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1994-10-02
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77 lines
WHITESNAKE
line up: David Coverdale (vocals)
Adrian Vandenberg (guitar)
Steve Vai (guitar)
Rudy Sarzo (bass)
Tommy Aldridge (drums)
Whitesnake is founded in 1978 by ex-Deep Purple singer David Coverdale, who has
already released two solo albums by then: "Whitesnake" on which he's
supported by Micky Moody (ex-Juicy Luice: guitar), John Lord (ex-Deep Purple:
keyboards), Bernie Marsden (ex-Babe Ruth: guitar), David Dowle (ex-Gillan:
drums) and Neil Murray (ex-Coloseum II: bass) and the album "Northwinds", with
Tim Hinkley (keyboards), Alan spencer (bass), Tony Newman (drums), Micky Moody
(guitar) and Graham Preskett (violin). When in 1979 the album "Trouble" is
released, he's got a real band, with the same line up as on his first solo
album. Drummer David Doyle is soon replaced by Ian Paice (ex-Deep Purple) and
the result is the good "Lovehunter". Coverdale, influenced by blues, works many
elements of the old masters into his songs. End of '79 an EP is released with
a song from the Bobby 'Blue' Band: "Ain't no Love in the Heart of the City".
In 1980 he writes "Fool for your Loving", meant for B.B. King. Whitesnake
decides to record it themselves and it becomes even a hit in England. The fifth
album, "Ready and Willing" is released in the same year. Also released in the
same year is a (great) live double-album, of which one half was already release
d
in Japan, two years before. But all in all Whitesnake doesn't succeed to get
musically and commercial beyond Deep Purple. After "Come and Get it" the
problems start. The very good "Saints and Sinners" is yet recorded with the old
line up, but now this line up doesn't hold anymore. New ones are Cozy Powell
(ex-Rainbow, MSG: drums), Colin Hodgkinson (bass) and Mel Galley (ex-Trapeze:
guitar). Live the band has enormous success, but selling records is difficult.
Coverdale notices a gap in the American market and signs a deal with Geffen.
His strategy on "Slide it in" succeeds just partially, although the album is
re-recorded (with new band members John Sykes (Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy:
guitar) and, back again, Neil Murray) specially for the American market. The
American tour is a success, but again dark clouds appear: John Lord leaves the
band, to join the Deep Purple reunion and Cozy Powell becomes the P. in the
refounded EL&P. He still plays live some gigs, untill his replacement, Mel
Galley, fractures his hand and cannot play for 18 months. Whitesnake seems
dead, but this is not true. Drummer Ansly Dunbar (ex-Journey, Jefferson
Starship) joins the three left over (Sykes, Coverdale, Murray). THe fans have
to wait four years for a new album (also due to Coverdales's problems with his
voice), but the result is worth it. With '1987' Whitesnake releases their best
and hardest album. With flashing guitarplay of Sykes, tight smashing drums of
Dunbar and a very good production. Compositions are all good and the record is
especcially in America a big hit. Before this Sykes Murray and Dunbar have left
the band. Coverdale has little trouble finding a new spectacular line up:
guitarplayer Vivian Campbell (ex-Dio, Sweet Savage), bassplayer Rudy Sarzo
(ex-Quiet Riot, Ozzy), drummer Tommy Aldridge (ex-Ozzy, Pat Travers, Black Oak
Arkansas, Driver) and last but not least the Dutch (!) Adrian Vandenberg
(ex-Vandenberg, Teaser). The tour in America is a big success, but when
arriving in Europe, Coverdale has again medical problems and concerts have to
be cancelled. In 1989 Vivian Campbell leaves the band. According to Coverdale,
because 'his wife made him complain about payment'. He's replaced by Steve Vai
and with producer Bruce Fairbairn (Bon Jovi, Loverboy) a new album is recorded,
"Slip of the Tongue", a new instant success....
albums: Whitesnake (Vogue '77)
Northwinds (EMI '78)
Trouble (EMI '78)
Lovehunter (EMI '79)
Ready and Willing (EMI '80)
Live... in the Heart of the City (EMI '80)
Come and Get it (EMI '81)
Saints and Sinners (Liberty '81)
Slide it in (Geffen '83)
1987 (EMI '87)
Slip of the Tongue (EMI '89)
video: Fourplay
Live at Donnington '83
Trilogy
.