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Rock vocalist Glen Hughes may not be a household name to some, but he is a legend to others. This iconic vocalist has been a part of some of the most influential rock bands in history (Deep Purple and Black Sabbath to name a few). He was kind enough to grant us an interview before he was about to take the stage at B.B. Kings for the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. In talking to Glen, you can see he has a passion for not only Rock music, but the people he surrounds himself with. After our sit down with Glen, you can see how he has made such a positive impact in rock and roll. See what Mr. Hughes had to say…
Gus: Glen, how did you become involved in Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp? 
Glen: They asked me to do the last one in London but I was already booked. A lot of my friends have been counselors over the last couple of years and they mentioned it to me. My manager got a call about 6 months ago saying that David Fishof wanted you to come to this one. I love New York we just played here in June and it was great! I must say, I am one of those guys who likes to give a little bit back. I’ve been around for quite some time and had a great career. So it’s fresh to work with new and exciting people who have the same dreams that I once had.
Gus: Are you working on solo material or are you collaborating with another artist?
Glen: Yes. The next Glen Hughes album will be released next spring. The collaboration will be with John Frusciante and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers). Chad Smith is a really, really, close friend and collaborator on all my records since 2002. He produces, arranges, and writes with me. John Frusciante has been around on the last couple and it’s great having your friends around. They just happen to be in an iconic band, but it’s great to work with talented people.
Gus: You have been in some of the most influential bands in rock (Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.) How does it feel being looked at as one of the most influential voices in rock and roll?
Glen: I have some amazing fans! I also have received respect back from many, many years of hard work. I think people say that you made some really good records as a solo artist and I have worked really hard to establish an identity as a solo artist as well. It’s difficult to do that and I sort of really pushed that really hard. It’s got me to the stage now where I work now more than I have ever worked in my life. It’s actually good! I think it’s good for my people my age to……If they have the same feeling as they did back in the 1970’s. I have exactly the same feeling and very fortunate!
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Gus: A lot of the older bands that go out on tour have such a deep fan base that they constantly support the bands they grew up with. It’s good to see artists such as yourself to go out and continue to make music.
Glen: You know, I got to do it! For a number of years I wasn’t doing it. I used to say that I took off time from the industry and traveled and what have you. The last 15 years I have been playing and making records. I’ve been working with John and Chad, Dave Navarro, Jerry Cantrell and newer artists, writing and producing for other artists who are platinum sellers. I must say I’ve had a life beyond my wildest dreams. This is the rock and roll fantasy camp. These men and women who come in who are corporate executives wanting to come in and do what we do and it’s interesting…. we’ll see what happens.
Gus: Yesterday, Paul Stanley during his Q&A talked about how he thinks your one of the best singers on the planet. How does that make you feel when another rock legend points at you saying he is a big fan of yours?
Glen: I think Paul came to see me with Gene during the early years with Kiss with Deep Purple at Madison Square Garden. As you know, Gene and Paul are massive rock fans and walking encyclopedias of rock music. Paul and Gene are really good friends of mine. It’s really nice that people say those things about me when I’m still alive you know? (laughs) Paul Stanley is one of the great, great, lead singing, guitar playing, front men of one of the all time great American bands!
Gus: Out of all the bands you have collaborated with, who was the most fun and why?
Glen: Deep Purple because of the dynamic version we created. It was a crazy period in the 1970’s.
Gus: How was it being a part of Black Sabbath?
Glen: We all are from Birmingham and I grew up with Tony and Ozzy so even though I never played with Ozzy in Sabbath, I took his place in the band. Ozzy and Sharon are really great friends of mine. It’s Tony I draw from as being one of my oldest and dearest friends. We made three records together and probably will make another one next year.
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Gus: You co-wrote and sang on Quiet Riot’s 2006 CD “Rehab.” How did you get involved with that?
Glen: I just spoke to Kevin 5 minutes ago…. He is one of my best friends and Frankie was with me in 1982 prior to the hit of Quiet Riot. Kevin and I go on a lot of vacations together and we go on a lot of traveling. We are really tight friends in our private life. The girls come with us and it’s really, really great! He asked me to come to Vegas to write some lyrics and melodies for Quiet Riot’s album. Of course I flew up there and did it!
Gus: Is there anybody you haven’t worked with that you would like to?
Glen: Somebody like Jeff Beck. Back in 1984 I got a call from Sony BMG (Sony at the time) to work with Jeff to do his next vocal record. He really hasn’t made a big rock record. Here we are in 2007 and we still waiting for that call. I saw Jeff a couple of months ago and he is the only guitar player that I haven’t worked with yet that I really, really love! I also love John Mayer. He is fantastic!
Gus: Are you currently on tour and where are you heading off to next?
Glen: I am! Buenos Aires. I’m leaving tomorrow for Paris and will do 5 weeks in Europe, South America for 3 weeks, and then I have a week off when I get back. Then I’m in the studio with Chad and John.
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Gus: Anything you want to say in closing to our GlamMetal readers out there?
Glen: That rock and roll has been an art form for me and I got into it for the music. Here I am now and still in it for the music and nothing else. I don’t want to do it for anything but the music. If you have the art form and you just want to make a living being a musician to pay your bills, then the rest is gravy. For me it’s been a great, great long ride and I’m going to ride this beast until the end!
Gus: Thanks Glen!
Glen: Thanks guys!
For more info on the doings of Glen Hughes, go to: www.glennhughes.com
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