Come an' Get It: The Whitesnake Hardly Anyone Knows...

I know what you might be thinking. Whitesnake Brad? Everyone knows Whitesnake, or at least "Here I Go Again." But, did anyone know that it was a remake of the original version that the earlier, and in my opinion, better incarnation of Whitesnake recorded in 1982 for their "Saints 'an Sinners" album? Probably not. It is pretty sad that people do not know that Whitesnake actually started in 1978 as a backup band to David Coverdale. It eventually turned into a actual band by the time they recorded 1979's "Lovehunter." The early incarnation of Whitesnake was a super bluesy hard rock band. They had the flow of a bar band, but the chops of an arena rock band. The albums they released from 1978 to 1984 were ridiculously good. They did not have one bad record during that time period. My personal favorites are 1980's "Ready 'an Willing" and 1981's "Come 'an Get It." Those records are bluesy hard rock at its sleaziest and finest. They can do rave up bar tunes like "Wine, Women 'an Song" and "Black and Blue." They can groove like a mother on "Ready 'an Willing." They can be melodic like on "Don't Break My Heart Again" and "Come 'an Get It." But, simply, they can flat out rock your balls off on "Sweet Talker" and "Hit 'an Run." The incarnation of Whitesnake that was around from 1978 to 1984 was so much better than the Whitesnake that everyone knows. You know, the one with the over-produced, sappy songs and cheesy music videos. Sure, the version of Whitesnake everyone knows had some great moments, like the remakes of the songs the earlier version of Whitesnake had recorded (Crying in the Rain, Here I Go Again) and the killer hard rock tunes in "Bad Boys" and "Still of the Night." But, that version just does not live up to the Whitesnake that was around earlier in time. They tried too hard to fit in with the times. It was more like David Coverdale and his back up band again. It is a shame no one knows about the bluesy, hard rockin' Whitesnake of the early 80s. I feel like that incarnation of Whitesnake should be getting more recognition than the one with the primpy hair, wanking, bass licking, and over production. The guys in the 1978-1984 incarnation of Whitesnake were super talented and really could PLAY. Especially Micky Moody, their guitarist from 1978 to 1984. That man, to me, is one of the greatest blues-rock guitar players no one knows. He could wail on that slide guitar and pour ever ounce of emotion into his guitar solos. Then, there is 2/5ths of Deep Purple in that incarnation, along with Coverdale. Ian Paice and Jon Lord are monsters on their respected instruments (drums and keyboards) and really were able to flex their musical muscles in Whitesnake from 1979 to 1982. Bernie Marsden, the other guitarist and back up vocalist, really shined brightly on his axe with his stellar rhythm playing. Neil Murray is the underdog of the lineup, keeping it together on the bass. Then, there is David Coverdale, one of THE best vocalists of all time. His sleazy growl could really give people chills, and his sexy, bluesy wail could make the ladies really hot and bothered. The way he strutted around on stage and held his mike stand showed that he was in control of the stage and he made sure you thought so. The man is simply THE frontman and is definitely one of the best. It is a friggin' shame this lineup gets no love whatsoever. It's always the lineup from 1987 on. Now, I gotta tell you, the Whitesnake lineup of today fucking smokes! It's the closest they have gotten back to their bluesy, hard rock roots. But, they will never, and I say NEVER, make music as good as they once did from 1978 to 1984. That music shall remain timeless and sleazy. Hopefully, one day, the early years of Whitesnake will be getting some love, and lots of it.

Classic Lineup:
David Coverdale: Vocals
Jon Lord: Keyboards
Neil Murray: Bass
Micky Moody: Guitarist
Bernie Marsden: Guitarist, Backup Vocals
Ian Paice: Drums

Classic Album:
1980's "Ready 'an Willing", by far. Many great moments, from their first US charting single "Fool for Your Loving" to the grooving title track. "Sweet Talker", "Ain't Gonna Cry No More", and "Black and Blue" are standouts too. This record is quite hard to find, it seems. But, get your grubby little hands on this record if you can, somehow, someway.

Killer Song:
There are many great tunes from this lineup, but one that always gets me all psyched is "Hit 'an Run" from 1981's Come 'an Get It album. The fucking riffing on this tune really excites me anytime I hear it and gets me pumped, especially that slide guitar on this tune. The talk box guitar in the breakdown of the song, courtesy of Mr. Marsden, is way better than anything Peter Frampton ever tried to do with the damn device. The rhythm section really holds it down on this tune, with Ian Paice driving this tune with his kick ass drumming. It is sleazy blues at its finest, by far.

Enjoy and hopefully you learned a little something about a band that has more to them than music videos with a chick dancing on car hoods and cheesy ballads. Until next time motherfuckers,

Bonzo Brad