A veritable British Rock institution fronted by the charismatic ex-DEEP PURPLE singer DAVID COVERDALE, a man blessed with a rich Blues soaked vocal and an unashamed mach stage presence. Although fraught with line-up changes Coverdale's sheer single mindedness and determination has seen the man turn WHITESNAKE into a multi platinum selling act with global recognition. Throughout much of the band's career WHITESNAKE has been a major artist in the UK, European and Japanese markets. However, it would be a totally re-styled band, in terms of image, songs and personnel, which exploded into America with the '1987' album.

In 1977 Coverdale released the 'Whitesnake' album into the teeth of the UK Punk rock explosion. It was a brave move as the album contained hard rocking R&B songs written whilst Coverdale was still in DEEP PURPLE. Coverdale was obviously still in two minds as to which direction to take during his immediate post DEEP PURPLE days. The singer actually rehearsed with URIAH HEEP in 1976 cheekily trying to entice guitarist Mick Box into his new band.

Coverdale then collaborated with his old sparring partner former JUICY LUCY, SNAFU and FRANKIE MILLER guitarist MICKY MOODY to assemble a line up of session players for Coverdale's first solo album. The men involved being Simon Phillips on drums, ex-JUICY LUCY bassist Deslyle Harper and SNAFU pianist Tim Hinckley. Production was handled by DEEP PURPLE's bass player ROGER GLOVER.

The impact of the 'Whitesnake' album inspired Coverdale to form a band around the project and next album 1978's 'Northwinds' included Moody once more with more session players in former MAY BLITZ drummer Tony Newman, the GREASE BAND's Alan Spenner on bass. Even DR. FEELGOOD's Lee Brilleaux contributed harp. Glover produced once more.

Founding WHITESNAKE as a band project during December of 1977, Coverdale and Moody, the latter bowing out from his day job with the FRANKIE MILLER band, pulled in all new cast. The assembly of WHITESNAKE finally laid to rest that Coverdale was in the running to join BLACK SABBATH. The duo's first choice of bassist, Chris Stewart, turned the offer down, opting to stick with FRANKIE MILLER. Neil Potts auditioned on drums but did not make the eventual cut. Finally included were former COLOSSEUM II and NATIONAL HEALTH bassist Neil Murray, former UFO, BABE RUTH and COZY POWELL'S HAMMER guitarist BERNIE MARSDEN, ex-SNAFU and PALADIN keyboard player Pete Solley and ex-RUNNER drummer Dave Dowle. This line-up undertook a club tour, with Brian Johnston, also an erstwhile STREETWALKERS man, supplanting Solley. However, WHITESNAKE's scheduled inaugural gig, on 23rd February 1978 at the Nottingham Skybird Club, was cancelled. Another gig, announced at London Dixieland Showbar on the 27th, was also pulled and the band finally made it onstage on 3rd March at the Lincoln College Of Technology. The shaky club tour throughout March saw just 10 gigs out of an original 18 booked being played. The dates sponsored many ecstatic reviews and the band's first official WHITESNAKE product, a four track EP titled 'Snakebite' sold in large numbers. In Germany the record company created confusion by cobbling together the four 'Snakebite' EP tracks with four cuts from 'Northwinds' to produce the 'David Coverdale's Whitesnake' album. WHITESNAKE's continental debut came on 17th June at the STATUS QUO headlined Dutch 'Alkmaar Pop 78' festival.

WHITESNAKE quickly capitalised on this initial success by releasing 'Trouble' in October of the same year which saw the reunion of Coverdale with his DEEP PURPLE colleague keyboard player JON LORD. The band's first major UK tour throughout November saw Birmingham's MAGNUM as support. In February of 1979 the band hit Germany for the first time, opening up for NAZARETH. Throughout the Summer the band played further concerts in Germany as headliners as well as being placed on major festivals alongside the likes of THE POLICE, DIRE STRAITS and BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST. It was during this run of gigs that a decision was made to fire Dave Dowle. Mid tour, Coverdale's erstwhile DEEP PURPLE colleague Ian Paice agreed to join but this was only officially announced once the gigs were completed in July.

