“My mum said, ‘What about the drink and drugs and wild women?’ I said, ‘That‘s what I want to do this for!’”: the life and times of Bernie Marsden, British blues-rock‘s secret weapon

Bernie Marsden in a white suit in 1978

Bernie Marsden may have been best known as the guitarist and songwriter with Whitesnake back when they were one of the most exciting blues rock bands on the planet, but his CV was as extensive as his playing was revered. 

The Buckingham-born Marsden, whose death at the age of 72 was announced on August 25 started out on the late 70s club scene. Either side of his stint with the David Coverdale-led band from 1978 to 1982, he played with UFO, Wild Turkey, Cozy Powell’s Hammer, Paice Ashton Lord, Alaska, MGM and the Company Of Snakes.There were plenty of solo albums too, including And About Time Too!, Big Boy Blue and Tribute To Peter Green: Green And Blues, plus great friendships with some bona fide legends.