In a new interview with Scott Itter of Dr. Music, legendary vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) spoke about the status of his BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION project, also featuring guitarist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER, BILLY IDOL). He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): ”Well, we just did 10 shows in Europe and we recorded them, and it looks like there’s gonna be a live album coming early next year. And I haven’t spoken about this, but yes, we are planning on doing album number six next year too — and shows behind it.”
Hughes also mentioned a BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION live album in a separate interview with J.J. Caithcart of Different Stages Radio. Regarding what is going on with BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION at the moment, Glenn said: “Well, it’s on pause right now, ’cause we did 10 shows in Europe in June, which were fantastic. And we actually were recording the whole tour, and so we’re gonna have a live album. That’s coming early next year. And apparently there’s gonna be some shows next summer.”
Asked if those shows will take place in North America or just Europe, Hughes responded: “I hope [there will be some shows in North America]. For sure in Europe, at festivals, but I’m planning on talking to Joe and everybody about America and Canada next year, for sure.”
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION‘s recent European tour was a combination of headline shows in the Germany, The Netherlands, Austria and Czech Republic, as well as festival appearances such as Sweden Rock and Poland’s Rock Legends.
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION was touring in support of its fifth studio album, “V”, which came out in June 2024.
Since their debut in 2010, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION has delivered a series of critically acclaimed albums, each showcasing the group’s ability to fuse British blues-rock with American soul in a way that captivates audiences worldwide.
Resonating with the band’s signature fusion of hard rock and soul-stirring blues, “V” was described in a press release as “as a testament to BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION‘s growth and mutual admiration, symbolizing their commitment to producing music that is authentic, heartfelt, and reflective of their shared experiences and vast musical expertise.”
“This band allows me to embrace all of it,” commented Bonamassa. “It’s funny because the four musicians up here — everybody brings a certain thing to this that’s very specific. Every part is irreplaceable. For me, it’s about playing old-style rock guitar, loud.”
Hughes chimed in: “We make music for the five of us. We make music that we love and like, hoping it registers with everyone else. We don’t make it for record companies, or this guy or that guy.” Sherinian credited producer Kevin Shirley for keeping the band’s creative energies focused, adding, “We’ve got to give Kevin Shirley massive credit because he controls. He keeps it all flowing.”
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION‘s inception took place when Hughes and Bonamassa fused their styles on stage in Los Angeles for an explosive performance at Guitar Center‘s King Of The Blues event. With the help and guidance of Shirley, they further added to their rock lineage by recruiting Bonham and Sherinian.
In a 2017 interview, Hughes talked about the chemistry between the BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION members, especially since all the musicians have had successful careers prior to launching the group.
“This band was meant to be,” Glenn said. “It was formed out of a friendship with Joe and I. We got the [other] guys to come in, and it’s always been a strong brotherhood. And we’re just very lucky and fortunate to have met. I’ve known Jason since he was [a kid]. I just think that these four guys in this band are the right guys to play in the band.”
Hughes‘s new solo album, “Chosen”, is set for release on September 5 via Frontiers Music Srl. Two singles have been made available so far, “Voice In My Head” and the title track.
This year will see Hughes busy touring across Europe and South America, with “The Chosen Years” tour starting in Zoetermeer, Netherlands, on September 2 and ending on November 29 in Bogota, Colombia.
Glenn, 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.
Hughes first found success in the early ’70s with the band TRAPEZE before joining DEEP PURPLE in 1973 during a pivotal lineup change that introduced him and David Coverdale to the group. Despite initial skepticism, the revamped band silenced critics with the release of “Burn” (1974),a powerful album that revitalized PURPLE‘s sound and remains a classic. During this era, the band headlined the iconic California Jam in front of over 300,000 fans, toured the world aboard their private jet The Starship, and released two more studio albums, “Stormbringer” and “Come Taste The Band”, before disbanding in 1976.
Glenn‘s 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, Glenn Hughes made countless guest appearances (both credited and un-credited) as a vocalist, bass guitarist or songwriter on other artists’ albums. The endless list includes — among others — Gary Moore, John Norum and Tony Iommi of BLACK SABBATH.
Since 1992, Glenn has started a prolific solo career with a dozen studio albums where he explored all the different sides of his songwriting and influences: from hard rock to funk and more contemporary sounds. He collaborated — among others — with such musicians as Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS),Dave Navarro, John Frusciante and many others. He also founded or took part in some amazing musical alliances such as CALIFORNIA BREED (with Jason Bonham and Andrew Watt),BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION and THE DEAD DAISIES.
Glenn has collaborated with Robbie Williams on his new single “Rocket”, which was released on May 22, 2025. The track also features a collaboration from Iommi and will be the first time Glenn has been featured on a record with Tony since 2005, when they released “Fused” together.
Glenn also recently joined forces with SATCHVAI, a new collaboration by legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, by writing and singing on their new single “I Wanna Play My Guitar”.
