Bernie Marsden was an English guitarist best known as a co-founder of the hard rock band Whitesnake.
- Died: August 24, 2023 (Who else died on August 24?)
- Details of death: Died of bacterial meningitis at the age of 72.
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Bernie Marsden’s legacy
Marsden started making waves on the British music scene as a teenager, playing with a series of bands throughout the early to mid 1970s. They included Skinny Cat, a gig with UFO in 1972, Wild Turkey, and Cozy Powell’s Hammer. His work with Babe Ruth landed him on two albums, 1975’s “Stealin’ Home” and the following year’s “Kid’s Stuff,” and earned him accolades for his guitar work. This led him to joining Jon Lord, Ian Paice, and Tony Ashton for the post-Deep Purple band, Paice Ashton Lord.
In 1978, Marsden formed Whitesnake with former Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale and guitarist Micky Moody. The band became one of the biggest hard rock acts of the ‘80s. He played on five albums with Whitesnake and co-wrote many of their songs. Among them was the band’s biggest hit and one of the best-known rock anthems of the era, “Here I Go Again,” which went to No. 1 and sold millions of copies, as well as “Fool for Your Loving.”
After parting ways with Whitesnake, Marsden was in a series of bands, including the Moody Marsden Band and the Snakes, with former members of Whitesnake. He also launched a solo career, releasing an array of records showcasing his talent for the blues, many of them recorded live. He was widely regarded as a giant of blues-style hard rock playing and helped create some of the most iconic rock anthems of the 1980s.
Tributes to Bernie Marsden
Full obituary: Guitar World
