Gary Hughes
Encyclopedia
Gary Hughes is an English hard rock
singer, songwriter and musician. Apart from his work as a solo artist, Gary Hughes is the front man and main songwriter of Hard Rock
/Melodic Rock band Ten
. He has also worked as a producer and songwriter for Bob Catley
's first three solo albums, as well as Hugo's first album and has appeared on Vinny Burns
' The Journey
solo album and on the Ayreonauts Only
album by the band Ayreon
.
.
His solo musical career started in 1989 when Hughes released his first album, Big Bad Wolf (later renamed and re-released with extra tracks as Strength of Heart) through the Polygram Oslo label in Germany and Norway
. In 1992 Hughes signed with the then newly formed Now & Then Records
and his forthcoming self titled album
was the first one released on that label.
In 1996, Hughes, joined by former Dare members Vinny Burns
on guitar and Greg Morgan on drums begun working on what were to be his 3rd and 4th solo albums. The sessions quickly turned into more of a band situation and Ten
was formed.
Between The Robe
and Spellbound
albums, Gary Hughes released his third solo album named Precious Ones
. His third solo album showed a mellower side to the singer/songwriter's already multidimensional musical personality and met with critical acclaim especially in Japan. In 2002 he undertook his most ambitious project yet; the two-album wide Rock Opera
named "Once And Future King" that was based on King Arthur
's myths and legends. The albums were released within six months of each other and featured the vocal talents of many well-known musicians like Bob Catley
, Lana Lane
, Doogie White
, Danny Vaughn
and Sean Harris, among many others.
Despite his obligations for his band and his solo career, Gary Hughes wrote and produced Bob Catley
's first three solo albums, as well as Hugo's first solo release. Though he has been leading a band for over a decade, he continues to release solo albums as well as working as a songwriter, producer and musician for other artists. His latest release was the 2007 solo album named Veritas
which saw a return to the vocalist's AOR
/Melodic Rock roots, following the Once And Future King project.
Gary Hughes is currently in preparation with his band Ten
for the subsequent tour in support of the new Ten
album named Stormwarning.
He is also in talks to write and produce Bob Catley
's new solo album, an unknown female singer's solo album and a new rock opera.
Compilation albums
Live albums
Compilation albums
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
singer, songwriter and musician. Apart from his work as a solo artist, Gary Hughes is the front man and main songwriter of Hard Rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
/Melodic Rock band Ten
Ten (band)
Ten is a British hard rock/melodic rock band which was formed in 1995 by vocalist/songwriter Gary Hughes and guitarist Vinny Burns.-Formation :...
. He has also worked as a producer and songwriter for Bob Catley
Bob Catley
For the Australian politician, see Bob Catley Robert Adrian 'Bob' Catley is a British musician, perhaps best known as the lead singer of the rock band Magnum. He is also an accomplished solo artist.- Early years :...
's first three solo albums, as well as Hugo's first album and has appeared on Vinny Burns
Vinny Burns
Vinny Burns is an English hard rock guitarist best known for his work in the bands Dare and Ten. He has also been a member of Asia, Ultravox, Bob Catley, Hugo, FM, The Ladder, Phoenix Down, and on his own project with Sam Blue, Burns Blue.-External links:**...
' The Journey
The Journey (Vinny Burns album)
-Track listing:All songs written by Sam Blue/Vinny Burns except where noted.# "Irish Eyes" – 1:39# "Superstar" – 4:23# "Fire Burning" – 5:02# "Freedom" – 4:56# "This World" – 6:29# "Where You Gonna Run" – 5:57...
solo album and on the Ayreonauts Only
Ayreonauts Only
Ayreonauts Only is an Ayreon compilation album released in 2000. As the title suggests, it is a CD made primarily for fans of Ayreon, and contains demos and alternate versions of Ayreon songs...
album by the band Ayreon
Ayreon
Ayreon is a project by Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen.Ayreon's musical style derives mostly from heavy metal and progressive rock, but combines them with genres like folk, classical and electronica...
.
Biography
Gary Hughes began playing guitar at 9 years old and as he progressed he earned a scholarship to the Royal Northern College of MusicRoyal Northern College of Music
The Royal Northern College of Music is a music school in Manchester, England. It is located on Oxford Road in Chorlton on Medlock, at the western edge of the campus of the University of Manchester and is one of four conservatories associated with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music...
