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Hughes announces touring band
And the big news is that Doug Aldrich is about to acquire another family tree chevron on his sleeve: Glenn Hughes has tapped him as the guitar player for his European tour that starts this September. Swedish drummer Pontus Engborg will round up the trio.
The announcement is accompanied by quotes from Hughes:
My friendship with Doug started when he was playing with my dear friend, Ronnie Dio. Ronnie would always introduce me to his bandmates who were always family.
So, on a fateful night in May 2010, I was playing at a festival in Bologna, Italy. I asked Doug if he would like to join me to play a couple of Deep Purple songs. We went into my dressing room and went over the arrangements of the songs, and we were good to go. I introduced Doug to the stage, and we performed for the audience. It felt natural & full of energy. Doug is a world class guitar player and bona fide Rock Star.
I was impressed with Doug’s demeanor, both on and off the stage, hard-working, kind and loving, all the qualities that one needs to fulfill a fruitful life.
Our friendship continued as Doug joined Whitesnake, and I was happy knowing that my brother David Coverdale, would nurture Doug’s talent, and give him the love to share with ROCK fans globally.
On the fifth anniversary of Ronnie’s passing, I connected with Doug again, and we chose to talk and remember how much we loved and missed him. We both asked what we were doing musically, and then out of the blue I asked him if he would like to come and play with me and do some Shows.
The answer was… I’m in!
We are both very excited to bring the love to ROCK fans, and carry the message that ROCK is alive. For me, it’s time to get back onstage, it’s where I belong… see you soon!
Aldrich adds:
Glenn and I have been friends for years. I met him through the Dio camp as we were both very close to Ronnie.
We had played live together several times, first in Bologna, Italy for the Ultimate Guitar Festival, and most recently at the Jim Marshall 50 Year Memorial Concert at Wembley Arena in London.
I’ve had a huge respect for what he has accomplished, but to play with him was astonishingly cool.
So cut to a few days ago.
I was remembering Ronnie James Dio on the anniversary of his passing and posted on my Facebook Page about that night 5 years earlier in Bologna. I remember Glenn dedicating “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll“, to Ronnie. It was right out of the blue and little did we know RJD would pass the next day.
Glenn and I were both pallbearers at the funeral.
Glenn heard about the Facebook post and gave me a call, also asking if I was up for a little jamming… I said YES for sure I was!!
We both agreed, it was long overdue to do a run of dates together.
Glenn had dates and I signed on!
I’m very excited about it all. If you hear of Glenn in town… GO see him cause I’ll be there too!!
The tour will start on September 15 in Milan, Italy, and continue through October 16, also visiting Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, and France.
Thanks to Blabbermouth for the info.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
No keyboardplayer?! 🙁
June 3rd, 2015 at 18:44What was the reason Doug left Whitesnake in the first place. Does anyone know?
June 3rd, 2015 at 21:14Very cool
June 4th, 2015 at 02:56@2. He said in an interview he needed some time off to be with his kids and DC was already committed to the Purple album and world tour. My take from the interview is DC said you’re either in or out and DA chose family time.
June 5th, 2015 at 00:58Doug had other commitments, other projects and wanted to spend more time with his son, when DC asked him to start working again on a new cd.
It’s all a bit strange when you consider that Whitesnake didn’t write / record any new songs.
June 5th, 2015 at 11:04@4
If DC said you’re either in or out that’s sounds like something Ritchie would say. Maybe he learned that from him.
June 6th, 2015 at 13:46In my opinion, Doug is one of the best guitarists in the DP family. He would have filled in nicely for Ritchie (if this was 1993/94). Nonetheless, I think Doug himself would admit what a great influence Ritchie was when he started out. You can see some of Doug’s solo shows on YouTube and I think he is under-rated. Most importantly, he seems to be humble. Something I wish Malmsteen and DiMeloa had learned in their careers was a little humility. I think Doug needs to be humble to play with Hughes!!
June 7th, 2015 at 01:24Doug is a wonderful man first of all then he’s s one of the greatest old school guitarists and a craftsmen. commitment to family is the best decision one ever makes. miss Doug mucho but we never know what the future brings. with such people in your life you always have your door wide open. Now i cannot wait to see GH and DA together share some love and groove 🙂
June 8th, 2015 at 15:05Bought my ticket for Zoetermeer.
I wish he would change his mind and take with him a keyboardplayer.
I loved the sound of the Addiction tour with JJ and the Swedish keyboardplayer.
The idea od a trio is nice but it lacks ” depth” when performing classics like the DP ones.
And In my blood should always be with HAMMOND!!! 😛
July 1st, 2015 at 17:24