In 1979 'Lovehunter' provided more fuel for the fire and also succeeded in enraging feminists with its Chris Achilleos designed sleeve portraying a naked woman astride a huge snake. In North America the artwork provoked such fury it even went out to some stores in a plain bag. The band's first foray onto US soil came on 23rd September with a one off gig at the Los Angeles UCLA Royce Hall. WHITESNAKE toured the UK yet again to even bigger crowds to close off the year, this time supported by MARSEILLE.

By 1980 another ex-DEEP PURPLE veteran Ian Paice was on the WHITESNAKE drum stool which had many critics pondering whether Coverdale was attempting to re-create DEEP PURPLE. UK touring had GARY MOORE's new act G FORCE as openers. The album 'Ready n' Willing', recorded at Ridge Farm Studios by Martin Birch, broke new ground for the band when the single 'Fool For Your Loving' crashed into the charts. A song originally written for Blues giant B.B. KING by Moody and Coverdale it turned out so good they kept it for themselves. Keeping the band on the boil the previously only available in Japan live double album 'Live... In The Heart Of The City' was also released later that year. WHITESNAKE toured in Europe opening for AC/DC and in America supporting JETHRO TULL.

1981 again saw WHITESNAKE with chart success with their album 'Come n Get It'. This album was cut at JOHN LENNON's former abode Tittenhurst Park in Ascot, then home to another Beatle - RINGO STARR. The resultant tour of Britain climaxed in a five night sold out stint at London's Hammersmith Odeon. The band would also headline the annual Castle Donington 'Monsters Of Rock' festival. However, upon completion of European dates, Coverdale dissolved the band. A series of opportunities then presented themselves as, in January of 1982 the singer, prompted by his management, tested the waters with the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP. Although Coverdale and Schenker jammed this proposed union came to naught. Next in line would be BLACK SABBATH. Coverdale met guitarist TONY IOMMI and keyboard player Geoff Nicholls in Los Angeles to discuss his replacing Ronnie James Dio. Once more, this alliance too was to lead nowhere.

WHITESNAKE was rebuilt for the 'Saints n' Sinners' album, Coverdale reinstating MICKY MOODY but bringing in new faces guitarist Mel Galley and bassist Colin 'Bomber' Hodgkinson. Behind the drum kit for this effort would be the famed COZY POWELL of RAINBOW and MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP repute. The Martin Birch produced record began to smooth the way for Coverdale's American ambitions. Both 'Here I Go Again' and 'Crying In The Rain' made major inroads into radio. Recording sessions for a new album commenced in July 1983, before the band embarked upon a new tour, during which they headlined the Castle Donington festival in August 1983. Personnel frictions arose once again though and Coverdale started to seek new members.

With the 1983 album 'Slide It In' under their belts WHITESNAKE signed to Geffen Records in North America. Further American dates followed as openers on a package headlined by JUDAS PRIEST. The album was re-mixed for the American market and during this time Coverdale relocated to America. The bass position was filled by Neil Murray once more. Between WHITESNAKE terms Murray had been involved with INFORMER, a band involving ex-STALLION singer John Elstar, erstwhile STALLION and SIDEWINDER guitarist STUART SMITH and former STREETWALKERS and future IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain.

The revised version of 'Slide It In', also produced by Birch, signalled a renewed spark from their American audiences and was generally agreed to be a vast improvement upon recent releases. The ballad 'Love Ain't No Stranger' made a particular impression upon radio whilst 'Guilty Of Love' and 'Slow n' Easy' soon became entrenched as stage staples. Initially, Coverdale and Powell fronted up a band unit comprising Micky Moody, Mel Galley, Neil Murray and JON LORD. Quite famously Coverdale 'fired' his entire band shortly after the release of this album, incorporating ex-TYGERS OF PAN TANG and THIN LIZZY guitarist JOHN SYKES complementing a much younger looking WHITESNAKE. Sykes laid down newly recorded solos for the record firing heated debate amongst die hard fans.

