Bernie Marsden, the original guitarist for the English hard rock band Whitesnake, died “peacefully” on August 24, according to his family’s social media statement. He was 72. Marsden was most known for his four-year stint with Whitesnake, which began in 1978 and concluded in 1982.
David Coverdale, the leader of Whitesnake, paid tribute to his former bandmate and co-writer on social media. “I’ve just woken up to the awful news that my old friend and former Snake Bernie Marsden has passed,” he wrote.
“My heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to his cherished family, friends, and fans.” A genuinely amusing, talented man with whom I was honoured to share the stage.”
Marsden, who was born on May 7, 1951, in Buckingham, England, cut his teeth in many British rock bands during his teens and early twenties.
In the early 1970s, he briefly worked with UFO and Cosy Powell’s Hammer before joining Paice Ashton Lord, which included Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice and organist Jon Lord.
Marsden appears on the band’s sole studio album, Malice in Wonderland, released in 1977.
The next year, Marsden formed Whitesnake with Coverdale, who had recently left Deep Purple after a three-year stay. He appeared on their first five studio albums, from 1980’s Saints & Sinners through 1982’s Saints & Sinners, as well as the 1980 live album Live… in the Heart of the City.
Most notably, Marsden and Coverdale collaborated on Saints & Sinners’ “Here I Go Again,” which went on to become a chart-topping hit upon its rerelease in 1987.
Marsden quit Whitesnake during the recording of Saints & Sinners because Coverdale was cleaning house due to financial, managerial, and familial issues.
Alaska was his first band, and he later rejoined with ex-Whitesnake guitarist Micky Moody in the Moody Marsden Band and the Snakes. Marsden has also recorded a continuous stream of solo albums and has appeared on numerous other records throughout the years.
Marsden eventually reconciled with Coverdale and included him on a rendition of Whitesnake’s “Trouble” on his 2014 album Shine. In a 2015 interview with UCR, the guitarist reflected on Whitesnake’s turbulent early days.
“Two albums every year.” “When I look at it now, I wonder, ‘How did we do that?'” he remarked. “There comes a time when you have to say, ‘We’ve got to take a break,’ and Saints & Sinners was that time.”
The more work they piled on us, instead of bringing us closer together, it kind of broke us apart. So what is truly beneficial to you may end up hurting you. But by that point, we’d had a terrific time.”
Whitesnake Rock Band
Whitesnake is a British rock band formed in 1978 by former Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale. The band is known for its hard rock and glam metal style, often characterized by catchy melodies, powerful vocals, and memorable guitar riffs. Whitesnake gained significant popularity in the 1980s with a string of successful albums and hit singles.
Some of Whitesnake’s most famous songs include:
- “Here I Go Again” – This song is one of their signature tracks and became a massive hit, reaching the top of the charts in the US in 1987.
- “Is This Love” – Another highly successful single that showcases their melodic hard rock sound.
- “Still of the Night” – Known for its bluesy guitar riffs and powerful vocals, this song is often considered one of Whitesnake’s best.
- “Love Ain’t No Stranger” – A track that captures the band’s blend of rock and blues influences.
- “Fool for Your Loving” – Originally released in the late 1970s, the song was re-recorded in the 1980s with a more polished sound and gained renewed popularity.
Whitesnake’s lineup has changed over the years, but the band’s founder and lead vocalist, David Coverdale, has remained a constant presence. The band’s music has gone through various phases, from blues rock to the more commercial sound they embraced in the 1980s. They’ve released numerous albums over the years, with varying levels of success, and have maintained a dedicated fan base.
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