Editing Whitesnake (section)

=== ''Slide It In'' (1983–1984) ===
[[File:Whitesnake1983.jpg|thumb|right|Whitesnake performing at the 1983 [[Monsters of Rock]] festival, which they headlined]]
Whitesnake toured across Europe and Japan in early 1983,<ref name="Charmer"/> before starting rehearsals for their next album at Jon Lord's house in Oxfordshire.<ref name="SlideItIn">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Slide It In |title-link=Slide It In |others=Whitesnake |date=2017 |first=Hugh |last=Gilmour |pages=4{{ndash}}11 |type=booklet |publisher=EMI |id=50999 698122 2 4}}</ref> At this time, Coverdale began steering Whitesnake's music more towards hard rock, which was emphasised by the additions of Mel Galley and Cozy Powell, whose past projects included [[Trapeze (band)|Trapeze]] and [[Rainbow (rock band)|Rainbow]], respectively.<ref name="Last Hurrah"/><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://whitesnake.com/early-years-part-3/ | title= Early Years Part 3 | website=Whitesnake Official Site | date=1 January 2016 | access-date=11 February 2021 }}</ref> Majority of Whitesnake's next album was co-written by Coverdale and Galley, while Micky Moody contributed to only one song.{{sfn|Popoff|2015|p=106}} Whitesnake began recording their sixth album at [[Musicland Studios]] in Munich with producer [[Eddie Kramer]], who had come recommended by John Kalodner.<ref name="SlideItIn"/>{{sfn|Popoff|2015|p=109}}

In August 1983, Whitesnake headlined the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington, England. The show was filmed and later released as the band's first long-form video, titled ''Whitesnake Commandos''. The band also premiered the new single "[[Guilty of Love (Whitesnake song)|Guilty of Love]]", which was released to coincide with the festival. The entire album had originally been slated for release three weeks prior to the Donington show, but failed to meet the deadline. The band were having problems adapting to Eddie Kramer's style of producing, particularly his method of mixing the record. Eventually things came to a head and Kramer was let go. Coverdale then rehired Martin Birch to complete the album.<ref name="SlideItIn"/> A new release date for the record was set for mid-November with a supporting tour scheduled to start in December.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=6{{ndash}}19 October 1983 |title= Mayhem! – Whitesnake head out on the road for another British tour during December... |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |issue=52 |page=2 | publisher=United Newspapers | location=London, England}}</ref>

As Whitesnake finished up a European tour in October 1983, Micky Moody left the group. He later attributed his departure to a growing dissatisfaction working in the band, particularly with Coverdale: "Me and David weren't friends and co-writers anymore. [...] David was a guy who five, six years earlier was my best friend. Now he acted as if I wasn't there."<ref name="Vain"/><ref name="Last Hurrah"/> Moody also felt uncomfortable with the level of influence he felt John Kalodner was having on the band.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitarist-micky-moody-discusses-his-departure-from-whitesnake/ | title= Guitarist Micky Moody Discusses His Departure From Whitesnake | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=20 November 2009 | access-date=10 February 2021 }}</ref> As he explained: "I never wanted to be a great big star. [...] I found it difficult to be a rock star, I really did."<ref name="Vain"/> Colin Hodgkinson was also let go in late 1983, only to be replaced by his predecessor Neil Murray. Coverdale later explained the decision to rehire Murray by simply stating: "I'd missed his playing".<ref name="SlideItIn"/> Towards the end of 1983, Jon Lord also informed Coverdale of his intention to leave the band, but Coverdale convinced him to stay until the supporting tour for their next album was over.<ref>{{cite AV media | people=Justman, Paul (director) | year=1991 | title=Deep Purple – Heavy Metal Pioneers | medium=Documentary | publisher=Atlantic Recording Corporation}}</ref> With the line-up changes and troubled production of the album, both the record and its accompanying tour were delayed until early 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=26 January {{ndash}} 8 February 1984 |title= Band of Gypsies |last=Sinclair |first=David |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |issue=60 |pages=26{{ndash}}27 | publisher=United Newspapers | location=London, England}}</ref>