For WHITESNAKE's July 1984 touring package with DIO and BLACK N' BLUE, the ALASKA credited keyboardsman Richard Bailey was utilized on a temporary basis. In 1985 guitarist Mel Galley and Murray departed to form the short lived MGM project with MICKY MOODY. Galley and Murray would also both be involved in the PHENOMENA project album. Moody resurrected his YOUNG N' MOODY band.

JOHN SYKES was also out of the picture and would forge ahead with his own BLUE MURDER project before embarking on a solo career.

Coverdale pulled Neil Murray back into the fold, the bassist being plucked from rehearsal sessions with OZZY OSBOURNE's band, to craft the what was to be the biggest album of the band's career. Sykes laid down guitar parts, with further contributions from VANDENBERG's Adrian Vandenberg, whilst the esteemed figure of Aynsley Dunbar handled drums.

WHITESNAKE now assembled what was thought to be by many a perfect video presentable band as their record company geared Coverdale up for a massive push on the American market. Alongside Coverdale WHITESNAKE now featured former OZZY OSBOURNE and BLACK OAK ARKANSAS drummer Tommy Aldridge, former SWEET SAVAGE and DIO guitarist VIVIAN CAMPBELL, second guitarist Adrian Vandenberg and former QUIET RIOT and OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Rudy Sarzo. Although he would only feature on the recording front on the single version of 'Give Me All Your Love', Campbell was included in the WHITESNAKE promotional videos for major hits such as 'Here I Go Again,' 'Is This Love, and 'Still of the Night.' Not only were the level of talents assembled for the new look band extreme but so was the image. Honed for the video age the band appeared to have spent as much time preparing their image and hair as their music.

The landmark '1987' album, which had keyboards courtesy of ex-RAINBOW man DON AIREY, gave WHITESNAKE the major success in America the band had strove for so long. The record sold over eight million copies in the USA, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard charts and, in it's wake, dragging predecessor 'Slide It In' up to platinum status too.

In spite of the fresh look given to the band the album still contained many songs co-written by Sykes as well as a re-recording of 1980's 'Fool For Your Loving'. A massive American tour capitalized on a clutch of American hit singles including the number 1 re-worked BERNIE MARSDEN ballad 'Here I Go Again'. Coverdale married actress Tawny Kitaen in February 1989. Kitaen had already by this point already played a large part in the rejuvenation of WHITESNAKE's fortunes having been featured strongly as a central character in the band's last set of promotion videos.

1989's 'Slip Of The Tongue', although giving the band a top ten U.S. album, saw the band struggling. Coverdale had added former ALCATRAZ and DAVID LEE ROTH guitarist STEVE VAI to the line up and many purists felt Vai's quirky individualism sat ill at ease with the band's traditional hard blues. Vandenberg, suffering from an injury, was unable to perform on the record and so Kevin Russell was drafted for studio work. However, none of Russell's contributions made the finished work. Coverdale's old DEEP PURPLE sparring partner GLENN HUGHES also aided, donating backing vocals. Coverdale also featured on STEVE VAI's solo record 'Passion And Warfare', adding narration to the track 'For The Love Of God'.

Promotion for 'Slip Of The Tongue' in 1990 was prepared for in late January with rehearsals, including a recuperated Adrian Vandenberg, for a US headline tour being held in Charleston, West Virginia. The tour itself commenced on February 2nd at the Fairfax Patriot Center in Virginia with support going to KIX. The tour struggled to sell out the same venues earlier '1987' dates had packed with ease, but nevertheless an expansive set of dates, seeing BAD ENGLISH as opening act on later dates, would last almost half a year, closing in Canada during June. One notable show, on June 15th in Toronto, saw WHITESNAKE headlining over KISS, much to the chagrin of the New York veterans and bemusement of the audience.

Gigs in August saw WHITESNAKE performing in Spain as a precursor to another Castle Donington 'Monsters Of Rock' show, this time appearing alongside AEROSMITH, POISON, THUNDER and THE QUIREBOYS. The band continued on with the 'Monsters Of Rock' package into Germany. A brace of shows in Reykjavik, Iceland was put in before Japanese dates.

