Glenn Hughes recently reflected on the creation of Black Sabbath’s Seventh Star album during an appearance on the Scars and Guitars podcast.
When asked about his experience working on the album with Tony Iommi, Hughes revealed a surprising detail: it was never intended to be a Black Sabbath record, but label pressure forced it into that category.
According to Hughes (as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar), Seventh Star was originally conceived as Iommi’s solo album.
“Tony and I have been friends since 1970, and it was bound to happen that we’d work together eventually. When I joined the project, it was called the ‘Tony Iommi solo album,'” Hughes explained.
However, the album’s direction shifted when Iommi’s manager, Don Arden (father of Sharon Osbourne), insisted it be branded as a Black Sabbath release, despite Iommi’s resistance.
“Tony wasn’t happy about it, and I wasn’t really writing those kinds of lyrics either,” Hughes admitted. “Still, I enjoyed making the album, regardless of what it was called.”
Released in 1986, Seventh Star clearly diverged from traditional Sabbath material. Iommi had ventured into hard rock and blues territory, exploring new creative avenues instead of staying true to Black Sabbath’s iconic sound.
By the time of the album’s release, Iommi was the only remaining original member of the band, making the project feel more like a solo effort than a true Black Sabbath record.
During the interview, Hughes also shared his thoughts on working with new people. He revealed that he feels uncomfortable collaborating with strangers and prefers to make music with friends and trusted individuals.
“I don’t particularly want to work with people if they’re acting strange or distant. It just doesn’t work for me. I have to be friends with someone to work with them now. Walking into a cold situation is not my style,” Hughes stated.
He continued, explaining that he carefully chooses projects based on the people involved and the potential for a positive experience.
“I always figure out if it’s going to be a good thing for me—a learning curve, a new challenge, or another chance to play with my friends. That’s how I make decisions, and I think that’s the best way to go.”
Hughes’ reflections offer a behind-the-scenes look at Seventh Star and provide insight into his collaborative process.
Although the album ended up under the Black Sabbath name, it’s clear from Hughes’ account that it was always intended to be something different—a Tony Iommi solo project that reflected a new direction.
