By Thomas Semioli

“Doesn’t everyone sniff cocaine off stripper’s bums?”

They don’t make rock stars like Glenn Hughes anymore. The rightfully proclaimed “Voice of Rock” is a world class bassist and singer-songwriter on par with Sir Paul and Sting who carved his legend with Trapeze and Deep Purple Mark III & IV.

Dig Glenn with Trapeze “Coast to Coast” https://youtu.be/ivSMRe4SUVI

Armed with a Fender and Rickenbacker 4001 –among other instruments, Glenn’s funky bass playing and soaring vocals with Deep Purple were decidedly soulful: which was one of the primary reasons Ritchie Blackmore bolted to form Rainbow.

Dig Glenn and Deep Purple at the legendary ‘74 California Jam https://youtu.be/KJ-CMPqvzQU

As such, the Purps hired Tommy Bolin and waxed one of the great lost albums of the 1970s – Come Taste The Band (1976).

Glenn’s solo catalog and collaborations are an extraordinary, groundbreaking fusion of rhythm & blues and hard rock: Play Me Out, Glenn Hughes Blues (with Tony Franklin), The Way It Is, Soul Mover, Hughes-Thrall, Tony Iommi/ Black Sabbath’s Seventh Star, and Black Country Communion, to cite a select few.  

Dig Glenn Hughes performing “Burn” with his solo band https://youtu.be/hzaGm3L0oqo

Dig Tony Senatore’s rendition of Deep Purple’s version of “Burn” with Glen Hughes https://youtu.be/XZsWolQbxp4

Dig Glenn with Trapeze “You Are The Music, We Are Just the Band” https://youtu.be/nLSVY0VS3Dg

Glenn’s autobiographical tome, penned with Joel McIver is essential reading!