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It did remain a side project
Louder Sound reprints online a Classic Rock interview with the members of Black Country Communion, conducted on the occasion of their second album release. The interview was originally published in the Classic Rock magazine issue #160, dated June 2011.
What began as a brief side-project for Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian has grown into something closely resembling the real deal: a contemporary classic rock group comprised of four musical over-achievers with their collective artistic compass pointing to some time in the early 1970s.
There is also another component to the group: the man whose vision it was the persuaded them to work together, producer (“don’t call me ‘svengali”) and co-songwriter Kevin Shirley. Like the band, whose combined CV includes time with Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Dream Theater, Shirley’s resumé also includes some of the biggest names in rock: Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, the Black Crowes, Journey… The full list is huge and impressive.
According to Shirley, “The master plan was begun before we even started. To the point where we scripted the ‘no touring until we had enough for a two-album set’. We had a little hiccup at the beginning of the second record, which was the result of many managers in the room, but other than that it’s been pretty much like clockwork.” Well, almost. With so many super-egos involved, ‘clockwork’ was never going to be an accurate description of how things work in Black Country Communion. But, as we learn, it’s been amazingly close – so far, anyway.
Continue reading in Louder Sound.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
I remember that interview, it was very in depth and revelatory, with how much Kevin Shirley was a driving force and all that. Back then people still had high hopes where BCC might go. That was perhaps a bit over-optimistic – we don‘t live in a day and age anymore where former membership in Deep Purple, blood ties to a legendary Zep member, ex-Dream Nerdeater status and being the new great white hope of blues guitar drive the masses in droves to streaming portals. I think the concept of the super group died with/after ASIA, that was a while ago.
At this stage, I believe BCC‘s moment/opportunity in time has gone/passed, Joe has his solo career (and you can better grow gracefully old as a blues artist than as a hard rocker), Glenn will not be able to hold off biology for a lot longer plus Jason has to come to terms that he will not follow his dad’s footsteps in Led Zep, we all have our crosses to bear!
I‘m actually seeing them in June in Cologne. Last time I saw them in Stuttgart, the glaring contrast between Glenn‘s “Oui, je suis un rock star!” boisterous stage stance and Joe’s “I’m just here to tune the guitars, man!”-low impact charisma was kinda a jab in the eye if you ask me!
May 5th, 2025 at 19:14I agree, their time has passed with every new release one of diminishing returns. I saw them on their first 2 UK tours and they were great, but if their heart isn’t in it, why should mine? I’ll see Glenn later in the year and he’ll shove a couple of BCC tunes in, hopefully including Cold, but it’s other stuff I’ll be waiting for.
May 5th, 2025 at 23:01I had very high hopes for BCC back in circa 2009-2011 with those first two albums. Then trouble in paradise happened around the time of the release of Afterglow. It became apparent that there was a huge schism between the Hughes camp versus Jobo and the Caveman. Having read all the interviews then and since, it is apparent that this project was designed (by Caveman & Jobo) and was merely destined to be a way of showcasing Bonamassa in a rock setting, in order to pad his resume, while he continued to ply his regular job as a wannabe solo bluesman. After all that acrimony, Hughes would have been way better off heading out in a different direction with a real rock guitarist….there were plenty around back in 2012 who might have fit the bill….Doug Aldritch; George Lynch; Pat Travers; Pat Thrall; etc. A lost opportunity. A band that shoulda coulda been a contender.
May 6th, 2025 at 14:49Excellent band, too bad Joe is not more focused. See you in Vienna on June 17
May 6th, 2025 at 16:29Ah, wise words, Auntie Purplette! I still regret that he left The Dead Daisies, I liked how raunchy he sounded with them and they with him. That said, I’m looking forward to the Cologne gig and wonder whether there will be a bit more stage chemistry between Glenn and the others. There was to my mind between Doug Aldrich and Glenn, maybe the best I’ve seen since Tommy & Glenn.
Thinking about it, that is probably the eternal charm Mk IV held for me, the way Glenn and Tommy immediately and infectiously gelled and bonded, a guitar/bass tandem this close didn’t exist with DP before and never again after them.
May 6th, 2025 at 20:24It is simply a case of the chemistry isn’t working with BCC, it never really has clicked has it?. The same scenario with a sporting team, a relationship, a business venture etc. It has to work in a natural way, not forced. How many other musicians that have joined up together in bands have found that out. Someone tried the old cash grab me thinks, a manager or agent etc. It hasn’t worked out very well for them. At least these guys can get together occasionally and have a blast, so it isn’t all lost. Music first, anything else irrelevant. Cheers.
May 6th, 2025 at 23:02As is often the case with so called supergroups BBC never did much for me. I can get one albums worth of best of out of their albums – excluding the last one which I thought was absolutely flat in the songwriting department. Looks like they keep the best songs for themselves rather. Playing is top notch as you would expect but the whole project lacks inspiration and dedication as far asw I am concerned. And yes I am a fan of Glenn the man though I have to admit it’s hard sometimes. (On the other hand: isn’t it the same with RB and DC? :-D) Looking forward to seeing GH solo in fall.
May 7th, 2025 at 07:08In my opinion, it was a missed opportunity when I look at the members. While there are a handful of excellent songs, the consistency and the necessary approach were simply lacking. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed the alternating lead vocals, similar to Purple MIII & MIV (although DC was obviously in a different league). This could have been perfected. Furthermore, it was incomprehensible to me that Derek was only involved as an extra. He is undoubtedly an exceptional artist and he definitely knows how a Hammond should sound. I once had the pleasure of meeting him at a workshop, and he blew everyone away with his organ sound. Like with Jon & Ritchie, I would have liked Joe & Derek to simply play together and duel each other on the solos. But what do a fan’s wishes matter…
May 7th, 2025 at 10:38