Glenn Hughes stops performing due to heart surgery

Glenn Hughes, the 75 year old bassist and vocalist who made his name with Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion and Trapeze, has announced he is stepping away from touring and live performance. The reason is medical: tests have shown he needs to undergo open heart surgery again. Hughes shared the news himself on social media and held nothing back: "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."

The news does not come entirely out of nowhere. Back in January of this year, Hughes had already cancelled a six week tour of the United States, which was described at the time as being due to a minor health issue requiring his attention. His very last performance took place on May 30th at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois, where he performed alongside guitarist Doug Aldrich, drummer Tommy Clufetos and guitarist David Lowy under the name The Purple Daisies. That concert, a sold out evening, featured a setlist split evenly between Dead Daisies songs and iconic Deep Purple classics. Following its warm reception, a second show had already been scheduled for October 2nd at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California, but that has since been cancelled.

Hughes built an impressive career spanning more than fifty years. He got his start with Trapeze, joined Deep Purple in 1973 during the celebrated Mark III lineup alongside David Coverdale, and appeared on the albums Burn, Stormbringer and Come Taste the Band. With Deep Purple he performed in front of more than 300,000 people at the legendary California Jam. He later contributed to the Black Sabbath album Seventh Star in 1986 and was involved in all five albums by supergroup Black Country Communion, alongside an extensive solo career of more than a dozen studio albums. In 2016 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Deep Purple. His most recent solo album Chosen was released on September 5th, 2025 through Frontiers Music Srl. During 2025 Hughes had been busy touring Europe and South America, with a show in Zoetermeer on September 2nd serving as the opening date of his Chosen Years tour.

Beyond his band work, Hughes also made his presence felt recently through collaborations with other artists. He contributed vocals to the song I Wanna Play My Guitar by Satchvai, the project of guitar legends Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. He also appeared on the song Rocket by Robbie Williams, which features Tony Iommi as well. It was the first time Hughes and Iommi had appeared on a record together since their joint album Fused in 2005.

The responses to his announcement make clear just how deeply Hughes is appreciated throughout the rock world. Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme wrote: "A man who's given us so much music and love with a heart as big as yours... will one day have to rest and heal it. Look after yourself... and let us entertain you for a while." Matt Sorum, former drummer of Guns N' Roses, shared: "My dear brother, health is your main priority... We are here praying for you and sending the most healing vibes." And guitarist Joe Satriani added: "Wishing you the speediest of recoveries Glenn."

For Dutch music fans this news carries a special weight. Hughes was still on stage in Zoetermeer in September 2025, opening his Chosen Years tour. In hindsight, that turned out to be one of his final European performances. With his permanent farewell to the live stage, one of the most versatile voices in classic rock history has left the concert hall for good.