Glenn Hughes Performs Classic Deep Purple - The Roadmender Northampton

 

Not for the first time we are first on the scene at The Roadmender. It can be be a bit disconcerting though, I sometimes start to think the event has been cancelled for some reason or other. I spot one other person outside the venue and go over for a chat. He tells me that not only is he in the support band (Dead Sea Skulls, playing Bass), he is also Glenn's Manager. If that wasn't enough he was also a member of The Quireboys and recently played with Tony Iommi. He re-assured me that everything was on schedule and that Glenn was sounding as good as ever. The queue does then start to build slowly. 

Jimi

Safely inside we take up position centre stage on the barriers. Described as Indie/Punk /Garage the Birmingham based trio 'Dead Sea Skulls' belt out a high energy set. They are everything a support act should be, and waste no time getting the crowd going. Front man 'Ash Sheehan' is like a man possessed standing over the drum kit and pounding out the beat. He provides the vocals too, catchy and melodic. The sort you find yourself singing along too, despite not having heard previously.    

More than I expected actually, as he jumps to the front and thrusts the microphone in my face. I get away with the chorus from 'Turnin' Away' just about I think....  

Jimi's brother Nick is also the guitarist in the band. They have always been in bands together. Meanwhile Ash has stopped smashing seven bells out of the drum kit and is playing the trumpet! They have certainly done their job in getting the crowd going that is for sure.

 

It's a short break before 'The Voice of Rock' Glenn Hughes and his band take to the stage. This was an opportunity that couldn't be missed, we are truly in the presence of 'Rock n Roll Royalty'. 

A member of Deep Purple Mk III (1973-75) & Mk IV(1975-76). During this time incredibly three albums were released with David Coverdale on Lead Vocals .

Burn - Feb 1974

Stormbringer  - Nov 1974 

Come Taste The Band - Nov 1975.

The band then split up until the reunion of DP Mk II in 1984. (Gillan, Lord, Paice, Blackmore) Which saw the release of the brilliant 'Perfect Strangers' album.

The set kicks off with the 'Stormbringer' title track , followed by 'Might Just Take Your Life' from 'Burn'. The vocals initially sounded a bit low but must have been turned up as they were fine thereafter. The atmosphere was good. It felt pretty packed but was difficult to tell being right at the front. I understand 450 tickets were sold in advance . more than likely a quantity sold on the night too. 

In the band we have long time collaborator Soren Andersen on guitar,  Bob Fridzema on Keyboards and none other than 'Ash' make a re-appearance on the drums. 

Glenn is a sprightly 71 years of age now and thriving having turned his life around. Embracing being sober over 25 years he is embracing life. 

Bob Fridzema

Glenn seems genuinely pleased by the turnout, 'you are more than fans, you are part of the family' he says. As he welcomes those new and old, spotting some familiar faces in the crowd. It would be easy to make it an evening of reminiscence , telling the old stories from bygone days. This is a man looking forward though, with lots happening over the next two years. Not least a big American tour starting in August with Yngwie J Malmsteen.Back to the UK in Oct before departing to South America.

Someone who clearly likes to be active. He spotted that there was a blank week in the calendar and hastily filled it with dates in Cardiff, Norwich and now Northampton. The short tour culminating with a headline slot at the inaugural 'Maid of Stone Festival' at Mote Park Maidstone.  

He tells us that he has lived in the US for over 50 years. His heart though is here , or rather 60 miles up the road in Cannock where he was born. We are treated to a the odd story though. Such as when he joined Deep Purple, and taking a weekend trip to Hamburg with Richie Blackmore, part of a male bonding trip.... A tricky start before a note had even been written. His immediate appreciation for guitarist Tommy Bolin as soon as he saw him audition. Talking of guitarists Soren Andersen is pretty good too. Heavily influenced by 70's classic rock he has been touring for over 30 years with some of the biggest names in the business.

One of the highlights from the set has to be 'Mistreated' from the Burn album. Written by Blackmore and Coverdale which brought a bluesy vibe to the band.A song that Coverdale loved and continued to play live when he formed Whitesnake.  The last song before the band leave the stage is 'You Keep on Moving' (Come Taste the Band). Written by Hughes/Coverdale.

The band return for an encore as the crowd crank up the volume several notches. 'Highway Star' from 'Machine Head' (1971) gets us off and running again. Jimi from Dead Sea Skulls returns to take over Bass duties for this one. I have to admit to this being one of my many favourite DP songs. The night ends with the song that we have all been waiting patiently for, the classic 'Burn'. A fitting ending for sure ensuring everyone will go home happy. On this evidence Glenn Hughes shows no signs of slowing down and goes from strength to strength.

It was a good night all round as not only did I get a set list but also a couple of plectrums. Mrs A also had the drummers sweaty towel land on her head. Then getting caught in the scrum as several people scrambled to grab it. Losing a few hairs in the process. Fair play ensued as the towel was handed back to her. All's well that ends well.