{{Quote box
 |quote = "I thought [David Coverdale] was a star frontman, a star singer, I felt he had a mediocre band and just average songs. My job was to make them a commercial rock band for the United States."
 |source = —[[John Kalodner]] on his role working with Whitesnake.<ref>{{cite episode |first1=Sam |last1=Dunn |author-link1=Sam Dunn |first2=Scot |last2=McFadyen |author-link2=Scot McFadyen |title=Glam |date=17 December 2011 |series=[[Metal Evolution]] |network=[[VH1|VH1 Classic]]}}</ref>
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[[File:John Sykes 1984.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[John Sykes]] joined Whitesnake in 1984 after Coverdale was convinced the band needed a "guitar hero" to reach their full potential]]
According to Coverdale, John Kalodner had convinced him that in order for the band to achieve their full potential, they needed a "guitar hero" that could match Coverdale as a frontman.{{sfn|Popoff|2015|p=108}} Therefore, to replace Moody, Coverdale initially looked to [[Michael Schenker]] and [[Adrian Vandenberg]]. Schenker claims he turned down the offer to join Whitesnake, while Coverdale insists he decided to pass on Schenker.<ref name="Q&A"/><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenker-says-he-tried-collaborating-with-david-coverdale-in-early-1980s-i-didnt-really-want-to-do-it/ | title= Michael Schenker Says He 'Tried' Collaborating With David Coverdale In Early 1980s: 'I Didn't Really Want To Do It' | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=31 January 2020 | access-date=10 February 2021 }}</ref> Vandenberg declined the offer to join as well, due to the success he was having with his [[Vandenberg (band)|own band]] at the time.<ref name="Q&A"/><ref name="TallCoolOne">{{cite magazine |last=Chirazi |first=Steffan |date=March 2011 |title=Tall Cool One |magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] presents Whitesnake – Forevermore (The Official Album Magazine) |pages=88{{ndash}}91 |publisher=Future plc |location=London, England}}</ref> Coverdale then approached [[Thin Lizzy]] guitarist [[John Sykes]], whom he had met when Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy played some of the same festivals in Europe.<ref name="MetalRules">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metal-rules.com/2008/09/07/john-sykes-thin-lizzy-ex-whitesnake-blue-murder-tygers-of-pan-tang/ |title= John Sykes – Thin Lizzy, ex-Whitesnake, Blue Murder, Tygers of Pan Tang |website=Metal-Rules.com | first=Marko |last=Syrjälä |date=7 September 2008|access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref> Sykes was initially reluctant to join, wanting instead to continue working with Thin Lizzy frontman [[Phil Lynott]], but after several more offers and Lynott's blessing he accepted.<ref name="Sykes Noble Interview">{{Cite web|url=http://www.johnsykes.com/nobleinterview.html|title=June 1999 Interview with Tony Nobles from Vintage Guitar magazine|date=27 March 2008|access-date=5 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327011356/http://www.johnsykes.com/nobleinterview.html|archive-date=27 March 2008|website=The Official Website of Guitarist John Sykes}}</ref> John Sykes and Neil Murray were officially confirmed as members of Whitesnake in January 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=12{{ndash}}25 January 1984 |title= New Skins for Old |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |issue=59 |page=2 | publisher=United Newspapers | location=London, England}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |year= 1984 |title= Heavy London Special |magazine=[[Metal Hammer]] |issue=1 |page=26 |publisher=ZAG Zeitschriften-Verlag | location=Berlin, Germany}}</ref>

''[[Slide It In]]'', Whitesnake's sixth studio album, was released on 30 January 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=14 January 1984 |title= Slither Hither |magazine=[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]] |page=3 | publisher=Spotlight Publications | location=London, England}}</ref> On the UK Albums Chart, it reached number nine.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19840205/7502/ | title = Official Albums Chart Top 100: 5 February 1984 – 11 February 1984 | publisher = Official Charts | access-date =10 February 2021 }}</ref> The album's highest chart position was in Finland, where it reached number four.{{sfn|Pennanen|2006|p=263}} ''Slide It In'' received mixed reviews from critics, with the production being a common complaint.{{sfn|Popoff|2015|p=111}}<ref name="Slide Fanmag">{{cite magazine |last=Elliott |first=Paul |date=March 2011 |title=Slide It In (Liberty) |magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] presents Whitesnake – Forevermore (The Official Album Magazine) |page=117 |publisher=Future plc |location=London, England}}</ref> Dave Dickson, writing for ''[[Kerrang!]]'', called the record "the best thing Whitesnake have yet committed to vinyl",<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Dickson |first=Dave |date=9{{ndash}}22 February 1984 |title= Whitesnake – 'Slide It In' (Liberty LBG 2400001) |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |issue=61 |page=10 | publisher=United Newspapers | location=London, England}}</ref> while ''[[Record Mirror]]''{{'}}s Jim Reid was highly critical of the lyrical content.<ref name="Sexcess">{{cite magazine |last=Reid |first=Jim |date=18 February 1984 |title= Snake Sexcess |magazine=[[Record Mirror]] | publisher=United Newspapers | location=London, England}}</ref> [[AllMusic]]'s Eduardo Rivadavia, in a retrospective review, called ''Slide It In'' "an even greater triumph" than the band's previous works,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/slide-it-in-mw0000192426 |title=Whitesnake – Slide It In review |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |work=AllMusic |publisher=All Media Network |access-date=10 February 2021 }}</ref> whereas [[Garry Bushell]] of ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]'' gave the album a particularly scathing review, in which he likened Coverdale's voice to that of a "dying dog".<ref name="Vain"/><ref name="Slide Fanmag"/>

