BERNIE MARSDEN


Biography

Bands/Discography:

Solo albums: Great guitarist, his riffs and solos have filled many great albums during several decades, as he's a veteran from the blues scene, as well as a hero for hard rock lovers thanks to his long stay in Whitesnake. He was born Bernard John Marsden, on May 7th, 1951.

SKINNY CAT 

Bernie started his career in a band called Skinny Cat, but I don't have data about them. Help, please!

JUICY LUCY  

This band, at this time, contained none of the original members (watch my page on Chris Mercer for more details about the band). Around 1971, they were joined by Moody's friend, Bernie Marsden.

But Marsden stay in the band was really brief.

UFO  

Bernie joined this fantastic band in November 1972 (replacing Larry Wallis):

But Bernie was out of the band in June 1973. This lineup released a single, 'Give her the gun' (1973), but there is more material appearing in the compilation The Decca years.

WILD TURKEY  

This was a band formed by Glenn Cornick (ex-Jethro Tull). Bernie was a member of the band for a short time in 1974.

Bernie appears in 3 tracks of the album Don't dare to forget.

COZY POWELL'S HAMMER  

Formed in May 1974, a powerful lineup, built with several Cozy former bandmates.

But sometime later, Clive Chaman has to abandon the band, and Clive himself recommended Neil Murray to substitute him for several gigs, in September 1974, and then again, in February 1975. But Cozy splits the band in April 1975.

BABE RUTH  
(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

This British band was commanded by female singer Janita Haan and guitarist Alan Shacklock. After several lineup changes, Alan Shacklock leaves the band in 1975, and Bernie joins them:


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

They release a new album, Stealin' home.

(click here to get a bigger image, 115 Kbs.)

Soon later, Haan and Hewitt leave the band, and Bernie assumes the leading role:


Spanish edition of "Kid's stuff" (with the subtitle "Cosas de niños")

A new album is released, Kid's stuff. Bernie called some of his former friends in Cozy Powell's Hammer to play here: Neil Murray (bass) and Don Airey (keyboards), plus Frank Ricotti (percussion), Chris Karan (percussion), etc.

PAICE ASHTON & LORD (PAL)  

A superb band coming from the ashes of Deep Purple, although they never had the expected success. They were formed in August 1976:

By the way, Bernie Marsden was recommended by Cozy Powell.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

They released their first album, Malice in Wonderland, with help from Howie Casey (sax), Reg Brooks (trombone), Dave Caswell (horns).

After the album, they made a tour. While they were recording their 2nd album, they decided to split. This was July 1977.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Many years later, there was released a live album, BBC Radio 1 live in concert.

There's an album called The Deep Purple family album (1993, Conoisseur), containing tracks from people who once belonged to Deep Purple. It includes tracks from Ritchie Blackmore, Artwoods, Episode Six, Deep Purple, Alphonse Mouzon, Roger Glover, Rainbow, David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Fandango, Gillan. Plus one track by PAL, 'Arabella', taken from their BBC Radio One live in concert album, recorded in May 1976.

WHITESNAKE  
 
(Bernie Marsden & Micky Moody in Whitesnake)
After two solo albums, David Coverdale used the name of one of his albums to name his band: Whitesnake (although they were initially billed as David Coverdale's Whitesnake). This was January 1978. Bernie joins after turning down an offer from Paul McCartney to join Wings.
(click on the photo to get a bigger image, 72 Kbs.)
(from left to right: Solley, Marsden, Coverdale, Dowle (on drums), Murray, Moody)

In March 1978, they change keyboardist:

(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

They released a live EP, Snakebite (later reissued as a complete CD with some studio tracks taken from Coverdale's 2nd solo album Northwinds.
Whitesnake played some songs on stage from this album in 1978). These other tracks feature guest musicians: the late Lee Brilleaux (harmonica, from Dr. Feelgood), Roger Glover (bass, also producer), Tim Hinkley (keyboards), Tony Newman (drums), Ian Paice (drums), Graham Preskett (violin), Alan Spenner (bass), plus some backing vocalists (Doreen Chanter, for example).

