David Coverdale
| David Coverdale | |
|---|---|
 Coverdale singing with Whitesnake, 2006 Photo: Raúl Ranz |
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 22 September 1951 Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Hard rock, blues-rock, heavy metal |
| Occupations | Musician, singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, percussion |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Labels | Purple, EMI |
| Associated acts | Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Coverdale and Page |
| Website | Official Whitesnake Website |
David Coverdale (born 22 September 1951, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire) is an English rock singer, most famous for his work with the English hard rock band Deep Purple, and his later band Whitesnake,[1] of which he is the only original member to remain with the band.
Contents |
Biography
Early life
Coverdale was born on September 22, 1951, in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England. His love for music developed early. Around the age of 14, the aspiring singer began performing professionally and developing the voice which made him famous. "I don't think my voice had broken," he explained to Sounds in 1974. "And that's when I first learnt how to sing with my stomach, which sounds silly, but it's totally different from a normal voice."
Coverdale continued to work on his craft until he witnessed soul musician Ray Charles perform "Yesterday", while watching Alan Freeman's Pick of the Pops. "I'd heard The Beatles version but this had the hairs standing on my neck. I thought it must be good to have a voice like that and that sort of feel. I started thinking 'I'm a person, I can feel ... why can't I emphasize it in what I'm doing. That's when I started borrowing records and started listening to more than The Pretty Things ... going beyond the R&B thing," Coverdale told Sounds.
He continued to develop his talent as well as his interest in soul, playing mainly with local bands. At the same time, Coverdale was also working at a clothes shop called Gentry in Redcar, Teesside.
Deep Purple (1973-1976)
In 1973, Coverdale saw an article in a copy of Melody Maker, which said that Deep Purple was auditioning for singers to replace the departed Ian Gillan. Coverdale had fronted a local group called The Government, which had played with Deep Purple on the same bill in 1969, so both he and the band were familiar with one another, and after sending a tape and later auditioning, Coverdale was admitted into the band, with bassist Glenn Hughes adding his own vocals as well.
In February 1974, Deep Purple released their first album with Coverdale and Hughes titled Burn which was certified Gold in the US on March 20, 1974[2] and in the UK on July 1. The album incorporated elements of soul and funk, which was new to the hard rock sound of Deep Purple. In April 1974, Coverdale and Deep Purple performed to over 200,000 music fans on his first trip to America at the California Jam. Coverdale also sang on keyboardist Jon Lord's album Windows and former Deep Purple-bassist Roger Glover's album Butterfly Ball.
In December, 1974 Burn was followed-up by Stormbringer, which also ranked at Gold album status in the US and the UK. The funk and soul influences of the previous record were even more prominent here, and this was one of the reasons why guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left the band in June, 1975.[3] Rather than disbanding, the band continued, recruiting American guitarist Tommy Bolin (of Billy Cobham and The James Gang fame). The band released one studio album with Bolin, Come Taste the Band in 1975. The album was less successful than previous records, and at the end of the tour in March 1976, Coverdale reportedly walked off in tears and handed in his resignation, to which he was allegedly told there was no band left to quit. The decision to disband Deep Purple had been made some time before the last show by Lord and Ian Paice (the last remaining original members), who hadn't told anyone else. The break-up was finally made public in July 1976.
Solo (1977-1978)
After the demise of Deep Purple, Coverdale embarked on a solo career. He released his first album in February, 1977, titled White Snake. Ironically the album was produced by former Deep Purple-bassist Roger Glover who had been fired from Purple, before Coverdale joined. The album was also released on Purple Records formed by the Deep Purple management. As his first solo effort, Coverdale later admitted: "It's very difficult to think back and talk sensible about the first album. White Snake had been a very inward looking, reflective and low-key affair in many ways, written and recorded as it was in the aftermath of the collapse of Deep Purple." Even though the album wasn't very successbul, the album inspired the name of Coverdale's future band.
In 1978 Coverdale released his second solo album Northwinds, which was received much better than the previous album. But before the album's release, he had already formed a new band.
