Glenn Hughes Announces Retirement From Live Performances Due To Heart Surgery

Deep Purple icon and Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee Glenn Hughes has officially announced his retirement from touring and live performances. The decision comes following medical advice after a series of scans revealed that the upcoming 75-year-old must undergo open-heart surgery.

Hughes confirmed the news, stating that health is his primary concern despite a career spanning five decades. "The results from numerous MRIs, CT scans and an echocardiogram have alerted my medical team that I need another open-heart surgery," Hughes explained. "I really have no option and no choice as health is my number one priority."

I really have no option and no choice as health is my number one priority.

This retirement follows a busy 2025 schedule where the Cannock native toured across Europe and South America to promote his latest solo album, "Chosen". The news also necessitates the cancellation of an upcoming show in Agoura Hills, California, which was set for October 2, 2026, following a high-profile performance under The Purple Daisies banner in May.

While Hughes' career has been defined by his unique blend of hard rock and soul influences—spanning projects from Trapeze to Black Country Communion—his focus must now shift toward recovery. His final performances included a 50/50 split set with The Dead Daisies, showcasing both modern tracks and Deep Purple classics before the health issues forced him to pull back.