Things I did NOT know about Bernie Marsden, the band UFO, OR Whitesnake.

[topekatj]

I just finished listening to Joe Bona-Mastuh’s  Live From Nerdsville podcast interview with Bernie Marsden and have to admit to knowing very little about the guy beforehand.

I like to say “I run the risk of learning something every day “. I thought I knew something about most of the late ‘60’s/ early ‘70’s British guitar players, but not Bernie.

Consider:

In 1974 Bernie bought his esteemed ‘59 Burst (The Beast) from Free’s Paul Kossoff, who got it in a prior trade with Eric Clapton.

Bernie was a guitarist for UFO from Nov. ‘72 to June ‘73. When Bernie forgot his passport and couldn’t enter the country for a 1973 UFO gig in Germany in support of the Scorpions, UFO tapped then-Scorpion Michael Schenker to play the gig with them that night. And the rest, as they say, is History!

When Deep Purple disintegrated in 1976, Bernie cofounded “PAL” with Ian Paige, Jon Lord and Tony Ashton (I need to check them out).

In 1978 Bernie cofounded Whitesnake with David Coverdale. Together they co-wrote the global Whitesnake hit “Here I Go”. Two versions of the song were released on separate Whitesnake albums. The first version (That Bernie played on) appears on the ‘82 album “Saints and Sinners”, but at David Geffen’s urging, Coverdale recorded a second version (the HIT version for the ‘87 album “1987”. This version ( the MTV version) Features Adrian Vadenterd on lead guitar.

see below for photos of THE BEAST and a very happy Bernie (guess I’d be happy too if I had a burst and #1 hit!
 

Bernie wrote a biography (Where’s my guitar).which I’ve just received but haven’t started. There were some inexpensive like-new copies are available on eBay for @ $15- delivered. But they now appear to be sold out.

You’re welcome.

[donner]

+1 for "Where's my Guitar?"

Very well & entertainingly written, astonishing facts and details about a very humble man amidst one of the most exciting times of musical history in his own words.

Also, watch these 2 Anderton's interviews with Bernie

 

[RobB]

10 hours ago, topekatj said:

Together they co-wrote the global Whitesnake hit “Here I Go”. Two versions of the song were released on separate Whitesnake albums. The first version (That Bernie played on) appears on the ‘82 album “Saints and Sinners”, but at David Geffen’s urging, Coverdale recorded a second version (the HIT version for the ‘87 album “1987”. This version ( the MTV version) Features Adrian Vadenterd on lead guitar.

John Sykes. Dan Huff is rumored to have played the outro solo. 

[Disturber]

Bernie was great. I always loved Whitesnake. The real Whitesnake from 1977 to 1982 (1984).

Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody was a classic 70's guitar duo.

Bernie left before the band recorded Slide it in. But Micky Moody and replacement Mel Galey did a great job on that album too. Geffen demanded a re-recording with flashy John Sykes. But, just as with Lizzy, he ruined the band more than adding anything worth talking about. (Hair metal fans peed their pants with joy though.)

Seek out the original Slide it in version of the album. It's a lot better. After that Whitesnake became an MTV money maker. But it was not Whitesnake anymore. It was Coverdale solo, with guests, adapting to the times.