Norway. Hughes 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 Hughes 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 Hughes' 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, Hughes 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 Hughes' live on air performance on the USA radio show Rockline, and his first appearance in New Zealand since 1975 with Deep Purple, when Hughes brought the house down at the G-Taranaki Festival in July.
Hughes' album, the 2008 release "First Underground Nuclear Kitchen"
Chad Smith again plays out of his skin on the drums, and Hughes 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 Hughes' 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, The Black Crowes, Jimmy Page and Robert 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.
Hughes 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.
Hughes 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 Hughes 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. Hughes 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 Hughes dominated album of the three, with many of the songs written solely by Glenn.
2013 saw Hughes embarking on some exciting new projects, with the best yet to come from this most eclectic, talented and inspired musician and songwriter.
Black Light
Glenn Hughes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down in the western sky line
But you're out of focus
In every way you design
The crux of the matter
You've taken the life of my friend
Her dreams you did shatter
You always wanted to be right
You never wanted to stay
You are a soul burnin' too bright
Your guardian angel did say
Into the black light, you will go
Into the black light, you will know
I hope you can hear me
You lie alone in your cell
And you never be free
You live in your own private hell
I know Johnny Lennon, is watching the curse of your fate
There's too many people
Too frightened to speak
Of your hate
You are a soul burnin' too bright
Your guardian angel did say
Into the black light, you will go
Into the black light, you will know
You always wanted to be right
You never wanted to stay
You are a soul burnin' too bright
Your guardian angel did say
Into the black light, you will go
Into the black light, you will know
Into the black light, you will go
The lyrics of Glenn Hughes song, Black Light, seems to be directed towards someone who has caused harm, possibly even death, to a mutual friend of the singer. The lyrics talk about how this person is out of focus and has taken the life of their friend, leaving their dreams shattered. The person is deemed to be in their own private hell, living in a cell and never being free.
The singer seems to be aware of the person's psychological struggles and refers to the individual as a soul that is burning too bright. The lyrics suggest that the person did not want to stay behind but wanted to be right about something. The singer believes that this person will eventually meet their end and will be lost in a black light. The singer even mentions that Johnny Lennon may be watching this person's destiny unfold.
The lyrics convey deep feelings of anger, pain, and grief for a lost friend who the singer seems to have loved deeply. The song seems to be an emotional outcry for justice while directing a warning to the person who caused so much harm to their friend. Overall, the song is a powerful statement about the serious consequences of taking someone's life and causing harm to others.
Line by Line Meaning
You fly with the locust
You follow the crowd, even if it leads to destruction and chaos.
Down in the western sky line
You are a part of the western society and culture.
But you're out of focus
You lack clarity and direction in your life.
In every way you design
You are responsible for the choices you make and how they shape your life.
The crux of the matter
The most important point or issue at hand.
You've taken the life of my friend
You have caused harm and pain to someone I care about.
Her dreams you did shatter
You destroyed her hopes and aspirations.
They're takin' you down to the end
You will face the consequences of your actions.
You always wanted to be right
You prioritize being correct over relationships and empathy.
You never wanted to stay
You are always on the move, not committing to anyone or anything.
You are a soul burnin' too bright
You are constantly seeking attention and validation.
Your guardian angel did say
Someone is looking out for you, but you refuse to listen.
Into the black light, you will go
You will face the consequences of your actions and have to confront the darkness within you.
Into the black light, you will know
You will finally understand the impact of your choices and behavior.
I hope you can hear me
I want you to take responsibility for your actions and change your ways.
You lie alone in your cell
You are imprisoned by your own choices and actions.
And you never be free
You will not be able to escape the consequences of your actions.
You live in your own private hell
Your guilt and remorse make your life a living nightmare.
I know Johnny Lennon, is watching the curse of your fate
The legacy of those who have been wronged by you will not be forgotten and will follow you.
There's too many people
Many people are aware of your wrongdoing.
Too frightened to speak
People are scared to confront you or speak out against you.
Of your hate
Your behavior is fueled by hatred and negativity.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLENN HUGHES, GLENN WILLIAM HUGHES, JOAKIM KURT MARSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
c hansen
That funky bass line is great for the home bound 👍
MrDoomlink
What a great blast. Wonderful Song
tony c
glenn is full of soul,gotta love him.him and coverdale were awesome with purple
Diamond Dust
From the master himself Glen Hughes
Karl J.
Really hope Glenn goes on to work on more solo stuff with JJ and Chad Smith again...Much better than BCC and California Breed in my opinion.
Hawkeye
+splon114 Absolutely... His music here is HONEST... he's able to show his soul and funk influences much more (the music he really feels and loves) combined with modern rock. I love these records. BCC and California Breed are only orientated to satisfy the traditional rock fans. Are they good? Of course they are... but not brilliant as Glenn's solo recent works (or "Fused" an amazing metal album with Iommi which will be considered a classic in the future)