Upon completion of the 'Slip Of The Tongue' world tour, on September 26th 1990 at Tokyo's Budokan Honshu venue, David Coverdale announced that WHITESNAKE was to be put on ice. Vandenberg, Sarzo and Aldridge duly created MANIC EDEN initially with HOUSE OF LORDS singer JAMES CHRISTIAN. The latter left reportedly because he felt MANIC EDEN was merely a WHITESNAKE substitute and the band drafted in former LITTLE CEASAR vocalist Ron Young for a solitary, and much delayed, album. Post MANIC EDEN Sarzo was to hook up once more with QUIET RIOT. Meantime, STEVE VAI resumed his successful solo activities, making a brief diversion into an OZZY OSBOURNE led band project that never got out of the studio. Another ex-WHITESNAKE man, guitarist VIVIAN CAMPBELL, formed SHADOWKING with FOREIGNER frontman LOU GRAMM before joining the multi-platinum arena act DEF LEPPARD.

In a shock move for fans of both camps Coverdale hooked up with the ex-LED ZEPPELIN guitar legend JIMMY PAGE to create COVERDALE/PAGE, this despite Page having gone on record at stating his displeasure at some of WHITESNAKE's later material, such as 'Still Of The Night', bearing more than a little LED ZEPPELIN influence. The undoubted quality of the album silenced a few critics but American touring plans were scuppered. The band only performed live in Japan where the set included a mixture of WHITESNAKE and LED ZEPPELIN tunes among newer numbers.

In 1994, following the relatively moderate success of PAGE/COVERDALE, Coverdale reformed WHITESNAKE based on the spur of a greatest hits compilation. At first THUNDER guitarist Luke Morley was heavily rumoured to be in the band but this conjecture was soon squashed by THUNDER themselves. Another, more unlikely, name to be linked to the new line up was none other than RITCHIE BLACKMORE!

As it turned out Adrian Vandenberg was quickly re-recruited from his MANIC EDEN project alongside former RATT guitarist WARREN DI MARTINI. Sarzo came back in on bass with HEART's Denny Carmassi on drums and NELSON keyboard player Paul Mirkovich to round out the all new look band.

This line-up quickly undertook a highly successful European tour, debuting on 20th June in Russia at the St. Petersburg 'White Night' festival, to back up the 'Greatest Hits' album. Live performances ranged across Finland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and the UK, supported by ZAKK WYLDE's PRIDE AND GLORY band. However, European success for the 'Greatest Hits' package was not matched in North America where the album, struggling to make headway amidst the Grunge explosion, failed to chart. October live work saw a lengthy run of Japanese shows prior to Australian dates.

The band parted ways with their US label Geffen, in the face of disappointing sales and the departure of their loyal A&R guru John Kalodner. Rumours abounded in 1996 that Coverdale had rejoined DEEP PURPLE but these were scotched by confirmation that WHITESNAKE had entered the studio to work on a new album 'Restless Heart'. However, this album, cut at Sierra Sonics, Reno Nevada, was eventually issued being credited to 'David Coverdale & Whitesnake' in June 1997. The musicians involved comprised Vandenberg, bassist Guy Pratt, ex-DETROIT, STEPPENWOLF and DAVID LEE ROTH keyboard player Brett Tuggle, former MONTROSE, GAMMA and HEART drummer Denny Carmassi with TOMMY FUNDERBURK on backing vocals. Included would be the single 'Too Many Tears', originally projected in 1988 as a duet between Coverdale and HEART's NANCY WILSON. Japanese variants added three extra tracks, 'Anything You Want', 'Can't Stop Now' and 'Oi'. Soon after release Coverdale and Vandenberg put in some promotional acoustic showcases in Warsaw and Tokyo.

Coverdale assembled a touring line-up consisting of guitarists Adrian Vandenberg and ex-MR. MISTER and EDDIE MONEY man Steve Farris, former THE FIRM and BLUE MURDER bassist TONY FRANKLIN with drummer Denny Carmassi making his return to the ranks. Keyboards were handled by Derek Hilland.