Whitesnake (1977–1991)
After recording Northwinds, Coverdale soon formed the band Whitesnake. During the late seventies and early eighties, with ever changing line-ups, the band recorded a string of well-received blues-rock albums. In 1978, Coverdale asked ex-Deep Purple member Jon Lord join him, to which Lord eventually agreed. Lord was followed by Ian Paice, who joined Whitesnake in 1979.
In 1982, according to British heavy metal magazine Kerrang!, Coverdale was considered for the vocalist position with Black Sabbath following the departure of Ronnie James Dio. Coverdale declined. (Ironically, Sabbath then recruited and hired another ex-Deep Purple vocalist, Ian Gillan.)
Whitesnake gained large popularity in the UK, Europe, and Asia but North American success remained elusive. In 1984, the album Slide It In dented the US charts (barely missing the Top 40), but not enough to be considered a success. In time for the US release of Slide It In, Coverdale made a calculated attempt at updating Whitesnake's sound and look by recruiting guitarist John Sykes from the remnants of Thin Lizzy. Sykes brought a more contemporary, aggressive guitar sound with him and had stage manners to match. In 1985, Sykes and Coverdale started working on new songs for the next album, but Coverdale soon contracted a serious sinus infection that made recording close to impossible for much of 1986 and which had doctors thinking he might never sing again. Coverdale eventually recovered, and recordings were continued. But before their upcoming album was fully recorded and released, Coverdale had dismissed Sykes from the band.[4]
The split with Sykes was not amicable. In many period interviews, Coverdale stated that the next album was a make-or-break album for Whitesnake, and if not successful he would disband the band altogether. During 1987 and 1988, North America was finally won with the multi-platinum self-titled Whitesnake album, co-written for the most part with now-departed Sykes.
The 1987 album has sold 8 times platinum since its release (over 17 million copies), propelled by hit singles such as "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love?". Through the late 80s and early 90s, caught in the "hair-band" era, Coverdale kept Whitesnake going with great success despite changing lineups, until the end of 1991. It is no secret that Coverdale wanted out of the business at that point. He'd grown uncomfortable with the entity he then felt Whitesnake had become, and admits that he got "caught up in it". In a candid period interview, Coverdale sums it up in one sentence:
"It got louder and louder, and so did I, to the point now where I have to get dressed up like a "girly man" and tease ones questionable bangs or hair and it's all becoming a bit... boring."[5]
In 1990 Coverdale sang and co-wrote (with Hans Zimmer and Billy Idol) the song "The Last Note of Freedom" for the Tony Scott-film Days of Thunder.
On 26 September 1990, after the last show on the Slip of the Tongue tour in Tokyo, Coverdale disbanded Whitesnake indefinitely. Tired of the business in general, the rigors of touring and troubled by his separation and later divorce from Tawny Kitaen, Coverdale wanted to find other values in life and took "private time to reflect" and re-assess his career direction.
Coverdale and Page (1991-1993)
The hiatus did not last long. In the early spring of 1991, a collaboration was set up with guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame. Both parties have said that the collaboration revitalized them both on many levels. This collaboration resulted in the Coverdale-Page album released in March 1993. The album was a hit all over the world reaching number 4 in the UK and number 5 in the US, but the US tour for the album had to be cancelled due to slow ticket sales and after only a limited Japanese tour, Coverdale and Page parted ways. In part, the problem had been the comparison to Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin fame who fronted the band, as vocalist, with Jimmy Page. Some of their audience criticized him, feeling he was merely a Plant clone.[1]
Return of Whitesnake (1994, 1997–1998)
In 1994 Coverdale assembled a new line-up (with the exception of Coverdale's musical partner, guitarist Adrian Vandenberg, who had been in Whitesnake since 1987) of Whitesnake to tour for the release of Whitesnake's Greatest Hits album. The band again broke-up after the tour. in 1997 Coverdale returned and released Restless Heart (with Vandenberg on guitar). The album was originally supposed to be a Coverdale solo album but the record company forced it to be released under the moniker "David Coverdale & Whitesnake". That same year Coverdale and Vandenberg released an unplugged album titled Starkers in Tokyo, which featured acoustic versions of Whitesnake songs. After this Coverdale took a break from music.