But again, in July 1978, the keyboardist place is empty, and in August 1978, old buddy Jon Lord joins the band.

(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Their real first album was Trouble. I like this album a lot, although it's not as hard as later albums. Trouble was the first album where I heard Neil. A fantastic album, my favourite songs are the instrumental 'Belgian Tom's Hat Trick' and 'Trouble', but everybody's immense in all the tracks. That's the reason why most of them are in my Olympus too. :) Also included a fine rendition of The Beatles' 'Day tripper'.
 

(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

They recorded a second album, Love hunter, with a fantastic song in it, 'Walking in the shadow of the blues'. But Dowle left them in July 1979, after this release. The third Deep Purple knight arrives, the mighty Ian Paice.

To me, their finest lineup. You'll find lots of Whitesnake musicians in my Olympus, but the music these guys made is the best Whitesnake ever released (just my 'umble opinion).
 
(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

The new album is called Ready an' willing, and it contains a fabulous ballad, 'Blind man'.
 
 

(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

 

In 1979 there was a Japanese-only album, Live At Hammersmith, recorded in 1978 with the Dave Dowle / Jon Lord lineup. It was re-released with Live In The Heart Of The City as a double album in 1980. But, unfortunately, the only release I've seen on CD is missing several tracks.

 

(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Next album was called Come an' get it.
 

(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

The last album that Bernie recorded with Whitesnake was called Saints & Sinners. A superb album, it contains my favourite Whitesnake song, 'Here I go again'.

(click on the photo to get a bigger image, 108 Kbs.)
(from left to right: Marsden, Coverdale, Murray, Moody, Lord. Out of the photo: Ian Paice)

Finally, Bernie leaves the band in March 1982.

BERNIE MARSDEN (band)  

After having released his solo albums, Bernie played some concerts for a radio program, 'In session', with a lineup comprising some of his friends:

These recordings later appeared in The Friday Rock Show Sessions (see below). There are 4 tracks recorded with this lineup. These tracks also appeared as bonus tracks in the CD reissues of Bernie solo albums.

BERNIE MARSDEN'S SOS  

A new project by Bernie:

I can't find accurate info about this band, so any help would be very welcomed! They played at Reading Festival in 1982. One live track appears in the collective album Reading Rock (see Bernie sessions page for more details). And seven live songs from this lineup also appeared in Bernie's own The Friday Rock Show Sessions (see below).

ALASKA  
(Alaska, or maybe SOS?)

This was the new band by Bernie:


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Their first album was Heart of the storm, and it was really credited to Bernie Marsden's Alaska.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Their 2nd album, called The pack, was recorded with help from old mate Don Airey (keyboards) and Billy Paul (sax).

For Knebworth Festival in 1985, Don Airey joins the lineup:

I've read keyboardist Richard Bailey was also a member of the band, but I need to confirm that. Help, please!

I also read in a Spanish magazine from April 1986 that Alaska had just released a live video, Alive (66 minutes). Can someone confirm me that, and which lineup is featured here? More strange facts. A Spanish magazine from November 1986 announces a 3rd album from Alaska, called Miss you tonight (Music For Nations).

Finally, Robert Hawthorn leaves the band in 1986, and soon after, Bernie starts a new band, MGM.

MGM  
(Bernie while in MGM)

MGM got together in Autumn 1986. Neil reunites with two former Whitesnake members, Marsden and Galley. Marsden had just dissolved his own band Alaska (but retained the drummer, John Marter), and Galley saw how his project how putting Trapeze again to life was failed because of Glenn Hughes' arrival to Gary Moore band. So they approached Neil Murray in order to complete the band. It seems that the original idea included Don Airey, but finally he didn't joined.

Their first concerts included some old songs from Whitesnake, like 'Gambler', as well as some Alaska songs, like 'Show some emotion'.

Before the summer, they did some demo recordings with Bobby Kimball (vocals, now back in Toto), but nothing happened with them.

