Tribute to Mel as Glenn raises roof

It was an emotional night as Midland rocker Glenn Hughes returned to his "home turf", writes Ian Harvey.

Glenn Hughes at the Robin 2, Bilston. Glenn Hughes

The Robin 2, Bilston

It was an emotional night as Midland rocker Glenn Hughes returned to his "home turf".

The Cannock-born, former Deep Purple bassist was in town to promote his new First Underground Nuclear Kitchen album.

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But it was thoughts of another of his bands to the fore as Hughes spoke of his deep friendship and admiration for Mel Galley, the former Whitesnake guitarist with whom he played in Trapeze in the 70s, and who is terminally ill with cancer.

With members of Mel's family in the audience, Hughes told how, as a 14 year old, he idolised the then 17-year-old guitarist.

"For me there was Clapton, Hendrix and Mel Galley. He is my oldest friend. I want you to raise the roof," Hughes said as he led the Robin 2 crowd chanting "Mel, Mel, Mel."

The gig had kicked off in a confident and unusual fashion, with no less than four tracks from the new album, all rock bravura underpinned with Hughes' trademark funk stylings and astonishing voice soaring into the skies.

Looking lean, fit and happy, Hughes led his tight five-piece touring band through a two-hour set leaning heavily towards the new album.

Among the highlights of the night were new songs Crave and Love Communion, while Deep Purple's Mistreated was stripped down and rebuilt as an extended funk rock number, with Hughes, at one point going solo in the spotlight, just his falsetto voice commanding total attention.

To mixed reactions, Los Angeles-based Wolves fan Hughes congratulated West Bromwich Albion on their promotion to the Premier League, before adding: "We're gold and black people and we're coming back!"

He also revealed that he should have an autobiography out later this year, but confessed that although he could remember the 70s, the 80 were a blank, a reference to his well catalogued fight with addiction.

The night finished with another Deep Purple number, Burn, but before that he had taken another of his left turns, as the song Soul Mover segued into the Carpenters' Superstar for a brief while.

Never predictable but always giving 100 per cent, Hughes left the stage to rapturous applause and then spent as long as was needed meeting fans and signing memorabilia late into the night.

Hughes will be back at the Robin 2 in September to help celebrate the venue's 10th anniversary, with a gig featuring unplugged and electric sets as well as a question and answer session with the audience.

By Ian Harvey

Glenn Hughes points the way at the Robin 2, Bilston.