Back to solo (1999-2002)
In 2000 Coverdale released his first solo album in 22 years, titled Into The Light. Even though the album wasn't a hit, it did return Coverdale to the music business.
Re-formation of Whitesnake (2002-present)
In December 2002, Coverdale re-reformed Whitesnake for an American and European tour, with Tommy Aldridge on drums, Marco Mendoza (bass), Doug Aldrich (guitar), Reb Beach (guitar) and keyboardist Timothy Drury. 2004-2005 saw Whitesnake embark on a tour of the United States, South America and Europe. A live DVD, shot during the 2005 tour at the legendary Carling Apollo was released in February 2006. In June 2006, Coverdale signed a new record deal with Steamhammer Records. The first release under the new contract was the double live album Live: In the Shadow of the Blues (released 27 November 2006), the album also contained 4 brand new studio tracks written by Coverdale and Aldrich. Coverdale recently (2006) had a song written about him by Australian independent band The Fauves. The song alludes to buying one of his albums at a gas station and driving through the night listening to it.
In 2008, Coverdale, with the new Whitesnake line-up, embarked on a European Tour as part of a double bill with fellow Yorkshire rockers Def Leppard.
In 2009, Whitesnake toured with Judas Priest on the British Steel Anniversary Tour.
On August 11, 2009 Whitesnake was playing a show at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado when Coverdale suffered a vocal injury. After seeing a specialist, it was announced on August 12, 2009 that Coverdale is suffering from severe vocal fold edema and a left vocal fold vascular lesion. The remainder of their tour with Judas Priest was cancelled.
In early February 2010, David Coverdale has announced his voice seems to have fully recovered from the trauma that sidelined him and the band on the Priest tour. He states he's been recording new demos, aiming for a new Whitesnake album, and on tape his voice is sounding full and strong.
Personal life
Coverdale was first married in 1974 to Julia, and their daughter Jessica was born in 1978. Coverdale's second marriage was to actress Tawny Kitaen, from 17 February 1989 until their divorce in April 1991. Kitaen was known for her provocative appearances in Whitesnake's music videos for "Here I Go Again", "Is This Love" and "Still of the Night." Since 1997, he has been married to Cindy, an author with works such as The Food That Rocks. They have a son, Jasper (b. 1996). Coverdale is also a grandfather to his daughter Jessica's two children, Georgina and Mathilda.
On 1 March 2007, Coverdale became a U.S. citizen, in a ceremony in Reno, and now holds dual US/UK citizenship. He has lived near Lake Tahoe for more than 20 years.[6]
Band membership
Coverdale has been the lead vocalist for Deep Purple as well as four various stints in Whitesnake. In addition, he has been the vocalist for the following bands:
- The Government (1968–1972)
- Fabulosa Brothers (1972–73)
- Deep Purple (1973–1976)
- Solo (1976–77; 1999–2002)
- Whitesnake (1978–1991; 1994; 1997–98; 2002–present)
- Coverdale and Page (1991–93)
Guitarists
Over his 30 year career, Coverdale has worked with many of rock music's most accomplished guitarists:
- Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmore's Night) - in Deep Purple (1973–1975)
- Tommy Bolin (Zephyr, The James Gang, Deep Purple) - in Deep Purple (1975–1976)
- Micky Moody (Juicy Lucy, Whitesnake, Company of Snakes, M3) - in Whitesnake (1977–1983)
- Bernie Marsden (UFO, Whitesnake, Bernie Marsden SOS, Company of Snakes, M3) - in Whitesnake (1977–1982)
- Mel Galley (Trapeze, Whitesnake) - in Whitesnake (1982–1984)
- John Sykes (Tygers Of Pan Tang, Badlands (UK), Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder, Sykes) - in Whitesnake (1984–1987)
- Adrian Vandenberg (Vandenberg, Whitesnake, Manic Eden) - in Whitesnake (1987–1991, 1994, 1997–1998)
