Bernie Marsden, Whitesnake’s original guitarist, died on August 24, 2023. He passed away peacefully, according to a social media post from his family: “On behalf of his family, it is with deep sadness we announce the death of Bernie Marsden. Bernie died peacefully on Thursday evening with his wife, Fran, and daughters, Charlotte and Olivia, by his side. Bernie never lost his passion for music, writing and recording new songs until the end”. He was 72 years old.
David Coverdale shared a tribute to his former bandmate on social media: “I’ve just woken up to the awful news that my old friend and former Snake Bernie Marsden has passed. My sincere thoughts and prayers to his beloved family, friends and fans. A genuinely funny, gifted man, whom I was honored to know and share a stage with”.
It is a great loss for the rock music community, as Marsden was one of the most celebrated rock and blues guitarists. A founding member of Whitesnake, he played in several other bands, including Alaska, MGM and the Moody Marsden Band, he contributed to other records for Jack Bruce, Jon Lord and Ian Paice, and built his own solo career that spanned several albums.
Rest in Peace, Bernie Marsden.