[[File:Whitesnake 1984 Promo 2.jpg|thumb|right|Whitesnake in 1984. Left to right: [[Mel Galley]], John Sykes, [[Neil Murray (British musician)|Neil Murray]], David Coverdale, [[Cozy Powell]], and [[Jon Lord]]]]
Whitesnake's new line-up made their live debut in [[Dublin]] on 17 February 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Dome |first=Malcolm |author-link=Malcolm Dome |date=9{{ndash}}22 February 1984 |title= John Sykes |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |issue=61 | publisher=United Newspapers | location=London, England}}</ref> During a tour stop in Germany, Mel Galley broke his arm leaping on top of a parked car. He sustained nerve damage, leaving him unable to play guitar. As a result, Galley was forced to leave Whitesnake.<ref name="Slide Fanmag"/><ref>{{cite magazine |date= July{{ndash}}August 1984 |title= News |magazine=[[Metal Hammer]] |issue=6 |page=4 |publisher=ZAG Zeitschriften-Verlag | location=Berlin, Germany}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/mel-galley-guitarist-whitesnake-859965.html |title=Obituaries: Mel Galley – Guitarist with Whitesnake |first=Pierre |last=Perrone |website=Independent |date=23 October 2011 |access-date=10 February 2021 }}</ref> By April 1984, a reunion of Deep Purple's Mark II line-up had become imminent, which led to Jon Lord also leaving. He played his final show with Whitesnake on 16 April 1984.<ref name="Slide Fanmag"/> That same day, Geffen Records released ''Slide It In'' in North America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.udiscover-music.de/popkultur/zeitsprung-am-16-4-1984-erscheint-slide-it-in-von-whitesnake-zum-zweiten-mal |title= Zeitsprung: Am 16.4.1984 erscheint "Slide It In" von Whitesnake. |website=uDiscover |first1=Timon |last1=Menge |first2=Christof |last2=Leim |date=12 April 2019 |access-date=11 January 2021 |language=German}}</ref> Kalodner had been unimpressed by Martin Birch's work on the album and had demanded a complete remix for the American market. Though initially reluctant, Coverdale agreed after a trip to Geffen's offices in Los Angeles, where he came to the conclusion that Whitesnake's studio approach had become "dated" by American standards. [[Keith Olsen]] was brought on board to remix ''Slide It In'', while John Sykes and Neil Murray were tasked with re-recording Micky Moody and Colin Hodgkinson's parts, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://whitesnake.com/early-years-part-4/ | title= Early Years Part 4 | website=Whitesnake Official Site | date=1 January 2016 | access-date=11 February 2021 }}</ref> The remixed version of ''Slide It In'' reached number 40 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1984-08-25 |title=''Billboard'' 200 – The Week of August 25, 1984 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=8 February 2021 }}</ref> By 1986, the album had sold over 500,000 copies in the US.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web |url = https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Whitesnake#search_section|title = RIAA Searchable Database: search for Whitesnake|publisher = Recording Industry Association of America|access-date = 3 February 2021}}</ref> Critical reception was also positive, with Pete Bishop of ''[[The Pittsburgh Press|The Pittsburg Press]]'' calling the album "muscular, melodic and musical all together".<ref>{{cite news |last=Bishop |first=Pete |date=26 August 1984 |title=Whitesnake's Experience Pays Off with New Album |magazine=[[The Pittsburgh Press|The Pittsburg Press]] |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States}}</ref> 

With the band now left as a four-piece (with Richard Bailey providing keyboards off-stage),<ref name="Reload">{{cite magazine |last=Wall |first=Mick |author-link=Mick Wall |date=March 2011 |title=Million Dollar Reload |magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] presents Whitesnake – Forevermore (The Official Album Magazine) |pages=80{{ndash}}85 |publisher=Future plc |location=London, England}}</ref> Whitesnake supported [[Dio (band)|Dio]] for several shows in the US, after which they toured Japan as a part of the [[Super Rock '84 in Japan|Super Rock '84]] festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLh0JRcip8I | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/PLh0JRcip8I| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=David Coverdale discussing the forthcoming 1984 Japanese Tour with Whitesnake. |publisher=Deep Purple Official |via=YouTube |access-date=10 February 2021 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Live in '84: Back to the Bone |others=Whitesnake |date=2014 |first=David |last=Coverdale |author-link=David Coverdale |page=4 |type=booklet |publisher=Frontiers Music SRL |id=FR CDVD 669}}</ref> Later that year, Whitesnake embarked on a six-week North American tour supporting [[Quiet Riot]].{{sfn|Popoff|2015|p=154}} To further the band's reach in America, Whitesnake shot two music videos for the singles "[[Slow an' Easy]]" and "[[Love Ain't No Stranger]]", respectively.{{sfn|Popoff|2015|p=122}} Both songs reached the [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Top Tracks]] chart in the US.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/1984-07-28 |title=Mainstream Rock Airplay – The Week of July 28, 1984 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=8 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/1984-09-15 |title=Mainstream Rock Airplay – The Week of September 15, 1984 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=8 February 2021 }}</ref> In an effort to take America more seriously, Coverdale also relocated to the US.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Jon |last=Hotten| author-link=Jon Hotten | title=Year of the Snake |magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |date=June 2001 |page=29 |issue=28 |publisher=Future plc |location=London, England}}</ref>