In the vast tapestry of Deep Purple’s history, vocalist Glenn Hughes shines brightly despite his relatively short three-year stint with the band. His soulful vocals and infusion of fresh ideas left an undeniable mark, rivaling even the legacy of longtime bassist Roger Glover.
Hughes’ dedication to Deep Purple extends far beyond his time as a member. His “Classic Deep Purple Live” show is a testament to his passion, bringing the band’s iconic music to new generations of fans. Currently touring Europe, he’s set to take the US by storm this September.
But before you start planning your concert outfits, here’s a special treat for Deep Purple devotees: Glenn Hughes himself is sharing his six favorite songs from his time with the band. Get ready to dive into the heart of a rock legend’s Deep Purple favorites!
“Burn” (Burn, 1974)
“Burn”, the title track from Deep Purple’s 1974 album, held a special place in Hughes’ memory. He recalled the band’s songwriting process at Clearwell Castle, where guitarist Ritchie Blackmore sparked the idea with the title itself.
Working collaboratively in the castle’s crypt, the band crafted the song in the key of G, weaving Jon Lord’s Bach-inspired instrumental with a powerful riff. Hughes described the experience as magical, resulting in a dramatic rock track unlike anything Deep Purple had done before.
“Burn” took a bold direction with its dynamic shifts, vocal harmonies, and the clear influence of classical music. For Hughes, the song became a testament to the new lineup’s potential, effectively silencing doubts about their ability to succeed. It ticked all the boxes, proving the band’s renewed energy and creative fire.
“You Can’t Do It Right (With The One You Love)” (Stormbringer, 1974)
Reflecting on Deep Purple’s 1974 album Stormbringer, Hughes shed light on the creative process behind “You Can’t Do It Right (With The One You Love)”. He revealed Blackmore’s potential disengagement from the band, suggesting Blackmore may have already been contemplating his departure.
This translated to a lack of new material, prompting Hughes, David Coverdale, and Jon Lord to step up. Together, they crafted a song that deviated significantly from Deep Purple’s established sound.
Hughes highlighted the uniqueness of “You Can’t Do It Right (With The One You Love)”, calling it a departure from the band’s typical style. He emphasized the opportunity the song presented for him and Coverdale to showcase their vocal talents through a powerful duet.
“Love Don’t Mean A Thing” (Stormbringer, 1974)
Hughes offered an interesting perspective on Deep Purple’s “Love Don’t Mean A Thing”, another favorite track from Stormbringer. While Blackmore reportedly dismissed some of their new songs as “shoeshine music”, Hughes pointed out Blackmore’s impressive contribution to the track itself.
He acknowledged Blackmore’s desire to steer the band, then known as Mk III, towards a different musical direction compared to their previous incarnation, Mk II. Whether “Stormbringer” fit that description of “shoeshine music” is debatable, but Hughes suggested Blackmore achieved his goal of sonic evolution.
However, Hughes didn’t shy away from praising the band’s overall performance on these songs, including “Love Don’t Mean A Thing”. He highlighted the musicianship on display, acknowledging their tight execution despite the potential creative friction within the band.
“Sail Away” (Burn, 1974)
Burn’s “Sail Away” was also a favorite song of Hughes. Composed early on during their recording sessions at Clearwell Castle for the 1974 album, it was likely one of the first songs written.
Hughes, coming from Trapeze–a band known for its groove-oriented sound–immediately connected with the song’s rhythmic backbone. This connection to the groove is something he still cherishes today.
Even after all these years, Hughes expressed his enduring love for “Sail Away”. He highlighted his enjoyment of both performing and recording the song. This continued enthusiasm suggests the track holds a special significance for him, perhaps a reminder of his early days with Deep Purple and the excitement of forging a new sound with the band.
“This Time Around/ Owed To A ‘G’” (Come Taste The Band, 1975)
“This Time Around/ Owed To A ‘G’” from Deep Purple’s 1975 album Come Taste The Band is another special track in Glenn Hughes’ heart. The song emerged during a spontaneous moment of creativity with Jon Lord.
With Blackmore having departed the band and replaced by Tommy Bolin, Hughes and Lord found themselves alone in the studio during the early hours. As Jon played a captivating melody, the lyrics for “This Time Around” flowed effortlessly from Hughes, seemingly out of thin air. The entire songwriting process for “This Time Around/ Owed To A ‘G’” unfolded remarkably quickly.
Within half an hour, the song was complete. Their enthusiasm was so high that they roused producer Martin Birch from his sleep to capture a demo. The song was then formally recorded the following day. Hughes cherishes this experience with Jon Lord, describing it as a “beautiful moment” that resulted in a truly special track.
“Gettin’ Tighter” (Come Taste The Band, 1975)
“Gettin’ Tighter” was born at his home, where Bolin was also residing at the time. Hughes describes a collaborative spirit, as he and Bolin crafted the track before presenting it to the rest of Deep Purple. The song resonated with the band, and it continues to hold a special significance for Hughes.
“Gettin’ Tighter”, which became a part of Come Taste The Band, is the sole Deep Purple song written by Hughes that he has consistently performed live since December 4th, 1976. This date tragically marks the passing of Tommy Bolin from a heroin overdose at the young age of 25.
Hughes’ dedication to performing the song can be seen as a powerful tribute to his friend and fellow musician.