ON THIS DAY IN 1974 - DAVID BOWIE WATCHED HOLD ON TAKE SHAPE AND INVITED GLENN HUGHES ONTO YOUNG AMERICANS

ON THIS DAY IN 1974 — DAVID BOWIE WATCHED “HOLD ON” TAKE SHAPE AND INVITED GLENN HUGHES ONTO YOUNG AMERICANS 🌪️

Deep Purple released Stormbringer on November 8, 1974, but one of the album’s most fascinating stories unfolded inside the studio, where two very different musical worlds briefly crossed paths.

During the Stormbringer sessions at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, David Bowie visited Glenn Hughes and was present while Deep Purple worked on “Hold On.” 🎙️ Hughes has recalled Bowie being alongside him as the vocals were recorded — an extraordinary observer for a track that highlighted the soulful, funk-driven direction emerging within the band.

“Hold On” came from an idea by keyboardist Jon Lord and was credited to Lord, Hughes, David Coverdale and Ian Paice. Its groove placed it firmly on the side of Stormbringer that moved beyond Deep Purple’s established hard-rock attack, bringing Hughes’ R&B instincts closer to the surface. ⚡

Bowie was developing Young Americans during this period and subsequently invited Hughes to sing on the album. It could have created a remarkable bridge between Deep Purple’s changing sound and Bowie’s own exploration of soul. ✨

But the appearance never happened.

According to Hughes, Ritchie Blackmore advised him not to accept the invitation and strongly opposed the proposed collaboration. Hughes followed that advice and did not record for Young Americans. 🎸

The moment remains one of rock’s great almost-stories: Bowie witnessing “Hold On” in progress, recognizing something in Hughes’ voice and offering him a place in his next musical transformation. The collaboration disappeared, but the possibility still hangs around the song — a tantalizing glimpse of two paths that came close to becoming one.

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