Every so often you read one of the many rock biographies/autobiographies and you just can't put it down due to the stories and revelations within being so chilling and unbelievable. Glenn Hughes, The Autobiography-From Deep Purple to Black Country Communion is one such book. Written by the legendary vocalist/bassist, with help from Joel McIver, this 250 book takes you from Hughes' humble beginnings, though this time with the funky hard rock trio Trapeze, to his take-off with Deep Purple, the beginnings of his addiction to cocaine, the lost opportunities with Hughes/Thrall, Gary Moore, and Black Sabbath, the many years of 'darkness' where his addiction spiraled out of control, getting sober, and finding new life and love with a new wife, solo career, and the formation of Black Country Communion with Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian.
As far as stories of excess and soul shattering addiction goes, it doesn't get more harrowing than this. After reading Hughes' detailed accounts of his addiction to cocaine, crack, alcohol, and ecstasy, you'll scratch your head wondering how he made it through it all…roughly 20 years to be exact. Stories of his late night shenanigans with Tommy Bolin, Ron Wood, David Bowie, John Bonham, Rob Halford, Tommy Lee, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and many other notable rock stars, are revealed in stunning detail, as are his failed romances with Linda Blair, Cherrie Currie, American Gladiator 'Lace', Karen Ulibarri, Angela Bowie, and others. Throughout much of the book, Hughes documents how his main friend/lover/enemy throughout most of this time period was his addiction, which took priority over everything, even music. As sad, heart wrenching, and pathetic many of these stories are (and it must have been hard to Hughes to admit much of these events), his fight to get sober and eventually attaining his sobriety in the late 90's, is an inspiration.
If you've ever been a fan of Glenn Hughes, you really need to read this book. While at times the stories he tells come from all over the place, and pop in and out of chronological order, it stays pretty consistent and follows the path from innocent musician/singer looking to become a rock star, attaining that success in one of the biggest bands in the world, falling into the wrong crowd, nearly dying from a horrible drug addiction, having the industry almost give up on him due to his mess of a life, and redemption after battling and beating his demons. Lots of time is spent talking about the music made with the many bands and musicians he's worked with, in addition to all the sex and drugs that go along with rock & roll. It certainly ain't pretty, but it's a damn fascinating read.
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