.
His solo musical career started in 1989 when Hughes released his first album, Big Bad Wolf (later renamed and re-released with extra tracks as Strength of Heart) through the Polygram Oslo label in Germany and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. In 1992 Hughes signed with the then newly formed Now & Then Records
Now & Then Records
Now & Then Records was a record label founded in 1992 by Mark Ashton, Bruce Mee and Peter Sims. The label based in Wigan, England released albums dealing with album-oriented rock, hard rock and melodic rock musical genres...
and his forthcoming self titled album
Gary Hughes (album)
-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "This Thing of Beauty" – 5:25# "Seducer" – 4:39# "I Won't Break Your Heart" – 4:50# "Blonde Angel" – 5:25# "Suspended Animation" – 5:04# "It Must Be Love" – 5:17# "Till the Rivers Run Dry" – 4:53...
was the first one released on that label.
In 1996, Hughes, joined by former Dare members Vinny Burns
Vinny Burns
Vinny Burns is an English hard rock guitarist best known for his work in the bands Dare and Ten. He has also been a member of Asia, Ultravox, Bob Catley, Hugo, FM, The Ladder, Phoenix Down, and on his own project with Sam Blue, Burns Blue.-External links:**...
on guitar and Greg Morgan on drums begun working on what were to be his 3rd and 4th solo albums. The sessions quickly turned into more of a band situation and Ten
Ten (band)
Ten is a British hard rock/melodic rock band which was formed in 1995 by vocalist/songwriter Gary Hughes and guitarist Vinny Burns.-Formation :...
was formed.
Between The Robe
The Robe (album)
The Robe is the third studio album released by the hard rock band Ten.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes except where noted.# "The Robe" – 9:04# "Bright On the Blade" – 4:51# "Virtual Reality" – 5:49...
and Spellbound
Spellbound (Ten album)
Spellbound is the fourth studio album released by the hard rock band Ten.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes except where noted.# "March of the Argonauts" – 2:14# "Fear the Force" – 5:36...
albums, Gary Hughes released his third solo album named Precious Ones
Precious Ones
-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "In Your Eyes" – 5:43# "Don't Ever Say Goodbye" – 6:07# "The Colours of My Life" – 5:05# "Give My Love a Try" – 5:36# "Divided We Fall" – 3:44# "The Night the Love Died" – 6:03...
. His third solo album showed a mellower side to the singer/songwriter's already multidimensional musical personality and met with critical acclaim especially in Japan. In 2002 he undertook his most ambitious project yet; the two-album wide Rock Opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
named "Once And Future King" that was based on King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
's myths and legends. The albums were released within six months of each other and featured the vocal talents of many well-known musicians like Bob Catley
Bob Catley
For the Australian politician, see Bob Catley Robert Adrian 'Bob' Catley is a British musician, perhaps best known as the lead singer of the rock band Magnum. He is also an accomplished solo artist.- Early years :...
, Lana Lane
Lana Lane
Lana Lane is a North American rock singer. She sings lead in her eponymous band, and has sung backing vocals for the band Rocket Scientists and guest sung on Ayreon and Erik Norlander albums....
, Doogie White
Doogie White
Doogie White , is a Scottish rock vocalist, who has sung for Midnight Blue, Rainbow, Cornerstone, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, Praying Mantis and Rata Blanca...
, Danny Vaughn
Danny Vaughn
Danny Vaughn is an American singer. Vaughn has performed with Waysted, Tyketto and Vaughn and now performs and releases under his own name...
and Sean Harris, among many others.
Despite his obligations for his band and his solo career, Gary Hughes wrote and produced Bob Catley
Bob Catley
For the Australian politician, see Bob Catley Robert Adrian 'Bob' Catley is a British musician, perhaps best known as the lead singer of the rock band Magnum. He is also an accomplished solo artist.- Early years :...
