Overview
- Hughes said he is home after a 10‑hour open‑heart operation and an eight‑day hospital stay at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, according to a message he posted on social media.
- He reported that surgeons opened his chest to address problems with the heart’s muscles, valves or arteries during the lengthy procedure.
- Hughes announced his retirement from touring in August after MRIs, CT scans and an echocardiogram showed he needed another open‑heart surgery, and the decision has led to multiple canceled shows.
- His last live appearance was on August 1 with Kings of Chaos and a planned October 2 Purple Daisies show in Agoura Hills was canceled because of his retirement from live performance.
- Hughes has a six‑decade career that includes Deep Purple and Black Country Communion, a solo album Chosen released in September 2025, and he used his update to thank supporters and ask for kindness from fans.