Glenn Hughes has been forced to retire from touring due to ongoing health issues.
The former Deep Purple bassist and singer announced his retirement in a post on social media, and revealed he is set to undergo open heart surgery.
“This past year, I’ve had some health issues,” Hughes says. “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.”
Joe Satriani, Richie Kotzen, Nuno Bettencourt and other music heroes offered their support in the comments.
Hughes’ retirement brings the curtain down on a decorated and prolific career that has seen him front Trapeze, Black Sabbath and the Dead Daisies. He played his most recent show over the weekend during a Kings of Chaos covers band gig in California.
The retirement comes off the back of Hughes’ latest health setback, after he was forced to cancel plans for a US tour back in January. His management at the time put this down to “a minor health issue that requires his attention over the upcoming months”.
He was able to return to the stage for a Dead Daisies show in St Charles, Illinois, back in May, but plans to perform later this year in Agoura Hills, California, have been cancelled.
Hughes also has a history of heart-related health problems, having been diagnosed with a heart murmur as a child and undergoing heart surgery in 2013.
“Having the operation with my heart and the new aorta has really changed my psychology about life and people and love itself,” Hughes said of the operation in a 2016 Classic Rock interview. “It’s really quite simple. I surround myself with loving, nurturing people.”
Hughes has played with a pantheon of rock guitar greats over his career, from Ritchie Blackmore and Tommy Bolin to Pat Thrall and Mel Galley. Speaking to Classic Rock last year, he named the best guitarist he ever worked with.
