GLENN HUGHES Talks About Possible DEEP PURPLE Reunion

In a brand new, exclusive, extensive interview conducted by Rock N Roll Universe with legendary vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, TRAPEZE) and LIZARDS bassist Randy Pratt, the two discuss the brand new LIZARDS CD, "Against All Odds" on which Hughes appears on four tracks, his days in DEEP PURPLE, his brand new album "Music For The Divine" and the possibilities not only of working again with BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi, but of a reunion of the classic Mark III lineup of DEEP PURPLE. Also covered in the interview is the upcoming "Hughes Thrall II" album, which Hughes is currently recording with guitarist Pat Thrall. An excerpt from the interview follows below:

Rock N Roll Universe: Glenn, how do you feel that your contributions to the LIZARDS album turned out?

Glenn Hughes: "When I went in there, Randy played me a couple of things that he wanted me to finish. Three things I finished with him, and I wrote a song entirely for him. I wrote a song with the band, from scratch. So, there were three different elements there. The song I brought in, they recorded. The song that I sort of helped them write, was called 'Take The Fall'. That's really good. There's three other songs that were kind of more groovy and funky. Which is my element. That's the background I like the most. They allowed me to come in and just do my thing. It was sort of a very free thing. I think the combination of all five of us was strong."

Rock N Roll Universe: What was it about their music that led you not only to agree to guest on the album, but also co-write songs with the band?

Glenn Hughes: "I think the organicness, and the actual sense of honesty. They're not looking to... and this is why I like Randy and the guys, they're not looking to be the latest trend. They're looking to make honest records, and honest music. I think, on a song level, the songs that I participated on, and the songs I wrote with them have got a certain vibe. You can tell that I participated in it. I think Mike DiMeo's a really underrated singer. I think people need to know more about Mike. I think they will now. I think, hopefully, my participation on this record will get him and the guys more media. Although Randy's a good friend of mine, I get offered a LOT of sessions, and I have to turn most of them down, because I can't have my voice out there on everybody's album. Because it's too much. But I was really, really blown away when I actually started to listen in the studio to what they wanted me to help finish, or write with them. It was really, really satisfying for me."

Rock N Roll Universe: There are a lot of people who would be very interested in seeing a Mark III reunion of DEEP PURPLE, with you, David Coverdale and Ritchie Blackmore reforming with Jon Lord and Ian Paice for either some live shows, or even perhaps some new recordings. If the circumstances were right, would you be interested in pursuing something along those lines?

Glenn Hughes: "I think David and I would do that. Speaking on behalf of David, and David and I have already spoken about this at Christmas. I think, at some point, you might see some kind of rumblings of this in the press. While Gillan, Glover and Paice are still out there, I don't know if it's ever going to happen. I think if that ever comes to a head, where DEEP PURPLE kind of stops touring with the two Ians and Roger, who are very nice people by the way, it might happen. I wouldn't want to step on anybody's toes and do something that's inappropriate. But I think that if you got Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Jon Lord and Ian Paice together, it probably would be a very big tour. I think it would be remarkable. David and I have already discussed how great it would be for he and I to sing together. But it would only be in DEEP PURPLE. And, it would only be with Ritchie Blackmore. At my age right now, 53, things have to make sense. I don't want to do something that is wrong now. As far as wrong being perceived by the press right now. Finally, especially the British press, they're finally behind me, and they're watching very closely everything I do. I've got to kind of get things in perspective."

Rock N Roll Universe: Have you ever seriously discussed anything like this with Ritchie?

Glenn Hughes: "I haven't spoken with Ritchie about it. I haven't made that call, nobody has. I think he's enjoying his thing with his wife. I just think that, at the right time, at the right moment, the right place, it could happen. Is it today? I don't think it's right now. Is it next year? Who knows? But I think it'll be in the next 2 or 3 years if it's going to happen at all."

To access the entire interview go to this location.