Glenn Hughes talks Deep Purple, Gary Moore, gear and Black Country Communion.

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You’re also one of the only nationally touring acts addressing that need.

Led Zeppelin aren’t playing anymore, and I think a lot of fans -– the sons and daughters of classic rock fans -- are coming to see what their parents’ music was like. For the first time, it’s cool for kids to like their parents’ music, and we’re caught up in that. The BCC audience isn’t a Joe Bonamassa audience. Joe’s audience is very purist in what he does. When I look into our audience, I see Led Zeppelin T-shirts –- even Trapeze T-shirts. It’s a classic rock audience, and I see 15-year-olds to 50-year-olds. I’m really happy that we’ve done that.

Do you play bass with a pick or with your fingers?

I use a pick. But a lot of other bass players have told me I’m the only bass player who plays with a pick but sounds like he’s playing with the thumb and fingers, which is a great compliment. I’m actually working with other bass players on a project right now, and they’re all finger players. It's never too late, so I’m actually going to take lessons to play with my fingers. But I’m a very aggressive bass player, and a pick is just gonna be needed for some of the stuff I do.

I’m envious of people who really throw down with fingers because it looks great. But the way I play is very Glenn Hughes. You know, Chris Squire plays with a pick. We’re very different bass players, but we’re from the same generation. There’s like 10 of us -– the Jack Bruces, the Chris Squires, McCartney -- the Brit thing. I come from that. You can hear it in our playing; we all sound British in a way.

What are your memories of an old collaborator of yours, the late Gary Moore?

Gary and I became very good friends in 1980. He left a Thin Lizzy tour midway through. He just disappeared -- but he actually disappeared to my house. He couldn’t take playing in a band anymore, and he had this tendency to just jump ship. I remember Phil Lynott calling my house and saying, “If you’ve got him over there, I’m gonna slit your throat.” The idea of someone slitting my throat didn’t make me happy.

Gary and I formed this little combo called G Force. As soon as it started, I was out of it because I was too drunk. But we were still great friends in the early ‘80s, and I joined him to do an album called Run For Cover. But I was drunk again, and it wasn’t the appropriate time to work with Gary because he was against all druggy behavior at the time.

I want to point out to your readers that Gary Moore was the most ferocious, innovative guitar player ever. His melodies were off the charts. He was a great friend, and we made our pact toward the end of his life, becoming friends again. My mom was listening to a piece of music on the radio last week. When the radio announcer said who it was, she said, “Yes, it was Gary Moore. He was fantastic.” My mom is 84, she loves his playing.

The CD version of Black Country Communion's Live Over Europe came out February 28 via J&R Adventures. The DVD of the same name was released last fall. Keep up with Black Country Communion via their Facebook page and their official website.

[[ Through March 31, enter to win an autographed Epiphone Les Paul Special II courtesy of Black Country Communion! ]]

Photo: Christie Goodwin

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