High Voltage Exclusive: Glenn Hughes On Heaven & Hell

Glenn Hughes has spoken exclusively to Classic Rock about his upcoming appearance at High Voltage with Heaven & Hell, in tribute to Ronnie James Dio.

“I had a great relationship with Ronnie – I was the guy who introduced him to curry. And he became the curry king. Whenever we got together, we’d always have this argument over who was the better singer. I’d be saying, ‘You’re the best’, and he’d reply, ‘No, you are’.

“Whe he died we lost the greatest of all metal singers. But he was so much more than that. He could walk into a room with 30 people he didn’t know and make every one of them feel comfortable. He’d also remember their names the next time they met. And he did so much for charity. His Children Of The Night Foundation helped kids on the street, he raised $4.5 million through Hear ‘N Aid (to aid famine victims in Africa). He was a saint.

“So, when Wendy Dio, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler asked me if I’d do this special set at High Voltage in his memory, it was such an honour.”

Right now, Hughes isn’t sure what he’ll be singing and what will be done by Jorn Lande, the other singer who’ll be onstage with Heaven & Hell.

“I’ve been given 13 songs to learn, which includes the Black Sabbath albums Ronnie did, and also the Heaven & Hell album, The Devil You Know. We’re going down to Mono Valley in Wales, where there will be rehearsals and we’ll sort it all out. There’s no competition here. This is all about paying appropriate respect to Ronnie. I’m sure it’ll be a very emotional time for all of us, and he’ll be looking down at Jorn and me saying, ’Go on, you can do it.”

Heaven & Hell will be on the main stage on July 24. Find out more at www.highvoltagefestival.co.uk