It could all have been so very different. In the mid-seventies, just after his stint in PAL (Paice Ashton & Lord) Bernie Marsden was offered the chance to jam with several musicians, which included the horn player in Wings, which could have led to an audition to possibly join the band. But whilst waiting for a return call, Marsden met David Coverdale who asked if he’d like to join the new band he was putting together. He accepted, escaping possibly playing in Wings… and the rest is history. “Mull of Kintyre ain’t rock ‘n roll,” he said.
Bernie Marsden was an exceptional guitarist, one who certainly left his mark on the blues-rock scene with his emotive and melodic style and, while he often veered into rock, which he could play with the best of them, his bluesy influences were always very much present. Joe Bonamassa, himself no slouch at blues rock guitar, described Marsden as “the best of the best,” and his influence on blues-rock in the UK is undeniable.
His legacy lives on in books such as this, Remembering Bernie Marsden, a large format, coffee table book which celebrates the life, career and musical contribution of one of UK blues’ most renowned guitar players and ‘British blues’ secret weapon.’ He was there as a key player during what was, arguably, the golden age of British classic rock and, while he was never as feted as others in the genre, his presence on the scene was noticeable, never indulging in displays of flash virtuosity, just playing to the song and adding his memorable melodic structures. His contribution included stints in UFO, PAL and Glenn Cornick’s Wild Turkey, though he’s mainly known for the years he spent playing guitar in Whitesnake… he gave the band its name and they went on to become one of the most successful rock bands of all time. He also co-wrote several of their most well-known tunes, including ‘Here I Go Again’ and ‘Fool For Your Loving’.
If a man is judged by the quality of his friends, Marsden was indeed in good company. The book is packed with a huge number of pictures, many previously unseen, of several of the bands he played with, including Skinny Cat, his first band as a 17 year old. As well as the musicians he played alongside, such as Brian May and Roger Daltrey, which also includes his post-‘snake bands, SOS and Alaska. There’s also memorabilia like articles and gig reviews dredged up from back in the days of the tabloid music press.
The eulogies from his friends spoke of how, right up to the end, Bernie Marsden ‘never lost his passion for music, writing and recording.’ Musicians like Ian Paice and Steve Lukather, amongst others, pay tribute to his warmth and humour as well as his talent, and David Coverdale stated he felt honored to have shared the stage with such a ‘genuinely gifted and funny man.’ He was a man of his time and the warmth with which he’s remembered shines through in this book.
‘Celebrating Bernie Marsden’ can be pre-ordered now at Rufus Publications.
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