I heard the Beatles and the Stones, and Mom bought me an electric guitar. I played lead for four years and then switched to bass. One day someone suggested that I should sing, so I sheepishly stepped up to the microphone and the rest is rock history.

Released on edel records on 17 November 2007 is Live in Australia an acoustic CD and companion DVD of a performance at Sydney's famous "Basement" club. He has cited acts like Marvin Gaye Sly and the Family Stone and Stevie Wonder as influences. The band has released three albums as of October 2012.

In addition to being an active session musician Hughes also maintains a notable solo career and currently fronts the supergroup Black Country Communion. III and IV line-ups of Deep Purple as well as briefly fronting Black Sabbath in the mid-1980s.