Black Country Communion
English-American hard rock supergroup formed in 2009.
Black Country Communion is a hard rock supergroup with members from England and America, based in Los Angeles. The band came together in 2009, bringing together bassist and lead singer Glenn Hughes, guitarist and occasional vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham, and keyboardist Derek Sherinian. Their music deliberately echoes the classic rock sound of the 1970s, a nod to the past work of Hughes (with Trapeze and Deep Purple) and the link between Bonham and his father John Bonham’s band, Led Zeppelin.
The project began in November 2009 after Hughes and Bonamassa played an impromptu set together. Their producer, Kevin Shirley, suggested they bring in Bonham and Sherinian to round out the lineup. The band’s name comes from the Black Country, a region in England’s West Midlands where Hughes and Bonham grew up. After some time playing together, they released their first album, *Black Country Communion*, in 2010. A second album, *Black Country Communion 2*, came out the next year and was supported by the group’s first tour of the US and Europe. Their third album, *Afterglow*, followed in 2012. Early in 2013, Bonamassa left the band, and Black Country Communion broke up; Hughes and Bonham soon formed a new group called California Breed. In 2016, Hughes and Bonamassa made up, and the band reunited. A fourth album, *BCCIV*, arrived in 2017. The group released its fifth album, *V*, in 2024.
**History**
**2009–10: Formation and debut album**
Hughes and Bonamassa first met at the 2006 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, and later jammed together at Hughes’ Hollywood studio, discussing the idea of making music together down the line. That same year, Bonamassa worked with Jason Bonham, who played drums on Bonamassa’s fifth studio album *You & Me* at the suggestion of producer and mutual friend Kevin Shirley. In November 2009, Hughes and Bonamassa reunited for a performance at the House of Blues in Los Angeles for Guitar Center, and it was then they decided to form a new band. Shirley suggested they recruit Bonham and keyboardist Derek Sherinian to complete the lineup; the group briefly considered adding a second guitarist instead of a keyboardist.
The four musicians played together for the first time during the encore of a Bonamassa solo show in Riverside, California, on March 17, 2010. They performed the song “One Last Soul” and a cover of Deep Purple’s “Mistre
- formed
- 2009
- origin
- Los Angeles, California, United States
- genre
- Hard rock
- members
- Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, Derek Sherinian
- notable_albums
- Black Country Communion (2010), Black Country Communion 2 (2011), Afterglow (2012), BCCIV (2017), V (2024)
Lore & Background
The band originated after Hughes and Bonamassa performed an impromptu jam together at the House of Blues in Los Angeles in November 2009. That jam, not a formal band performance, inspired producer Kevin Shirley to suggest recruiting Bonham and Sherinian to complete the lineup (initially considering a second guitarist instead of a keyboardist). The name Black Country Communion derives from the Black Country area of the West Midlands, England, where Hughes and Bonham grew up. The group faced legal issues with a Baltimore band over the name 'Black Country,' eventually buying the rights for less than the demanded $500,000, but by then they had settled on the longer moniker.
The four musicians played together publicly for the first time as Black Country Communion during the encore of a Bonamassa solo show in Riverside, California, on March 17, 2010. They performed the song “One Last Soul” and a cover of Deep Purple’s “Mistreated.”
Black Country Communion released its self-titled debut album in 2010, followed by Black Country Communion 2 in 2011, which was promoted on the band's first tour of the US and Europe.
Reader's Guide
Black Country Communion's significance lies in its revival of 1970s-style hard rock through a supergroup of established musicians. The band's debut album reached number 13 on the UK Albums Chart and topped the UK Rock Albums Chart, winning Planet Rock awards for Band of the Year and Best New Band. Their second album sold over 8,000 copies in its first week in the US, and the group won the Classic Rock award for Breakthrough Act of the Year. Despite internal conflicts that led to a temporary breakup, the band's reunion and continued output demonstrate enduring appeal. Their sound, intentionally reminiscent of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin, connects modern audiences with classic rock traditions. The band's legacy includes five studio albums and a live video album, Live Over Europe, reflecting their impact on the hard rock genre.
Did You Know?
- The band's name was nearly 'Black Country' but was changed due to a legal threat from a Baltimore band demanding $500,000.
- The group's first performance together was during an encore at a Joe Bonamassa solo show in Riverside, California on March 17, 2010.
- Black Country Communion won Planet Rock awards for Band of the Year and Best New Band in 2010.
- After the band's breakup in 2013, Hughes and Bonham formed California Breed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Black Country Communion?
Black Country Communion is an English-American hard rock supergroup based in Los Angeles, featuring Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian. The band channels a classic 1970s rock feel while operating as a modern hard rock outfit.
How did Black Country Communion get started?
The project was sparked in November 2009 when Glenn Hughes and Joe Bonamassa played an impromptu jam together. That spontaneous performance convinced them to build a full band around their shared love of classic rock.
What albums has Black Country Communion released?
The band has issued five studio albums to date: their self-titled debut in 2010, Black Country Communion 2 in 2011, Afterglow in 2012, BCCIV in 2017, and V in 2024.
Why is Black Country Communion called a supergroup?
Every member carries a heavyweight rock pedigree—Hughes from Deep Purple, Bonamassa as a celebrated solo guitarist, Bonham as the son of Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, and Sherinian from Dream Theater. The lineup is essentially a gathering of established legends rather than a typical new band.
What makes Black Country Communion's sound distinctive?
The group deliberately evokes the heavy, groove-driven rock of the 1970s, drawing on Hughes' work with Trapeze and Deep Purple as well as the Bonham-Zeppelin lineage. Their music sits squarely in hard rock territory while feeling like a tribute to that earlier era.
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