A band featuring four veteran heavy hitters of British and American hard rock, Black Country Communion are rooted in an alliance between bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) and blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa. At the suggestion of engineer and producer Kevin Shirley, journeyman drummer Jason Bonham and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) were invited to join, and both obliged. The quartet recorded its first album, Black Country Communion, during early 2010 and had it issued that September on J&R Adventures. Upon release, it charted in the U.K. Top 20 and the U.S. Top 60. The band quickly got to work on writing material for a second album and plotted a 2011 tour. The resulting 2, which reunited the group with producer Shirley, arrived that June.
In February 2012, the band released its first concert album, followed later that year with its third studio effort, Afterglow. After the album’s release, Bonamassa announced that he had parted ways with the band, a decision that ultimately resulted in the rest of the members calling it quits. Subsequently, Bonham and Hughes formed California Breed. In 2017, Black Country Communion reunited for their fourth studio album, BCCIV. Recorded at The Cave Studios in Malibu with Kevin Shirley, the album featured the single “Collide.”
Now, in 2024—Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian come together to release new music for the first time in seven years.
Black Country Communion announces the upcoming release of their highly anticipated fifth studio album, V, available worldwide on June 14. To celebrate, fans are treated to the immediate release of the album’s heavy funk lead single, “Stay Free,” out now on all major streaming platforms.
Produced by longtime collaborator Kevin Shirley, V marks a monumental chapter in the band’s career, “embodying a renewed spirit and an evolution of their unmistakable sound.” Shirley captures the essence of the band’s journey, stating, “For a band that started out as a collection of the best practitioners of their instruments, they very quickly found a unique sound. This time around, it has more purpose, the riffs are tougher, and there are hooks! Yes, hooks! It’s the most cohesive record, full of soul and grit, and I think this is the one that’s going to be the benchmark for Black Country Communion.” Glenn agrees, “In my opinion, we had the best time recording this record at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, tons of fun & a magical recording. Meet you inside the Music.”
Sacramento’s K-ZAP 93.3 FM plays Black Country Communion. All part of 50 years of Rock, Blues and More, 24-7 on our station’s stream at K-ZAP.ORG/LISTEN/
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