The farewell world tour, dubbed 'The last hurrah!' took WHITESNAKE out on a high with the band returning to countries following scheduled dates due to ticket demand. Far from being a regular live set Coverdale, claiming that at 46 he was "Getting too old for this sort of thing", injected the song roster with many impromptu singalongs of rarer tracks alongside the expected old favourites. When the dates finally came to a close in the Spring of 1998 Farris teamed up with GARY WRIGHT.

Although only comprising of Coverdale and Vandenberg, the acoustic Japanese release of 'Starkers In Tokyo' was nevertheless issued under the WHITESNAKE tag. The album had been recorded at a Tokyo show at Toshiba EMI Studios in July of 1997, the set list on the day including 'Fool For Your Loving', the VANDENBURG track 'Burning Heart' and 'Only My Soul' but these three would only be included on the video.

1998 had fans of the earlier era WHITESNAKE somewhat appeased as ex-guitarists MICKY MOODY and BERNIE MARSDEN alongside bassist Neil Murray out on the road titled THE SNAKES even releasing an album in Japan. By 1999 had Moody, Marsden and Murray, now joined by ex-BAD COMPANY vocalist ROBERT HART and ex-RAINBOW man DON AIREY on keyboards, were treading the boards in an act titled COMPANY OF SNAKES.

Rumours abounded in early 2000 that Coverdale had been approached to front VAN HALEN, hotly denied by both parties. Instead Coverdale emerged with a further solo album. By mid 2002 the rumour mill was back in action foreseeing not only the return of WHITESNAKE for European tour dates later in the year but predicting a reunion between Coverdale and JOHN SYKES. By October official sources, without revealing details of a band line-up, were stating that WHITESNAKE was set to tour the following year. Speculation of Sykes involvement would be rife, especially after Coverdale's longstanding most recent guitar partner Adrian Vandenberg revealed he had reformed his 80s act VANDENBERG. However, Sykes denied any such affiliation as rumours surfaced that former MR. BIG man PAUL GILBERT was in the frame. WHITESNAKE revealed North American tour plans set for January of 2003 in alliance with the heavyweight combination of DOKKEN and the SCORPIONS.

Meantime sources put the all new look WHITESNAKE at comprising David Coverdale, THIN LIZZY, TED NUGENT and BLUE MURDER bassist Marco Mendoza, LION, BURNING RAIN and DIO guitarist Doug Aldrich, RATT man WARREN DiMARTINI on second guitar with the veteran erstwhile BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, OZZY OSBOURNE, TED NUGENT and THIN LIZZY man Tommy Aldridge on the drums. Both DiMartini and Aldridge would, of course, be apparently making a return to the WHITESNAKE camp. However, as it transpired joining Aldrich on guitar would in fact be former WINGER and DOKKEN man REB BEACH. UK dates in May had the band hooked up with GARY MOORE and Y&T on the 'Monsters Of Rock' package tour. Longstanding ally and guitarist Adrian Vandenberg was apparently still in collaboration with Coverdale on the songwriting front but forced out of the band situation due to injury.

Meantime, fans of the bands older material were intrigued to learn of the debut of an act entitled M3. Centred on the former WHITESNAKE trio of guitarists MICKY MOODY and BERNIE MARSDEN with bass player Neil Murray. Fronting up the whole band, which was assembled primarily to perform classic archive WHITESNAKE material on the live circuit in Europe, would be the esteemed figure of former BLACK SABBATH vocalist TONY MARTIN. M3 was rounded off by Josh Phillips, previously with BIG COUNTRY, and Jimmy Copley of the PAUL RODGERS band. WHITESNAKE headed up the North American 'Rock Never Stops' summer tour alongside SLAUGHTER, WARRANT and KIP WINGER. The band would then journey on to Japan for a round of gigs that September and place UK gigs for October, originally with THE QUIREBOYS as support but mid tour seeing the Londoners "sacked' by David Coverdale.

In mid 2004 WHITESNAKE colleagues REB BEACH and Timothy Drury announced the formation of a new Hard Rock side outfit. Featuring Doug Pinnick from KING'S X on vocals and bass and, initially, QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali, the group was given the working title of DEVIL CHILDREN by their record company, Italian label Frontiers. However, the musicians soon declined this already announced branding and, replacing Banali with KELLY KEAGY of NIGHT RANGER on drums and vocals, evolved into THE MOB.

