It’s a pleasure to catch up with the Beast from the North East, sensational drummer, KYLE HUGHES, ahead of his show, tonight’s at the Islington Assembly Hall, it’s June 26th, and he’s currently on tour with American guitar maestro Richie Kotzen and bassist Dylan Wilson.
Having met after a show in Wolverhampton in January 2023, Kyle was touring with Rainbow legend Graham Bonnet, it’s been a battle to get things lined up so we can finally meet again for that long overdue chat about Kyle’s meteoric rise to being the drummer of the moment.
Tonight, Kyle, has taken time out from a busy evening to take in a Vietnamese meal and have a chat. The compact seating makes video chatting impossible, so we decide to just chat and see what comes out.
Manny, Thanks for taking the time to meet up, Kyle.
Kyle Hughes, No problem at all! Always happy to chat.
Manny, So, let’s start right at the beginning, which I suppose is the best way. What got you into drumming? What age did you start? What were your influences and choices that led you to take up the drums?
Kyle Hughes, I was around 6 years old when I started playing the drums. I think I was nine when I went to my first big show. I believe it was Thin Lizzy with John Sykes. I went with my dad, and at the time I saw Tommy Aldridge do a drum solo. At that moment I thought “That’s exactly what I want to do.” It was like a lightbulb moment.
Manny, So, around nine years old, you knew drumming was your path?
Kyle Hughes, exactly. From nine years old onwards, it was serious. It all started when I got up and played at my grandmother’s retirement party. I played the song “Walking by Myself” by Gary Moore. By eleven, I was playing gigs, going to pubs and clubs with my dad. Around thirteen, I joined my dad’s band. It was an automatic process—learning the ropes, paying my dues.
Manny, were you playing at home or in school bands when you were starting out?
Kyle Hughes, At the age of 6, I was just playing at home, in my bedroom. The real experience came from gigging in the pubs and clubs with my dad’s band. By 17, I was playing professionally full-time.
Manny, and now you’re touring with Richie Kotzen. How did that collaboration come about?
Kyle Hughes, it was my good friend and Bass player for RK, Dylan Wilson who recommended me for the gig. Richie, Dylan and I got together for a jam in December and it was after that Richie invited me to join his tour. It’s been an incredible experience, playing with these fellas.
Manny, what’s it like touring with Richie Kotzen compared to other artists you’ve worked with?
Kyle Hughes, every artist has their own style and way of working. Richie is very meticulous and has so many layers as a musician. Playing in the RK trio was a really fun challenge for me, there are so many different styles of music infused into this power trio. I’m grateful and honored to be a part of it and touring with Richie has definitely been a highlight of my career.
Manny, you’ve also worked with other legendary musicians like Ron Thal, aka ‘Bumblefoot,’ and Marco Mendoza. How did those collaborations come about, and what were they like?
Kyle Hughes, working with Ron was an amazing experience. He is an incredible musician and a FANTASTIC person to work with and be around. I am truly honored to know Bumblefoot and call him a friend. I can’t wait for everyone to hear the new album which is coming VERY SOON. Ron’s playing is off the map, it’s crazy!
Similarly, playing with Marco Mendoza was a blast. Marco has this incredible groove and feel. Again, another musician I have so much respect for. We travelled all over the place and I’m grateful for him taking me out on the road. Both of these collaborations taught me so much about musicianship and performing at a high level.
Manny, you’ve had the chance to play with some legendary musicians. How do you stay grounded and continue to grow as an artist?
Kyle Hughes, staying grounded comes from remembering where I started and the support I’ve had from my family and friends. As for growth, I always strive to learn and improve. Whether it’s practicing new techniques or listening to different genres, there’s always something new to explore in music.
Manny, what advice would you give to aspiring drummers looking to make their mark in the industry?
Kyle Hughes, putting in the time and working hard is of course very important, knowing your location (London, Los Angeles, New York) and trusting the process. Enjoy the journey!
Manny, What’s next for you after this tour?
Kyle Hughes, after this tour, I plan to take a little week break to recharge and spend time with family and friends. However, I’m also eager to get back into the studio and work on new music. There are a few exciting projects in the pipeline that I can’t talk about just yet, but they involve some collaborations that I’m really looking forward to. Stay tuned!
Manny, your journey has been truly inspiring. Before we wrap up, could you share a memorable moment from your career that stands out to you?
Kyle Hughes, there are so many, but one moment in particular that stands out was opening for ZZ top on this tour with RK. The venue was amazing and the band was on fire. There was something about that show that was special.
Manny, it’s been wonderful chatting with you. Thanks for sharing your journey and insights with us. We look forward to seeing more of your incredible work in the future.
Kyle Hughes, Thank you! It’s been a pleasure. See you at the show!
With that Kyle makes sure I get into the venue and then leaves to get ready; we are just 30 minutes away from the show. With this being the final night of the European leg, the fans in tonight were treated to a special guest, as the last song of the show, Ritchie, Dylan and Kyle were joined on stage by the legend that is Adrian Smith, they jammed a sensational version of “Shapes of Things,” that classic track made famous by the Yardbirds and taken to the next level by the late Gary Moore.
A great finish to a legendary night. A big thank you to Kyle for taking time out from his busy schedule, and making this happen. Cheers Brother.
