In a sense there are two Whitesnakes, both of which command affection and respect, and Whitesnake fans tend to fall into two groups. There are followers of the blues-rock group’s gutsy first incarnation, formed by David Coverdale in March 1978. Others prefer the line-up the former Deep Purple vocalist put together for his crusade to conquer America that began during the middle of the 80s.
On paper, the two versions of the band have little in common. Coverdale brought in the early Whitesnake for their musical expertise and compatible personalities. Guitar mainstays Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody were long gone when 1984’s Slide It In album was released in the US, with ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist John Sykes brought on board to boost the group’s ‘eye candy’ factor. Bassist Neil Murray was also re-hired (briefly), although he was the sole reminder of the Whitesnake line-up that some people still regard as definitive.
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