Glenn Hughes confirms Eddie Van Halen approached him to sing for Van Halen

Following the departure of David Lee Roth

Eddie Van Halen and Glenn Hughes
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 7th Aug 2023

Glenn Hughes claims that Eddie Van Halen spoke to him about fronting Van Halen following the departure of David Lee Roth in 1985.

Speaking to The Classic Rock Podcast, former Deep Purple vocalists Glenn Hughes said he had a chat with Eddie Van Halen, however Hughes’ battle with drugs and alcoholism thwarted his chances.

"Well, Eddie was newly sober at that time… And we spoke about it," Hughes explained. "I had no idea. Eddie had been a friend of mine from the beginning.

"Look… Wow… Would it have worked? I'm not sure. Unless I was completely sober — and I've been sober now for 24 years. Yeah, it would have been interesting, wouldn't it? You never know."

Van Halen in 1986

Hughes previously said in a 1996 interview that Van Halen would have picked him ahead of Sammy Hagar if he was sober.

"Eddie Van Halen told me last year… He said to me that, when they were auditioning Sammy Hagar, that if I would've been clean and sober I would've gotten the gig."

In the same year Van Halen were auditioning, Glenn Hughes sang lead vocals on Tony Iommi’s Black Sabbath album, ‘Seventh Star.’

Glenn Hughes

Glenn Hughes hits the road in the UK this autumn on Planet Rock’s Rocktober tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of Deep Purple’s ‘Burn’.

The snappily titled 'Glenn Hughes Performs Classic Deep Purple Live - Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the album Burn' tour will also feature other songs from the MKIII and MKIV era of Deep Purple when Hughes was a member of the legendary band.

Featuring special guests The Damn Truth at all dates, tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets now.

Glenn Hughes UK tour dates for Planet Rock’s Rocktober:

OCTOBER 2023

Holmfirth Picturedrome – Tue 10th

Southampton The 1865 – Thu 12th

Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion – Fri 13th

Nottingham Rock City – Sun 15th

Newcastle Boiler Shop – Tue 17th

Glasgow Queen Margaret Union – Fri 20th

Wolverhampton KK’s Steel Mill – Sat 21st

Bury St Edmunds The Apex – Mon 23rd

London Electric Ballroom – Wed 25th

Frome Cheese & Grain – Sat 28th

Manchester Academy – Sun 29th

Buy Glenn Hughes tickets

Planet Rock's Rocktober

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MUSIC NEWS: Glenn Hughes recalls accidentally joining ELO for two weeks in 1972

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