- Vivian Campbell (Sweet Savage, Dio, Whitesnake, Riverdogs, Shadow King, Def Leppard) - in Whitesnake (1987–1988)
- Steve Vai (Frank Zappa, Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake) - in Whitesnake (1988–1991)
- Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, The Firm, The Yardbirds) - in Coverdale and Page (1992–1993)
- Warren DeMartini (Ratt) - in Whitesnake (1994)
- Earl Slick (David Bowie, John Lennon, Phantom Rocker & Slick) - in David Coverdale's solo work (2000)
- Doug Aldrich (Lion, Hurricane, Bad Moon Rising, Burning Rain, Dio, Whitesnake) - in Whitesnake (since 2002)
- Reb Beach (Winger, Dokken, Alice Cooper, The Mob) - in Whitesnake (since 2002)
Discography
Solo
- White Snake (1977)
- Northwinds (1978)
- "The Last Note Of Freedom" - featured on Days of Thunder soundtrack (1990)
- Into the Light (2000)
- The Early Years (2003)
with Deep Purple
- Burn (1974) US Platinum, UK 2x Platinum
- Stormbringer (1974) US Gold, UK Gold
- Come Taste the Band (1975) UK Silver
Live albums
- Made in Europe (1976)
- Last Concert in Japan (1977)
- Live in London (1982)
- Singles A's & B's (1993)
- On the Wings of a Russian Foxbat: Live in California 1976 (1995)
- California Jamming (1996)
- Mk III: The Final Concerts (1996)
- Days May Come and Days May Go, The California Rehearsals, June 1975 (2000)
- 1420 Beachwood Drive, The California Rehearsals, Part 2 (2000)
- Deep Purple: Extended Versions (2000)
- This Time Around: Live in Tokyo (2001)
- Listen, Learn, Read On (2002)
- Just Might Take Your Life (2003)
- Perks and Tit (2004)
- Live in Paris 1975 (2004)
- Live in California 74 (DVD) (2005)
with Whitesnake
- Snakebite (1978)
- Trouble (1978)
- Lovehunter (1979)
- Ready an' Willing (1980) UK Gold
- Come an' Get It (1981) UK Gold
- Saints & Sinners (1982) UK Silver
- Slide It In (1984) US 2x Platinum, UK Platinum
- Whitesnake (1987) US 8x Platinum, UK Platinum
- Slip of the Tongue (1989) US 3x Platinum, UK Gold
- Restless Heart (1997) - release credited to "David Coverdale & Whitesnake"
- Good to Be Bad (2008)
Live albums
- Live at Hammersmith (1980)
- Live...in the Heart of the City (1980) UK Platinum
- Starkers in Tokyo (1998)
- Live: In the Still of the Night (2006) (DVD)
- Live: In the Shadow of the Blues (2006)
Compilation albums
- Whitesnake's Greatest Hits (1994) US Platinum, UK Gold
- Best of Whitesnake (2003)
- The Early Years (2004)
- The Silver Anniversary Collection (2003)
- 30th Anniversary Collection (2008)
with Coverdale and Page
- Coverdale and Page (1993) US Platinum, UK Silver
Guest appearances
- 1974 - Roger Glover & Friends - The Butterfly Ball & The Grasshopper's Feast ("Behind the Smile")
- 1974 - Eddie Hardin - Wizard's Convention ("Money To Burn")
- 1974 - Jon Lord - "Windows" - 2nd Movement, Gemini
- 1989 - Steve Vai - 'Passion and Warfare ("For the Love of God")
- 2000 - Bernie Marsden - And About Time Too [reissue] ("Who's Fooling Who", live)
- 2003 - Tony Franklin - Wonderland ("Sunshine Lady")
Quotation
| “ | All it is is a group playing music. I'm not saying all take your pants off and play a game of brag. None of that shit. It's just get out of it what you can: if it moves your ass then dance; it it inspires you to something else, fine. | ” |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Prato, Greg. "David Coverdale: Biography". Allmusic Guide review. MSN Music. http://music.msn.com/music/artist-biography/david-coverdale/. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
- ↑ "RIAA Gold & Platinum database". http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=deep%20purple&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ↑ "Deep Purple: History and Hits" DVD.
- ↑ David Coverdale bio at VH1.com [1]
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlfy9bhAUqw
- ↑ Report on David Coverdale becoming a US Citizen
- ↑ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 390. CN 5585.
External links
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