Glenn Hughes
April 18, 2019
Atlanta, GA
Center Stage Theater
At 45 years old (as of this story), I’ve seen so many legendary musicians just pass us by for the other side. We’ve lost Ronnie James Dio, we have Judas Priest’s Glenn Tipton battling Parkinson’s disease, and we lost Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell to depression/suicide. My heroes are not getting any younger so it’s been my mission to catch as many legendary performers as I can while they’re still alive. Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden; these are all bands that while still on top of their game could very well leave us at any point in the near future. This is why it was my desire to see the legendary Glenn Hughes.
Deep Purple was a band that I never really got into but late in my mid 30’s, my buddy Chris told me, “Man, if you don’t like Deep Purple, I get it but you need to Deep Purple Mark III and IV.” He knew that I’m a huge Coverdale so I took his word and gave them a spin. Hearing Burn, Stormbringer, and Come Taste the Band absolutely changed my life but it was the voice of Glenn Hughes that completely blew my mind. That voice. If you’re a fan, you know what I’m talking about. All I could do was hope to someday see him live.
Since then, I backtracked on his solo career, Trapeze, and even his Black Country Communion stuff. Unfortunately, he never ended up in Atlanta while Chris saw him a zillion times in Virginia. Well, the planets finally aligned and Glenn was finally coming back to Atlanta after what seemed like a lifetime and this was a show I was not going to miss.
Glenn is out on the road for his Glenn Hughes Plays the Music of Deep Purple tour and I was absolutely beside myself day of the show. The audience at Center Stage Theater was just as I imagined it would be: mostly big, older men; some with long hair and some with none at all donning Deep Purple shirts and poorly made Glenn Hughes bootlegged shirts. The vibe was definitely a good one I could tell this was going to be a special show.
With no shitty opening act to have to sit through, Hughes cut straight to the chase. The house lights went down and over the PA various newscasts and what were all playing and then all of the sudden, the voice of his former partner in crime Jon Lord says, “Ladies and gentlemen, Glenn Hughes.” Glenn took to the stage and without wasting any time kicked right into “Stormbringer” which had everyone going crazy.
For the next hour and a half, Glenn Hughes and his amazing band would deliver a set full of deep cuts from his time in Deep Purple such as “High Ball Shooter”, “Getting Tighter”, and “Sail Away.” Hughes really brought his game on “You Keep On Moving” which is such a soulful slow burn kinda song hitting those high notes like they were there for his taking without strain or struggle. That song was just so muddy and heavy yet at the same time had this way of making me feel like I was drifting. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Hughes was from the deep south.
All through the night, Hughes expressed his gratitude to the fans for sticking with him and in a very hippie way kept letting us all know that we were in his heart and that we were all friends. Some may find this super cheesy but for a guy who spent the bulk of his life as an addict and probably out of it, the man is definitely gracious and appreciative to not just be alive to have a fan base that still comes out and supports him. I personally felt it moving and at times found myself tearing up.
The evening was also sprinkled with some great storytelling from Hughes. He talked of his love for former Deep Purple guitarist Tommy Bolin and how much he loved collaborating with both him and Whitesnake vocalist David Coverdale. He even talked about the dark period in his life where he lived in Atlanta and expressed much gratitude for welcoming him back to what he referred to his “second home.” The highlight of the show without a doubt was “Holy Man” which even Hughes himself choked up in the middle of. While I have always loved this song, there was something about this live version that grabbed me by the throat and choked me up in a way that rarely, if ever, happens.
Hughes’ band is without a doubt top notch. Guitarist Soren Anderson plays with so much soul and he really channels the spirit of both Richie Blackmore and the late, great Tommy Bolin and did so with ease. This guy has more feel in his pinky nail that that stiff as a nail Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse. Keyboardist Mike Mangan hit those keys so close to Jon Lord’s style and drummer Ash Sheehan rounded out the band nicely. The only thing I could’ve done without was Escobedo’s “sticks n’ tricks” drum solo. I would’ve rathered two more songs but then again I think we all feel the same about drum solos.
Hughes and Co closed out with “Smoke on the Water” and a gorgeous “Georgia on my Mind” only to return with a face-melting rendition of “Burn” which had everyone on their feet, air guitaring, and singing at the top of their lungs. With that, the band left the stage and Hughes thanked us all and promised to return. Now I have seen Deep Purple twice and both times left early because they were horrible but yet here’s Glenn Hughes, nearing 70 at this point, and he played with all the gusto, enthusiasm, and voice of a man much younger than his years.
Seeing Glenn Hughes, to me, was a very spiritual experience. The man’s voice is a gift without a doubt and he knows how to use it and takes good care of it. I laughed, I teared up, I felt energetically moved, and I felt the true spirt of these amazing songs. If you want to pay to see a band just go through the motions, go see Deep Purple. If you want to fucking go to church and witness a religious musical experience, go see Glenn Hughes and see him as often as you can while you can.
About The Author