When they play at Reading Festival 25th Anniversary, on August, 29 1987, the singer is John Saxon, who had been discovered by MGM's manager, Dave Chapman.

They even made some Freddie King cover in that concert.

And in a exercise of multiplication, Neil Murray agrees to lend a hand to japanese band Vow Wow, because they lost their bassist, without leaving MGM.

MOODY-MARSDEN BAND 

 
Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden are friends since they started playing together in Whitesnake. They've been playing together under different bands and monickers. But their most usual name is Moody-Marsden Band. Their lineups aren't permanent, just both guitarists with different musicians.

Around December 1991, Zak Starkey starts playing with them:

They released a live album, Never turn your back on the blues, recorded live that same month.

New drummer in 1992 was veteran Terry Williams:

A new live album is Live in Hell - unplugged, recorded at Hell Festival with this lineup:
(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

There's a 2CD called The time is right for live, but it's not a new album, but a repackage including the complete albums: Never turn your back on the blues and Live in Hell - unplugged.


(scans courtesy of Alex Gitlin)
(Left: original release as "Real faith". Right: reissue as "Ozone friendly")

Their first studio album was called Real faith. Recorded with:

The album hadn't worldwide release, so several years later, in 2000, it has been reissued under a different name, Ozone friendly, although the content is not exactly the same (less tracks).

BORDERLINE 

 
ADD INFO! I have the info in my Metal Hammer issue #93, from October '95.

They released one album, Line up.

GREEN & BLUES ALL STARS 

 
(click on the photo to get a bigger image, 51 Kbs.)
This super band was assembled by Bernie Marsden, to promote his own tribute to Peter Green, the superb album Green & Blues (watch below). In Bernie's own words: "Green & Blues All Stars is me and whoever I take on the night". So, there were different musicians. Some of them were (not all together, of course):
Bernie Marsden (guitar)
Micky Moody (guitar)
Snowy White (guitar)
Colin Hodgkinson (bass)
Andy Pyle (bass)
David Levy (bass)
Tony Ashton (keyboards)
Don Airey (keyboards)
+

horn section & backing singers
SAINTS AND SINNERS  

This was a project of a band with a superb lineup.

All of them were former Whitesnake members, except the superb vocalist John West. They were going to tour and play lots of the old Whitesnake songs and some new ones. But, sadly, the idea never materialized. This was around 1996.

BERNIE MARSDEN ALLSTAR BAND 

During summer 1996, Bernie played rejoined with old mate in Whitesnake, Dave Dowle:

MOODY-MARSDEN BAND (again) 

In 1996, Micky and Bernie played some concerts with this lineup:


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Four years later, it was released a live album from these concerts, The nights the guitars came to play.

THE HELL BLUES BAND  

This was an occasional all-star lineup assembled for a gig in September 1997 in Hell Blues Festival.

MOODY-MARSDEN BAND (again) 

In 1997, Mark Brzezicki is approached by Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody for the initial lineup in The Snakes:

Bernie Marsden (guitar, vocals)
Micky Moody (guitar, vocals)
David Levy (bass)
Josh Phillips (keyboards)
Mark Brzezicki (drums)
They did a short tour, but Marsden & Moody soon changed the lineup.

THE BERNIE MARSDEN BAND 
(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

After having produced a Norwegian Band called Blonde on Blonde, Bernie teams with their drummer, Willy Bendiksen, in a new incarnation of Bernie Marsden Band, this time as a trio:

This lineup turned into The Snakes when Micky Moody joined...

THE SNAKES 

Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden have been playing together under different names since they met in Juicy Lucy. This time, they thought it was about time to remember their great times in Whitesnake. They join some Norwegian musicians, including a very good singer called Johnny Lande.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

They release a first studio album, called Once bitten. The Japanese edition contains two bonus tracks: 'All dressed up' and 'September tears'.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

It was followed by the release of a fantastic live album, Live in Europe, that was recorded earlier in 1997. But problems between members arise in January 1999.

