Bernie Marsden, longtime guitarist and founding member of Whitesnake, has died at 72. Guard.
The family shared the sad news on social networks, saying he passed away surrounded by his wife and daughters. They recalled that Marsden never lost his love for making music.
Bandleader David Coverdale remembered Marsden as a funny, incredibly talented musician and said it was an honor to share a stage with him over the years. His colleagues and fans alike pay tribute to the energy and wit he brought to the band.
Marsden contributed to Whitesnake with songs he wrote or co-wrote, including Fool for Your Loving and She’s a Woman, among others, helping shape the band’s classic sound during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Born in Buckingham in 1951, Marsden began his professional journey in rock circles, joining UFO in 1972 before moving through a series of groups, including Paice, Ashton & Lord, as he built his reputation as a guitarist with a distinctive tone and expressive playing style.
In 1978 he joined forces with Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale and guitarist Mickey Moody to form Whitesnake. The band would go on to release 14 albums across the decades, maintaining a presence in rock circles and influencing generations of players. Marsden also issued two solo compilations, And About Time Too (1979) and Look at Me Now (1981), highlighting his range as a writer and performer.
Beyond the stage, Marsden was known for his guitar collection, reportedly numbering over 200 instruments. One standout piece, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, later captured attention in the market with a sale exceeding $1.3 million, underscoring the value placed on his instrument choices and his lasting impact on rock guitar culture.
In other news that caught the public’s eye, there has been mention of a former cast member from Santa Barbara who reportedly married a Russian admirer, a reflection of the broad spectrum of stories that often accompany entertainment headlines.