Bernie Marsden: The British Blues Rock Guitarist

Bernie Marsden is a British guitarist and songwriter best known for his pivotal role in the hard rock band Whitesnake. Hailing from Buckinghamshire, England, his most enduring achievement is co-writing the multi-platinum selling anthem "Here I Go Again".

Early career

Born in 1951, Bernie Marsden began his professional music career in the early 1970s. He played in several notable British bands, including UFO and the short-lived supergroup Wild Turkey, before joining the blues-rock outfit Babe Ruth in 1975, honing his signature melodic blues style.

Breakthrough

Marsden's breakthrough came in 1978 when he was recruited by former Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale to form the core of a new band, Whitesnake. As a key songwriter and guitarist, he helped define the band's early sound, blending hard rock with a deep blues foundation on albums like "Ready an' Willing" (1980) and "Come an' Get It" (1981).

Key tracks

Here I Go Again - Co-written by Marsden, this song became a global rock anthem, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987 in its re-recorded form and achieving multi-platinum status.

Fool for Your Loving - Another major co-writing credit for Marsden, this track was a top 20 UK hit in 1980 and remains a staple of the band's live set.

Ready an' Willing - The title track from the 1980 album showcased Marsden's tight riffing and contributed to the band's growing commercial success.

Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City - Marsden's guitar work was central to Whitesnake's powerful 1980 cover of this blues classic, demonstrating the band's roots.

After leaving Whitesnake in 1982, Bernie Marsden pursued various projects, including the supergroup Company of Snakes and a prolific solo career. He released numerous solo albums, such as "And About Time Too" (1979) and "Big Boy Blue" (2014), which focused on his love for electric blues. He also collaborated with artists like Jack Bruce and Jon Lord, and remained a respected figure on the British blues rock circuit.

Fans of Bernie Marsden's guitar work may also enjoy the music of Paul Rodgers for his powerful blues-rock vocals. The early work of Whitesnake naturally features Marsden's contributions. Listeners might also appreciate the blues-infused rock of Gary Moore. The style of Walter Trout shares a similar dedication to passionate, guitar-driven blues rock.

Bernie Marsden's music, from his early hard rock anthems to his later blues explorations, is featured across classic rock and blues radio formats. His guitar playing continues to be celebrated by stations dedicated to rock history and electric blues.

The music of Bernie Marsden can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his extensive catalog with Whitesnake and his solo work through the radio stations available on onairium.com.