COMPANY OF SNAKES 

After parting ways with singer Johnny Lande and the other Norwegian members around January 1999, the rest of the band decides to team with Robert Hart (ex-Bad Company), hence the new name, Company of Snakes:

This was the lineup that played in Spain in January 1999. As soon as Neil Murray finished the tour with Brian May, he joined the band. This was around February 1999. This is the stable (and superb!) lineup for the band, although as busy musicians, sometimes they have other commitments to fulfill, so some of their friends play the odd gig with them.
MOODY-MARSDEN BAND (again) 

Hey, this is hard to trace... as well as Company of Snakes, Bernie and Micky also play gigs and release albums under the Moody-Marsden Band monicker. Can someone give me info about the musicians playing with them, please?
 

SOLO ALBUMS 

These are the albums credited to Bernie Marsden so far:

(CD reissue on RPM label)
(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

In And about time too album the list of guests include Jack Bruce (bass), Neil Murray (bass), Jon Lord (keyboards), Don Airey (keyboards), Ian Paice (drums), Simon Phillips (drums) and Cozy Powell (drums), as well as Doreen Chanter on backing vocals. The CD reissue includes 3 bonus tracks: 'You & me' (B-side of a single), plus two live tracks, 'Who's fooling who' and 'Shakey ground', taken from The Friday Rock Show Sessions (with David Coverdale, Neil Murray, Don Airey and Simon Phillips, recorded in 1981).
 

(CD reissue on RPM label)
(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Look at me now lineup includes Michael Schenker (doing claps, not playing guitar!!), Neil Murray (bass), Jon Lord (keyboards), John Cook (keyboards), Ian Paice (drums), Simon Phillips (drums) and Cozy Powell (drums), as well as Doreen Chanter on backing vocals. A very similar lineup to its predecesor. The CD reissue includes 3 bonus tracks: 'Always love you so' (B-side of a single), plus two live tracks, 'Look at me now' and 'Byblos shack', taken from The Friday Rock Show Sessions (with David Coverdale, Neil Murray, Don Airey and Simon Phillips, recorded in 1981).


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

The Friday Rock Show Sessions is a live album compiling two different concerts. Four tracks were recorded by Bernie Marsden & friends (Bernie Marsden, David Coverdale, Neil Murray, Don Airey, Simon Phillips) at that radio show in 1981. Seven tracks were recorded at Reading Festival 1982 by Bernie Marsden's SOS (Bernie Marsden, Robert Hawthorn, Steve Cherry, Richard Bailey, Clive Edwards), including a guest appearance by Micky Moody in one track.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Green and blues is an absolutely magnificent blues album. This is the lineup that recorded the album:

It also contains guest appearances by John Keeley (harmonica) and Morris Farson (guitar). I absolutely love this album. Mostly a tribute to Peter Green, it also pays tribute to great artists such as Freddie King (song 'Hideaway'), Mick Taylor (a superb rendition of 'Snowy wood'). It also includes a lovely rendition of my favourite Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac song 'Man of the world' (also covered as an instrumental by the author Peter Green in a hidden track of his recent album Destiny road).

Bernie assembled a band for promoting the album live on the road, Green & Blues All Stars, as we've read above.

This is an incomplete list of singles Bernie has released under his own name:


Sessions

Press here to read about Bernie Marsden sessions

Related links: From the always interesting Alex's Picks (by Alex Gitlin), we have: From the superb site Knights in Blue Denim: The British Blues Scene '68 - '70 (by Christer Fridhammar & Vanja), we have:
Musicians mentioned in this page that I have projected to cover in my site someday: And short tributes to:

Family tree

Coming soon (I hope so!).

Thanks section

Very special thanks to: .

Special thanks to: great fan Alex Gitlin, for all his help, albums and lots of scans, Arne Rasmussen, for lots of info and the fantastic interview with Bernie he sent to me, Laurent Biehly, for his great help and info on The Snakes.

Thanks to:

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Page created by Miguel Terol on: 14/June/2000. Last modified on: 30/June/2003.