Album:Snakebite
Released:Sept '78
Recorded:April 7-13 '78 at Central Recorders/April 10-19 '77 at AIR Studios London, UK
Genre:Hard Rock Blues
Label:United Artists(North America)EMI International(Rest of the world)
Producer:1-4 by Martin Birch, 5-8 by Roger Glover
David Coverdale was born on 22 Sept '51, in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Riding of Yorkshire, England, son of Thomas Joseph Coverdale and Winnifred May(Roberts)Coverdale.Around the age of 14, he began performing professionally and developing his voice."I don't think my voice had broken," he explained to "Sounds" in '74.With Deep Purple Mark 2 members Ian Gillian(Vocalist), and Roger Glover(Bassist)leaving the band some time in '73, Deep Purple Mark 3 came in like a wild fire.Deep Purple's first Mark 3 lineup album "Burn"(Feb 15, '74)featuring new band members such as David Coverdale(Vocalist fronted a local group called The Government which had played with Deep Purple on the same bill in '69 and saw an article in a copy of Melody Maker, which said that Deep Purple was auditioning for singers to replace Ian Gillan.David and his manager at the time sent a tape with Coverdale's boy scouts picture to Purple records LOL and later auditioning after drinking a bottle of alcohol to calm his nerves), and Glenn Hughes(Bassist/Vocalist originally from the band "Trapeze")who joins Deep Purple to complete the MKIII line up in summer of '73.Deep Purple now with two lead vocalist would shape the new Purple sound with Glenn's funky soul feel and David's bluesy style.Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale's influential styles in Purple's music would expand ideas to create a 2nd Deep Purple MK3 album called "Stormbringer"(Dec 10, '74) was the follow up after "Burn".Deep Purple MKIV was an awesome line up with Tommy Bolin stepping into some big shoes to replace Ritchie Blackmore from Deep Purple MKI, MKII, and MKIII.Tommy Bolin was a great choice for a new Deep Purple line up in '75/early '76."Come Taste The Band"(Oct 10, '75)would be the only Deep Purple MKIV album just coming out weeks apart from Tommy Bolin's solo album "Teaser".Jon Lord and even Ian Gillian stated in interviews that ""CTTB" is a great album but it is not a Deep Purple album."Jon Lord says "CTTB" was a very heavy guitar oriented album because of Bolin.Deep Purple MKIV simply burned and faded out for the rest of the 70's due to David Coverdale's solo project which was the start of "Whitesnake", Glenn Hughes's solo work/cocaine, alcohol addictions and Tommy Bolin passing away from a drug overdose in a Miami hotel on Dec 4, '76 at 25 years old hrs after his last show at the Jai Alai in Miami for his 2nd solo album "Private Eyes" promotional tour and opening for Jeff Beck(BTW check out Deep Purple's "Last Concert In Japan" album released in March '77 a year after Purple MK4 broke up and the album was strictly dedicated to Tommy a few months after his death).Deep Purple MK4 playing their last show at the Empire Theater Liverpool, UK in March '76 forever and walking onto separate roads to their solo music careers.David Coverdale releases his first solo debut album with help from guitarist Micky Moody in Feb/May '77 titled "Whitesnake.""Northwinds" was David Coverdale's break through 2nd solo album that made him a rock God again."Bloody Mary" is a hard rock'n soulful bluesy jam written by Whitesnake from the '78 "Snakebite" EP album.David's lyrics was about a hand job per a 2022 interview!4 tracks were written by the new official Whitesnake members on Whitesnake's '78 Snakebite EP which was the first EP now giving all credits to the whole band called "Whitesnake" instead of "David Coverdale's Whitesnake."Pete Solley opens "Bloody Mary" with that honky tonky blues piano intro!This will make wanna get a drink and groove with your 70's platforms on a Saturday night!I love the look/sound of Dave's black Ludwig kit seen and heard in footage and photos from '78-'79.There is good footage of Whitesnake playing on the Old Grey Whistle Test in '78 on the internet in color playing their hit single "Trouble" and "Lie Down(A Modern Love Song)from Whitesnake's debut album "Trouble." You can see all the original early Whitesnake members at their prime career rockstar highlights.Most important you can see Dave's black Ludwig kit, Bernie Marsden's Marshall stacks, Gibson Les Paul aka "The Beast," Micky Moody's Gold Top Gibson Les Paul, Marshall stacks, Jon Lord's Hammond Organ, Neil Murray on bass, and Coverdale looks that will steal any woman in the night.
Tracks 1-4
David Coverdale–vocals
Micky Moody–gtr
Bernie Marsden–gtr
Neil Murray–bass
Dave Dowle–drums
Pete Solley-keys
Tracks 5-8
David Coverdale-vocals
Micky Moody-gtr
Tim Hinkley–piano
Alan Spenner–bass
Tony Newman–drums
Lee Brilleaux–harmonica
Roger Glover–clavinet cowbell Arp 2600
Graham Preskett–violin
Gear
RolandTDK-4PV-Drums(WhitesnakeCustomSetting)
RolandmicroCubeGX(JCClean/Reverb)
ProMark
VicFirthPhones
LudwigBlue/OliveBadgeThrone
LudwigSpeedKing
Whitesnake'77/'78T
6:56
3:56
8:27
8:08