US WHITESNAKE gigs announced for the Summer of 2005 would be without Marco Mendoza on bass, who opted out in April. In May the band announced the appointment of new four-stringer, the TRAVERS & APPICE credited Uriah Duffy. During June the Recording Industry Association of America revealed WHITESNAKE had sold over 12 million albums in the USA. Meantime, former WHITESNAKE keyboard player Paul Mirkovich came to international recognition as leader of the house band behind the 'Rockstar INXS' reality TV series.

A DVD, 'Whitesnake The Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues Show', recorded at London's Hammersmith Apollo, would be issued to coincide. South American gigs in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Puerto Rico and Argentina allied with JUDAS PRIEST would be slotted in for September. As soon as these gigs were wrapped up Doug Aldrich hopped straight back into the ranks of DIO as temporary substitute for an injured Craig Goldy.

Coverdale opened 2006 by announcing his intention to finally record new WHITESNAKE material. A UK tour during May was marred by illness on Coverdale's part. At their May 28th show in Birmingham the singer closed the set after just 40 minutes, explaining the audience he was ill and promising a rescheduled date.

In August WHITESNAKE announced signature to Germany's Steamhammer SPV label for release of the concert album 'Live....In The Shadow Of The Blues', including four band new studio tracks ''Ready To Rock', 'If You Want Me (I'll Come Running)', 'All I Want Is You' and 'Dog'. A limited edition variant added extra live song 'Crying In The Rain' complete with an extended Tommy Aldridge drum solo.

In October David Coverdale revealed plans for a brand new WHITESNAKE studio album plus an expanded 20th anniversary version of the '1987' record. Meantime, 'Live....In The Shadow Of The Blues' emerged in November. On the 6th WHITESNAKE was to receive top honors in the 'Classic Rock' magazine awards categories 'Best band of the year and 'Best DVD of the year'. David Coverdale was presented the awards by his former DEEP PURPLE colleague GLENN HUGHES.

In December Coverdale revealed plans for a twentieth anniversary edition of the '1987' blockbuster plus a new studio album given a working title 'Good To Be Bad'.

On March 1st 2007 Coverdale became an American citizen, the ceremony conducted at the Department of Homeland Security in Reno, Nevada. The singer had by that stage been residing in the USA, at Lake Tahoe's North Shore, for 22 years. Although Coverdale and his former band mate GLENN HUGHES maintained a high profile with their own projects in 2007, both voiced a desire to pursue a DEEP PURPLE MK III reunion at some point in the future, Hughes revealing both JON LORD and Ritchie Blackmore had entered into these discussions. However, shortly afterwards, Coverdale back tracked by announcing he had "not agreed in any way, shape or form, to a reformation of DEEP PURPLE Mark III. The only consideration would be my willingness to be involved in a 'one-off' charity show which would feature all surviving members of DEEP PURPLE."

WHITESNAKE guitarist Reb Beach acted as temporary live guitarist for NIGHT RANGER's summer 2007 US dates.

Sad news emerged in February 2008 when former WHITESNAKE guitarist Mel Galley revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the oesophagus. The guitarist used his MySpace page to chronicle his thoughts, stating "I have been very lucky. I have seen some great bands, played with many great musicians and enjoyed some tremendous experiences. I am thankful that I can say a proper goodbye to all the friends I have made, who are now rallying round me.'

As his condition progressed for the worse, Galley continued to post amusing bulletins, saying "I have drugs in me 24/7, and I have a plentiful supply of gin and tonic by my bedside. I even have my own ice machine! In fact, it's just like my WHITESNAKE days." Honouring an ailing former comrade, David Coverdale dedicated 'Love Ain't No Stranger', a song co-written with his friend Galley, to him on a nightly basis. Mel Galley died on 2nd July.

WHITESNAKE's 'Good To Be Bad' album saw release in April 2008 through SPV Steamhammer Records. The group performed in Cyprus for the first time in its history on 13th November at Eleftheria Stadium.

Summer 2009 US concerts were conducted as a package with co-headliners JUDAS PRIEST.