Black County Communion frontman Glenn Hughes says the band “is over” because guitarist Joe Bonamassa has left, and won’t let the remaining members keep using the name.
The classic rock outfit released three acclaimed studio albums before internal tensions boiled over, with Hughes last year revealing he was thinking of quitting because he wanted to play live, and Bonamassa insisted he wasn’t available.
That led to a series of public outbursts in which the two musicians took pot-shots at each other before both said they were ready to “move on.”
They appeared to calm down later and said they were talking to each other again. But Bonamassa continued to insist he’d always said he wouldn’t have time to tour in support of 2012 album Afterglow – while Hughes, drummer Jason Bonham and keyboardist Derek Sherinian suggested they’d been led to believe otherwise before the record was recorded.
Earlier this month the blues axeman said he was “happily not involved any more” and revealed he’d become disillusioned during their 2011 tour because he found it “very tense.”
In reponse, Hughes tweeted, “Just so it’s crystal, BCC is over. Joe left and will not allow us to keep the name. Nice, huh? Jason, Derek and I will continue when the time is right.”
He added, “I have my hands full writing my first solo rock album in five years.” Hughes says he began writing tracks on March 21st, and he reflects, “I choose happiness and have nothing but love to offer. Everything is the way it’s meant to be.”
Last year producer Kevin Shirley told Classic Rock that a series of disagreements had almost led to the band’s third album never happening. But he remained confident that, given time, the dust would settle.
He said, “You can’t take away the fact that these are the ultimate rock stars, and there must be something about that rub that makes the music amazing. There will be another record. I would guess we’ll record it in early 2015 – look for it in October 2015.”
additional source: classicrockmagazine.com
28 Responses
Well maybe the other guys will stick it out and come up with a new monicker. It gets a little old to see bands swap out members but go under the same name but with a different sound. It is a shame that JB couldn’t think a little more of the other guys though and work something out. He might be big with all the guitar nerds out there but surely he would have had a bigger audience with BCC.
I say they take a break so Glenn can do his solo “Rock” album. Then they can find the right replacement guitarist and revive the band calling it “BCR” …..”Black Country Revival” The name is similar but not the same so Joe can’t stop them from using it.
I agree with byrd, seems like Joe’s ego might be to blame for this.
Look at all the back patting in his Royal Albert Hall DVD. Lots of great artists heaping praise on the prodigy. We get it, but where’s the humility? Don’t get me wrong, Joe is a very talented guitar player with limited vocal abilities. It would seem to me BCC is a perfect fit for a musician like Joe. They should all use the model of Chickenfoot: Four superstar musicians making fantastic music together, and being able to take a short hiatus when another obligation comes up (Chad-RHCP, Satch-solo).
I am a fan of Joe B., I have every DVD and enjoy watching him perform. I believe his camp may be over-hyping and stroking his ego. Look at all the releases in just the past few years, Royal Albert Hall, Beacon Theatre, Acoustic In Vienna, not to mention BCC’s Live Over Europe. Can you say overexposed? Had the Acoustic In Vienna on Palladia TV on yesterday, and the wife mentioned the dozen guitars on stands surrounding him on stage. Can you say HUGE ego?
I wish Glenn and the BCC boys nothing but the best. Hopefully, they’ll forge ahead and give us more great music. Maybe an album with a bunch of guest guitarists?
“Super groups” beginning with Cream have generally very short life-spans, BCC is no different. I think Joe B and Hughes are guilty of being egomania-fueled divas. But Bonamassa is probably the problem here, and as good as he is: he is replaceable. And it’s not like this is a Blackmore leaving DP situation, BCC has no history.
thanks joe, no one wants to hear your solo crap!