Bernie Marsden - Where’s My Guitar? - An Inside Story of British Rock and Roll

To Fran,

who always knows where my guitar is.

B x

1 Cover

2 Title Page

3 Copyright

4 Dedication

5 Contents

6 Praise for Bernie Marsden

7 Introduction

8 Preface

9 1. New York, New York, 1980

10 2. Going to my Home Town

11 3. Look Through Any Window

12 4. Welcome to the Real World

13 5. To the City

14 6. Dance on the Water

15 7. PALS with Deep Pockets

16 8. Whitesnake

17 9. Free Flight

18 10. Come an’ Get It

19 11. Look At Me Now

20 12. Baked Alaska

21 13. Shooting the Breeze

22 14. In the Company of Snakes

23 15. Going Again on my Own

24 Afterword: Guitars and the Sickness They Induce

25 Seminal Moments in my Musical Education

26 Picture Section

27 Acknowledgements

28 About the Author

29 About the Publisher

Landmarks CoverFrontmatterStart of ContentBackmatter

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‘There wouldn’t be many guitar fans who haven’t heard a Bernie Marsden riff somewhere along the road. That goes for anyone alive in the ’80s and early ’90s, guitar fan or not. My first awareness of Bernie was during the glory years of Whitesnake while I was travelling the world making a career in tennis. Great album after great album, catchy riffs with melodic yet rocking solos. It was post-Whitesnake that I discovered the Marsden voice in its full extent, his most recent blues albums showing those talents. As a Rory Gallagher fan his Bernie Plays Rory album was more than a worthy tribute – a pure joy. No wonder he is applauded throughout the blues and rock world as one of the iconic musicians of his generation.’

‘Rory’s admiration for Bernie as both a musician and as a person was huge and I share my late brother’s sentiments. Actions speak louder than words – Bernie was the first guitarist allowed to perform with Rory’s Stratocaster after his passing. In addition to his own great abilities, Bernie carries the torch!’

‘Bernie is part of the legendary wave of British blues-rock players I heard that had it all. His soul, chops and sound resonated with me. He is also a first-class gentleman and when he came to meet me and see me the first time Toto played in London in the very early ’80s he brought Jeff Beck and Gary Moore. Like I wasn’t intimidated enough by him … ha, ha! This started a lifelong friendship. Bernie is one of the best in every way and I am honoured to call him my friend – and he is one badass guitar player!’

‘Bernie is one of those rare musicians who can play whatever is required of him. Rock, blues, pop, you name it and he will do it, and do it very well! A talent in itself. But the other string to his bow is his writing. Back in the Whitesnake days it was obvious that without those songs, the band would have found it much harder to break through and enjoy the success it achieved. Those songs started out from Bernie’s imagination. No Bernie – no songs.’

‘I think the first time I played with Bernie was when he sat in with the Blues Band at a gig in Swindon, and I thought, Wow – this heavy metal guy can really play the blues! As time went on, I discovered that the blues (and soul) have informed all his work. The other thing I admire about Bernie is his humility. I’ve seen it on many occasions – not least the times when he’s contributed to my charity gigs at Cranleigh Arts Centre.’

‘I first met Bernie in 1991 when the Allman Brothers came to Europe. There was a benefit at the Hard Rock in London and a bunch of us went and wound up jamming. I heard Bernie play and not only did he play great but he had the best sounding rig of anyone on stage. When it came time for us to play I asked him if I could play through his gear, saying something like, “You’ve got the only good-sounding rig on stage.” He laughed and obliged. We became instant friends and have played together numerous times since. I really love his economy of notes and the fact that the most important thing to him is to get a good sound first (which he seems to be able to do with any setup) and then take it from there.’

‘If I had never met Bernie Marsden I would never have spent three years sitting on his garden furniture in the back of a transit crying with laughter and playing the real blues all over the UK, Europe, Northampton and JBs Dudley.

There is Whitesnake, yes, but let’s not forget Bernie’s great pop sensibility in his work with Mickie Most in the ’70s. Bernie is a dear friend for life who never actually paid me but taught me so much about playing with empathy, sincerity, emotion, and fucking huge balls that I owe him at least forty quid.

We bonded over Freddie King, who I was lucky enough to see play once. Bernie has Freddie King’s shoes and he’s getting ready to dust his broom in the palace of the king. A perfect hideaway to stumble into while steppin’ out, walkin’ by himself and … sorry I digress as usual – here I go again.’

‘Having always been a huge fan of blues music and its various transitions throughout the years, there is nothing better than to hear it played with style and integrity. Bernie Marsden has both in abundance.

We did not work together until 2002 when I was appearing at the Maryport Blues Festival, Cumbria. Bernie was on the bill with his own band that night and I asked him if he would like to get up and do a few numbers with my band later. It was a special night and the atmosphere in the marquee was electric. Bernie added his own dynamic to our sound and it was a great gig. A few years later I called up Bernie and asked if he would possibly come on the road with us for a few months … so off we went! He was such a marvellous addition and a real pleasure to play with.

Among the stunning array of songs Bernie has written, I really fell in love with “A Place in my Heart”. A real testament to a true talent.’

‘We first met in 1970, just before I joined Radio 1. I was a DJ at the Country Club, a very cool north London rock venue where Bernie appeared with Skinny Cat. Even now I can remember Bernie’s playing – “just like a ringing a bell”, as Chuck Berry would say. He was a fabulously expressive, economical guitarist. At a time when speed seemed to be of the essence, Bernie’s style was relatively understated but beautifully constructed, already demonstrating his intuitive knowledge of what spaces to fill and how much space to leave. It’s a rare gift.