's first three solo albums, as well as Hugo's first solo release. Though he has been leading a band for over a decade, he continues to release solo albums as well as working as a songwriter, producer and musician for other artists. His latest release was the 2007 solo album named Veritas
Veritas (Gary Hughes)
Veritas is the sixth studio album released by Gary Hughes, which was released in 2007.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "Veritas" – 4:45# "See Love Through My Eyes" – 4:32# "In My Head" – 4:20# "Time to Pray" – 4:56...
which saw a return to the vocalist's AOR
Album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists.-Music played:Most radio formats are based on a select, tight rotation of hit singles...
/Melodic Rock roots, following the Once And Future King project.
Gary Hughes is currently in preparation with his band Ten
Ten (band)
Ten is a British hard rock/melodic rock band which was formed in 1995 by vocalist/songwriter Gary Hughes and guitarist Vinny Burns.-Formation :...
for the subsequent tour in support of the new Ten
Ten (band)
Ten is a British hard rock/melodic rock band which was formed in 1995 by vocalist/songwriter Gary Hughes and guitarist Vinny Burns.-Formation :...
album named Stormwarning.
He is also in talks to write and produce Bob Catley
Bob Catley
For the Australian politician, see Bob Catley Robert Adrian 'Bob' Catley is a British musician, perhaps best known as the lead singer of the rock band Magnum. He is also an accomplished solo artist.- Early years :...
's new solo album, an unknown female singer's solo album and a new rock opera.
Solo albums
- Big Bad Wolf (1989)
- Strength of Heart (1992)
- Gary HughesGary Hughes (album)-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "This Thing of Beauty" – 5:25# "Seducer" – 4:39# "I Won't Break Your Heart" – 4:50# "Blonde Angel" – 5:25# "Suspended Animation" – 5:04# "It Must Be Love" – 5:17# "Till the Rivers Run Dry" – 4:53...
(1992) - Precious OnesPrecious Ones-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "In Your Eyes" – 5:43# "Don't Ever Say Goodbye" – 6:07# "The Colours of My Life" – 5:05# "Give My Love a Try" – 5:36# "Divided We Fall" – 3:44# "The Night the Love Died" – 6:03...
(1998) - Once and Future King Part IOnce and Future King Part I-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "Excalibur" – 6:22# "Dragon Island Cathedral" – 6:03# "At the End of Day" – 4:30# "The Reason Why" – 4:36# "Shapeshifter" – 4:45# "King for a Day" – 4:47# "Avalon" – 4:00# "Sinner" – 5:01# "In Flames" – 5:03...
(2003) - Once and Future King Part IIOnce and Future King Part II-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "Kill the King" – 5:51# "There by the Grace of the Gods " – 5:10# "I Still Love You " – 4:06# "Oceans of Tears" – 4:30# "Rise from the Shadows" – 3:44# "Believe Enough to Fight" – 5:02...
(2003) - VeritasVeritas (Gary Hughes)Veritas is the sixth studio album released by Gary Hughes, which was released in 2007.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "Veritas" – 4:45# "See Love Through My Eyes" – 4:32# "In My Head" – 4:20# "Time to Pray" – 4:56...
(2007)
Compilation albums
- The ReissuesThe ReissuesThe Reissues is a compilation album released by Gary Hughes. The double compact disc contains the second and third Gary Hughes albums plus the bonus tracks as noted below...
(2000) (Re-Issue of Gary HughesGary Hughes (album)-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "This Thing of Beauty" – 5:25# "Seducer" – 4:39# "I Won't Break Your Heart" – 4:50# "Blonde Angel" – 5:25# "Suspended Animation" – 5:04# "It Must Be Love" – 5:17# "Till the Rivers Run Dry" – 4:53...
and Precious OnesPrecious Ones-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "In Your Eyes" – 5:43# "Don't Ever Say Goodbye" – 6:07# "The Colours of My Life" – 5:05# "Give My Love a Try" – 5:36# "Divided We Fall" – 3:44# "The Night the Love Died" – 6:03...
)
Ten
Studio albums and EP's- TenTen (Ten album)-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes except where noted.# "The Crusades/It's All About Love" – 8:06 # "After the Love Has Gone" – 5:27# "Yesterday Lies In the Flames" – 5:06# "The Torch" – 5:25# "Stay With Me" – 5:52...
(1996) - The Name of the RoseThe Name of the Rose (album)The Name of the Rose is the second studio album released by the hard rock band Ten.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes except where noted.# "The Name of the Rose" – 8:31# "Wildest Dreams" – 5:33# "Don't Cry" – 5:00# "Turn Around" – 3:52...
