Drummer Kyle’s living the rock ‘n’ roll dream

AT 21, MUSICIAN IS PERFORMING ACROSS WORLD

Reporter HE’S been playing drums since he was six but this Geordie musician is now rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous as he performs on stages across the world.

Kyle Hughes is impressing musicians around the globe and has now been featured in Drumhead – the prestigious drum magazine in America.

The 21-year-old rocker has already made an impact in the world of music, performing on the same stage as Jools Holland, Simple Minds, Scouting for Girls, Texas, Adam Ant and the Jacksons.

And he’s now the current drummer for guitar legend Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, of Sons of Apollo and formerly of Guns N Roses, and Marco Mendoza, earlier of Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, as well as recording and performing for various artists worldwide.

“I started playing the drums at age six on a small drum set in the house and to be honest it wasn’t until later on when I performed live for the first time at the age of nine that I really fell in love with the drums,” said Kyle, of Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

“It was that feeling of being in a rock band and performing on stage that just blew me away and changed what I wanted to do in life.

“After that very first performance I decided to take up drumming full time and began being taught the drums professionally. I would practise religiously every day for hours and hours and at one point I didn’t even go out with any friends because all I wanted to do was play the drums. It was a very important time for me but I knew it was all going to be worth it in the end.

“And after two years of solid practice and determination, my dad asked me to join his band ‘We3Colonels’ and it was from there where I really learned my craft in the pubs and clubs.

“I had two to three years of good training in the local music scene but, at age 15, all that training was put to the test when I joined my very first original band Twister. While all of this was going on I was studying at Whickham Comprehensive School who supported me quite a lot when I began touring. Balancing homework and GCSEs was one unique experience for sure.”

After touring with Twister, Kyle met up with Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal at the O2 Academy in Newcastle and bigger doors Drummer Kyle Hughes, 21, of Rowlands Gill, Gateshead started to open for him. He later joined the guitar legend and he’s never looked back. Kyle, who is studying a BA (Hons) in performing Industries at the Academy of Music and Sound in Gateshead, added: “Since that gig I have performed on European tour with Bumblefoot and even performed on the West Coast of the USA with him. Last year, one of the biggest gigs of my life took place on Broadway in New York. Bumblefoot live at the world-famous ‘Iridium’ was by far the most amazing gig I’ve every played in my career so KYLE HUGHES far.”

Kyle added: “Throughout all these adventures I just keep going and always try my best to remain humble and grateful for all the amazing experiences I’ve had so far.”

More tour dates are planned for 2019. Visit http://kylehughesdrummer.co.uk/