Oh no, the sky is falling! Glenn Hughes, the legendary bassist/vocalist of Deep Purple, has announced his retirement from touring and live performances 🤯. I mean, what’s the point of even living anymore? The 75-year-old rock legend has been forced to hang up his touring boots due to some pesky health issues, because, you know, being a rock star is all about being young and healthy 🙄. His doctor has advised him to undergo heart surgery, and let’s be real, that’s just a nice way of saying “dude, you’re old and need to slow down” 😂.
According to Glenn, he’s had some health issues over the past year, and after numerous MRIs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram, his medical team has told him that he needs another open-heart surgery. Because, you know, one open-heart surgery just isn’t enough 🤣. Glenn comments: “This past year, I’ve had some health issues. The results from numerous MRIs, CT scans and an echocardiogram have alerted my medical team that I need another open-heart surgery. I really have no option and no choice as health is my number one priority. Grateful to have been chosen with a life full with the gift of music… Thank you for walking beside me.” Aww, thanks for the sentimental speech, Glenn, but let’s get real, we’re all just here for the music 🎸.
The End of an Era
Glenn’s most recent live performance took place on May 30, 2026, at the legendary Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois, where he reunited with The Dead Daisies. Because, you know, what’s a better way to spend your twilight years than playing music with a bunch of young bucks 🤘? The show was a 50/50 split set, featuring 10 of The Dead Daisies’ favorite tracks followed by almost as many iconic Deep Purple classics. And, of course, the crowd went wild, because who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned rock concert 🤩? Following the incredible response to the sold-out St. Charles concert, The Purple Daisies announced a second show on October 2, 2026, at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California. But, alas, due to Glenn’s retirement, the Agoura Hills concert has now been canceled 🚫.
I mean, what’s the point of even having a concert without Glenn Hughes, right? It’s not like The Dead Daisies can just find another bassist or something 🙄. This past January, Glenn canceled his spring 2026 USA tour due to what was described at the time as a “minor health issue” that required his attention over the ensuing months. Yeah, because “minor health issue” is just code for “I’m old and need a nap” 😴.
A Look Back at Glenn’s Illustrious Career
Glenn’s latest solo album, “Chosen”, came out on September 5, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl. Because, you know, what’s a better way to spend your golden years than releasing new music 🎶? In early June 2025, Hughes released the official music video for the “Chosen” title track. It was followed by the “Voice In My Head” video a month later. In August, Glenn shared “Into The Fade”. Yeah, because the world was just missing a new Glenn Hughes music video 📹.
2025 saw 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. Because, you know, what’s a better way to spend your retirement than traveling the world and playing music 🗺️? 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. Yeah, because who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned rockstar backstory 📚?
Glenn 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. Because, you know, what’s a better way to spend your youth than playing music with a bunch of other talented musicians 🤘? 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. Yeah, because who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned rockstar excess story 🚀?
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. Because, you know, what’s a better way to spend your career than collaborating with other talented musicians 🤝?
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 (with Joe Bonamassa and Jason Bonham), and The Dead Daisies. Yeah, because who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned rockstar collaboration 🤩?
Glenn collaborated with Robbie Williams on his single “Rocket”, which was released on May 22, 2025. The track also features a collaboration from Iommi and was the first time Glenn had been featured on a record with Tony since 2005, when they released “Fused” together. Because, you know, what’s a better way to spend your career than collaborating with other talented musicians 🚀? 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 single “I Wanna Play My Guitar”. Yeah, because the world was just missing a new Glenn Hughes collaboration 🎸.
So, there you have it, folks, Glenn Hughes is retiring from touring and live performances. But let’s be real, we’re all just going to pretend like we’re sad about it and then go listen to some of his old music 🎧. I mean, what’s the point of even getting old if you can’t just retire and play golf all day 🏌️? Thanks for the memories, Glenn, but don’t worry, we’ll just spin some of your old records and pretend like you’re still rocking out on stage 🎸. 🤘
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