Legendary rock musician Glenn Hughes, known for his work with Deep Purple and Trapeze, has announced his retirement from touring due to upcoming heart surgery. The 74-year-old singer and bassist stated that he has made the difficult decision to step back from live performances for the foreseeable future, citing significant health issues that require his immediate attention.
Hughes revealed that a series of medical tests, including MRIs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram, have led his medical team to advise him that he needs another open-heart surgery. "I really have no option and no choice as health is my number one priority," Hughes said in a statement released on his Facebook page. He expressed gratitude for a life filled with music and thanked his fans for their support.
The Cannock, England native's career spans decades. He first gained prominence in the 1970s with the band Trapeze before joining Deep Purple in 1973. With the new lineup, which included David Coverdale, the band released successful albums such as "Burn" (1974), "Stormbringer" (1974), and "Come Taste the Band" (1975). Hughes and his Deep Purple bandmates were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
This retirement follows a health-related cancellation of his spring 2026 U.S. tour, titled "The Chosen Years." That tour was scheduled to feature songs from his various projects, including Deep Purple, Trapeze, Hughes/Thrall, Iommi/Hughes, and Black Country Communion. His most recent performance was on May 30 in St. Charles, Illinois, with the band The Dead Daises, performing as The Purple Daises.
Hughes has maintained a prolific solo career since releasing his first solo album, "Play Me Out," in 1977. He has released a dozen studio albums and collaborated with numerous notable musicians throughout his career, including Tony Iommi, Gary Moore, Dave Navarro, Chad Smith, John Frusciante, Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai. In September 2025, he released his solo album "Chosen."