(1996) - The Name of the RoseThe Name of the Rose (EP)The Name of the Rose is the first EP released by the hard rock band Ten. The compact disc was officially released only in Asian markets.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "The Name of the Rose" – 6:15...
EP (1996) - The RobeThe Robe (album)The Robe is the third studio album released by the hard rock band Ten.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes except where noted.# "The Robe" – 9:04# "Bright On the Blade" – 4:51# "Virtual Reality" – 5:49...
(1997) - The RobeThe Robe (EP)The Robe is the second EP released by the hard rock band Ten. The compact disc was officially released only in Asian markets.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes except where noted.# "The Robe" – 6:15# "Warpath" – 3:50...
EP (1997) - You're In My HeartYou're in My Heart (EP)You're In My Heart is the third EP released by the hard rock band Ten. The compact disc was officially released only in Asian markets.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes except where noted.# "You're In My Heart" – 5:33...
EP (1997) - SpellboundSpellbound (Ten album)Spellbound is the fourth studio album released by the hard rock band Ten.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes except where noted.# "March of the Argonauts" – 2:14# "Fear the Force" – 5:36...
(1999) - Fear the ForceFear the ForceFear the Force is the fourth EP released by the hard rock band Ten. The compact disc was officially released only in Asian markets.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes except where noted.# "Fear the Force" – 5:37...
EP (1999) - BabylonBabylon (Ten album)Babylon is the fifth studio album released by the hard rock band Ten.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "The Stranger" – 7:20# "Barricade" – 5:22# "Give in This Time" – 5:24# "Love Became the Law" – 4:41# "The Heat" – 5:41...
(2000) - Far Beyond the WorldFar Beyond the WorldFar Beyond the World is the sixth studio album released by the hard rock band Ten in 2001. It was the last Ten album that featured founding member guitarist Vinny Burns.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "Scarlet and the Grey" – 5:29...
(2001) - Return to EvermoreReturn to EvermoreReturn to Evermore is the seventh studio album released by the hard rock band Ten in 2004. It was the first Ten album that featured new lead guitarist Chris Francis.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "Apparition" – 8:34...
2004) - The Essential Collection 1995-2005The Essential Collection 1995-2005The Essential Collection 1995-2005 is a compilation studio album released by the hard rock band Ten. The double compact disc is a re-recording of songs from the Ten catalog, the original versions being available on previous releases...
(2005) - The Twilight ChroniclesThe Twilight ChroniclesThe Twilight Chronicles is the eighth studio album released by the hard rock band Ten.-Track listing:All songs written by Gary Hughes.# "The Prologue /Rome" – 12:19# "The Chronicles" – 6:43# "The Elysian Fields" – 6:49...
(2006) - Stormwarning (2011)
Live albums
- Never Say Goodbye (1998)
Compilation albums
- Ten/The Name of the RoseTen/The Name of the RoseTen/The Name of the Rose is a compilation album released by the hard rock band Ten. The double compact disc contains the first two Ten albums plus the bonus tracks 11-13 on disc one.-Disc one-Ten:...
(1999) - The Robe/Bonus CollectionThe Robe/Bonus CollectionThe Robe/Bonus Collection is a compilation album released by the hard rock band Ten. The double compact disc contains the third Ten studio album plus a separate disc of tracks previously unavailable on the original studio albums.-Disc one-The Robe:...
(1999) - The Best of Ten 1996-1999The Best of Ten 1996-1999The Best of Ten 1996-1999 is a compilation album released by the hard rock band Ten. The double compact disc was officially released only in Asian markets.-Disc one:# "The Name of the Rose" – 8:33# "After the Love Has Gone" – 5:26...
(1999)
Bob Catley
- The Tower (1998)
- LegendsLegends (Bob Catley album)Legends is the second solo studio album by Bob Catley, released by Frontiers Records in 1999.The albums songs are based on legendary characters and literature, .- Track listing :...
(1999) - Middle EarthMiddle Earth (album)Middle Earth is the third solo studio album by Bob Catley, released by Frontiers Records in 2000.The album draws upon J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings for inspiration...
(2001)