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.
Holy Man
Glenn Hughes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To give me a line
She said, Boy what have you done
Passing your time with a holy man
Talking of the moon and sun
But I can't tell the difference
Between the fool and wise
Show me a river to follow
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been pickin' up my bones too long
Won't you understand
Called to the Captain
To put me ashore
For it looked like no man's land
Is this the way to follow
I cried as I shook his hand
He told me he had no answer
He didn't really hold the key
I am a simple man
Was all he said to me
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been pickin' up my bones too long
Won't you understand
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been pickin' up my bones too long
Won't you understand
The lyrics of Glenn Hughes's song "Holy Man" tell the story of a lost soul seeking guidance from those around him, but finding no real answers. He starts off by turning to Madonna, seeking a sign or a message from her that would help him make sense of his life. Instead, she asks what he has been doing with a holy man, who is only talking to him about the moon and sun without providing any real guidance. The singer is frustrated as he can't tell the difference between a fool and a wise person, and longs for someone to lead him away from all the lies he has been told.
The singer then seeks out a captain to guide him to safety, but the captain has no answers for him either. He finds himself lost and unable to find a path forward. The singer's mother is heard crying, calling his name and whispering in the dark night, but even she offers no real answers. The singer claims to be a holy man, but as the song progresses, it becomes clear that he is anything but - he is just as lost and searching as the people he is seeking guidance from.
This song speaks to the universal human struggle of finding purpose and direction in life, as well as the frustration of seeking help from those around us only to find no real answers. It is a poignant reminder that sometimes we have to rely on ourselves to find our way.
Line by Line Meaning
Called to Madonna
Addressed my plea to someone in power or a higher authority
To give me a line
To give me guidance, advice or a message
She said boy what have you done
She questioned the decisions I have made so far
Passing your time with a holy man
I have been seeking wisdom and guidance from someone supposedly holy or wise
Talking about the moon and sun
Discussing abstract concepts of light and dark, good and evil, and what is beyond human understanding
But I can't tell the difference
I cannot distinguish between what is folly and what is wisdom
Between the fool and wise
Between someone who is knowledgeable, sensible or experienced versus someone who is ignorant, foolish or inexperienced
Show me a river to follow
Show me the way towards enlightenment, peace or fulfillment
Away from all these lies
Away from all these delusions, misconceptions or falsehoods
I've been on my own so long
I have been isolated, independent or lonely for a long time
Won't you lend me your hand
Can't you give me your support, guidance or help?
I've been picking up my bones too long
I have been trying to survive or recover for a long time
Won't you understand
Can't you empathize, sympathize or connect with me?
Called to the captain
Beseeched someone in charge, capable or knowledgeable
To put me ashore
To find me a place to stay, reside or belong
For it looked like no man's land
Because it appeared to be barren or foreign territory, inhospitable and uncharted
Is this the way to follow
I am questioning if this is the right path or direction to take
I cried as I shook his hand
I showed my emotion or vulnerability while shaking his hand, as a sign of respect or gratitude
He told me had no answer
He stated that he did not have the solution, resolution or insight
He didn't really hold the key
He did not possess the knowledge, power or authority to unlock my problems or struggles
I am a simple man
I am a regular, ordinary or humble person
Heard my mother crying
I could sense or perceive my mother's distress or agony
She was calling out my name
She was seeking my presence, attention or help
Whisper in the dark night
A secret or subtle expression of regret, longing or fear
Saying who's to blame
Asking the question of who is responsible, accountable or guilty
The hour glass keeps turning
The clock keeps ticking or time keeps moving, fleeting and inevitable
With not enough sand to see
With not enough time, resources or information to make a proper decision or judgment
I am a holy man
I am a religious, spiritual or enlightened person
So don't you bother me
So do not disturb, annoy or irritate me
I've been on the road so long
I have been traveling, journeying or searching for a long time
Won't you lend me your hand
Can't you offer me your guidance, assistance or support?
I've been out in the cold too long
I have been exposed, vulnerable or forgotten for a long time
Won't you understand?
Can't you comprehend, perceive or appreciate the situation that I am in?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: David Coverdale, Jon Lord, Glenn William Hughes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind