Editing Whitesnake (section)

=== ''1987'' (1985–1988) ===
The supporting tour for ''Slide It In'' came to an end in January 1985, when Whitesnake played two shows at the [[Rock in Rio]] festival in Brazil.<ref name="Whitesnake 1">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Whitesnake |title-link=Whitesnake (album) |others=Whitesnake |date=2017 |first=Hugh |last=Gilmour |pages=5{{ndash}}9 |type=booklet |publisher=Parlophone Records Ltd. |id=0190295785192}}</ref> After the tour ended, Cozy Powell parted ways with the band. According to Coverdale, his relationship with Powell had deteriorated increasingly over the course of the tour. After the final show, Coverdale flew to Los Angeles to inform Geffen Records he was letting the rest of the band go. Coverdale was persuaded to keep Sykes involved (as Geffen felt they formed a "strong image together"), while also changing his mind about Murray. Powell, however, was fired.<ref name="Whitesnake 2">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Whitesnake |title-link=Whitesnake (album) |others=Whitesnake |date=2007 |first=Hugh |last=Gilmour |pages=5{{ndash}}18 |type=booklet |publisher=Parlophone Records Ltd. |id=0825646120680}}</ref> According to Murray, Powell's departure was the result of financial disputes.{{sfn|Popoff|2015|pp=125{{ndash}}126}} Coverdale would later state that Powell didn't feel like the offer he got for his involvement was "appropriate".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD584DMdPZY | title= Whitesnake '87 Track by Track – Crying in the Rain | publisher=Whitesnake TV | via=YouTube | date= 20 November 2017 | access-date =2 August 2022 }}</ref>

{{Listen
|filename = Here I Go Again.ogg
|title = "Here I Go Again" (1987)
|description = A&R executive John Kalodner asked Coverdale to re-record "[[Here I Go Again]]" for the band's [[Whitesnake (album)|eponymous album]], believing the song had the potential to become a number one hit.<ref name="Vain"/> Ultimately, "Here I Go Again" would reach number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="Hot100">{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1987-10-10 |title=The Hot 100 – The Week of October 10, 1987 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=8 February 2021 }}</ref>
|pos=right
}}

Coverdale and Sykes retreated to the South of France in early 1985 to begin writing the band's next album. The sessions proved fruitful and they were joined by Murray, who helped with the arrangements.<ref name="Whitesnake 1"/> The new material saw Whitesnake moving further away from their bluesier roots in favour of a more American hard rock sound.<ref name="Story">{{Cite web| url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/whitesnake-the-story-behind-1987 | title=Whitesnake: The Story Behind 1987 | website=Louder | first=Dom | last=Lawson | date=29 July 2009 | access-date=5 July 2020 }}</ref>{{sfn|Popoff|2015|p=143}} John Kalodner also convinced Coverdale to re-record two songs from the ''Saints & Sinners'' album, "Here I Go Again" and "Crying in the Rain", which he thought had great potential with better production and arranging.{{refn|group=nb|In [[Martin Popoff]]'s book ''Sail Away: Whitesnake's Fantastic Voyage'' (2015), [[John Kalodner]] states that it was his idea to re-record both "[[Here I Go Again]]" and "[[Crying in the Rain (Whitesnake song)|Crying in the Rain]]".{{sfn|Popoff|2015|pp=138{{ndash}}139}} However, in 2017, Coverdale stated: "[[Geffen Records|Geffen]] asked me to redo [Here I Go Again], which I wasn't very keen on. But I said, 'if you want me to do that, I want to redo 'Crying in the Rain'{{'}}, 'cus I was never really happy with the original."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtnGL_GmTCI | title= Whitesnake '87 Track by Track – Here I Go Again 87 | publisher=Whitesnake TV | via=YouTube | date= 6 December 2017 | access-date =27 October 2024 }}</ref>}} With new material ready, the band then began searching for a new drummer. A reported sixty drummers auditioned for the group, with prolific session drummer [[Aynsley Dunbar]] eventually being chosen. Former [[Ozzy Osbourne]] drummer [[Tommy Aldridge]] was also offered the spot, but an equally satisfactory agreement  couldn't be reached.<ref name="Whitesnake 2"/> Drummer [[Carmine Appice]] claimed to have turned down the position due to commitments with his own band [[King Kobra]]. Appice would later join Sykes in [[Blue Murder (band)|Blue Murder]].{{sfn|Appice|Gittins|2016|p=186}}

The band began tracking their new record at [[Little Mountain Sound Studios]] in Vancouver with producer [[Mike Stone (record producer)|Mike Stone]].{{sfn|Popoff|2015|pp=128{{ndash}}129}} By early 1986, much of the album had been recorded.<ref name="Whitesnake 1"/> When it came time for Coverdale to record his vocals though, he noticed his voice was unusually nasal and off-pitch. After consulting several specialists, it was revealed that Coverdale had contracted a severe sinus infection. After receiving some antibiotics, Coverdale flew to [[Compass Point Studios]] in the Bahamas to resume recording. However, the infection resurfaced which caused Coverdale's septum to collapse. He required surgery, followed by a six-month rehabilitation period.<ref name="Whitesnake 2"/> Sykes has disputed this, claiming Coverdale was just suffering from nerves and that he used "every excuse possible" not to record his vocals.<ref name="RockCandy">{{cite magazine |last=Dome |first=Malcolm |author-link=Malcolm Dome |date=June{{ndash}}July 2017 |title= John Sykes – Strife in the Studio |magazine=Rock Candy |issue=2 |pages=36{{ndash}}39 |publisher=Rock Candy Magazine Limited | location=London, England}}</ref> After recovering from surgery, Coverdale, by his own account, did develop a "mental block" that prevented him from singing.{{sfn|Popoff|2015|p=135}} Following some failed sessions with [[Ron Nevison]], Coverdale was finally able to record his vocals with producer Keith Olsen.<ref name="Whitesnake 2"/> By late 1986, production on the record was mostly finished. Keyboards were provided by [[Don Airey]] and Bill Cuomo, while Adrian Vandenberg was brought in to do some guitar overdubs.<ref name="Whitesnake 1"/> Additional guitar parts were also provided by [[Dann Huff]].{{sfn|Popoff|2015|pp=131{{ndash}}132}}

By the time the album was finished, Coverdale was the sole remaining member of Whitesnake. "It was a band in disarray..." observed keyboardist [[Don Airey]]. "David was four million dollars in debt; didn't know if he was coming or going."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Dave|last=Everley|title=Purple reign – All the right notes (and in the right order)|magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|date=June 2018|issue=249|page=50}}</ref> Coverdale has claimed that Sykes and Mike Stone were fired after they began conspiring against him by booking studio time and making decisions without his involvement.<ref name="Whitesnake 2"/> Stone allegedly suggested bringing in someone else to record Coverdale's vocals while he was recovering from surgery.<ref name="AllWhite">{{cite magazine |date=16{{ndash}}29 April 1987 |title= All White On the Night |first=Dante |last=Bonutto |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |issue=144 |pages=21{{ndash}}23 | publisher=United Newspapers | location=London, England}}</ref> Sykes has denied this, instead claiming that he and other members were systematically fired as soon as they finished recording their parts.<ref name="RockCandy"/> Murray and Dunbar had stopped receiving their wages in April 1986, at which point Dunbar immediately left Whitesnake. Murray was still officially a member of the group until January 1987, when he heard Coverdale was putting together a new line-up.{{sfn|Popoff|2015|p=137}}<ref name="Murray Rolling Stone">{{Cite web| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/neil-murray-whitesnake-black-sabbath-bassist-1211886/ | title= Bassist Neil Murray on His Years with Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, and Brian May |last=Greene |first=Andy | publisher=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=1 September 2021 | access-date=15 September 2021 }}</ref>

[[File:David Coverdale.jpeg|thumb|upright|David Coverdale performing with Whitesnake in 1987, sporting a more contemporary [[glam metal]] inspired look]]
With the help of John Kalodner, Coverdale recruited Adrian Vandenberg and Tommy Aldridge, as well as guitarist [[Vivian Campbell]] (formerly of Dio) and bassist [[Rudy Sarzo]] (formerly of Quiet Riot) to the band.<ref name="Q&A"/><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://allthatshreds.com/vivian-campbell-fired-dio-dio-disciples-tribute-band/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804102454/https://allthatshreds.com/vivian-campbell-fired-dio-dio-disciples-tribute-band/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 August 2020 | title=Vivian Campbell: "I Was Fired From Dio And The Dio Disciples Are A Tribute Band!" | website=All That Shreds Magazine | first=Andrew | last=Catania | date=28 May 2017 | access-date=28 January 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Chirazi |first=Stefan |date=27 July – 5 August 1987 |title=Supergroup '87 |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |pages=52, 54{{ndash}}55 |issue=151 |location=London, England |publisher=United Newspapers}}</ref> This new line-up would appear in all the promotional materials for the forthcoming album.<ref name="Campbell">{{Cite web| url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/viv-campbell-never-gelled-with-whitesnake | title=Viv Campbell 'never gelled' with Whitesnake | website=Louder | first=Stef | last=Lach | date=7 December 2015 | access-date=5 July 2020 }}</ref> Whitesnake also adopted a new image, akin to [[glam metal]] bands of the time, in order to appeal more to American audiences. When asked about the band's makeover, Coverdale responded: "I'm competing with people like [[Jon Bon Jovi]]. I've gotta look the part."<ref name="Louder">{{Cite web| url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-whitesnake-won-the-west | title=How Whitesnake conquered America | website=Louder | first=Malcolm | last=Dome |author-link=Malcolm Dome | date=6 July 2016 | access-date=5 July 2020 }}</ref>

''[[Whitesnake (album)|1987]]'' (titled ''Whitesnake'' in United States and ''Serpens Albus'' in Japan) was released on 16 March 1987 in North America<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gett |first1=Steve |title=Superstar Winds Blow In March Releases |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-03-07.pdf |via=worldradiohistory.com |publisher=[[Billboard (Magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=17 March 2025 |pages=6 |volume=99 |date=7 March 1987 |quote="Geffen has high hopes for a new album from Whitesnake, the group fronted by ex-Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale. Produced by Mike Stone and Keith Olsen, "Whitesnake" ships March 16."}}</ref> and 30 March in Europe.<ref name="Review87">{{cite magazine |last=Putterford |first=Mark |date=5{{ndash}}18 March 1987 |title=Whitesnake – 'Whitesnake' (Liberty pre-release tape) |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |issue=141 |location=London, England |publisher=United Newspapers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://whitesnake.com/the-1987-album/ | title= The 1987 Album – Happy 30th! | website=Whitesnake Official Site | date=7 April 2017 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> It peaked at number eight in the UK, while in the US it reached number two on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19870405/7502/ | title = Official Albums Chart Top 100: 5 April 1987 – 11 April 1987 | publisher = Official Charts | access-date =8 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1987-06-13 |title=''Billboard'' 200 – The Week of June 13, 1987 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=8 February 2021 }}</ref> In total, the record charted in 14 countries and quickly became the most commercially successful of the band's career, selling over eight million copies in the US alone.<ref name="RIAA"/> Its success also boosted ''Slide It In''{{'}}s sales to over two million copies in the US.<ref name="RIAA"/> The singles "Here I Go Again" and "[[Is This Love (Whitesnake song)|Is This Love]]" reached number one and two, respectively, on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="Hot100"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1987-12-19 |title=The Hot 100 – The Week of December 19, 1987 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=8 February 2021 }}</ref> In the UK, both reached number nine.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19870628/7501/ | title = Official Singles Chart Top 100: 28 June 1987 – 4 July 1987 | publisher = Official Charts | access-date =10 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19871122/7501/ | title = Official Singles Chart Top 100: 22 November 1987 – 28 November 1987 | publisher = Official Charts | access-date =10 February 2021 }}</ref> The record's success was helped by the heavy airplay Whitesnake received on [[MTV]], courtesy of a trilogy of music videos featuring actress and Coverdale's future wife [[Tawny Kitaen]].<ref name="Louder"/> The album was generally well received by critics, though reviews in the UK were less favourable, with Coverdale being accused of "[[selling out]]" to America, which he strongly denied.<ref name="Reload"/> ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s [[J. D. Considine]] praised the band's ability to present old ideas in new and interesting ways, while AllMusic's Steve Huey, in a retrospective review, touted the album as the band's best.<ref name="Considine87">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/Whitesnake/albums/album/106221/review/5940451/Whitesnake |title=Album Reviews: Whitesnake – Whitesnake |last=Considine |first=J. D. |author-link=J. D. Considine |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=18 June 1987 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616015415/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/Whitesnake/albums/album/106221/review/5940451/Whitesnake |archive-date=16 June 2007 |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/whitesnake-mw0000196283 |title=Whitesnake – Whitesnake review |last=Huey |first=Steve |work=AllMusic |publisher=All Media Network |access-date=10 February 2021 }}</ref>

The new Whitesnake line-up made their live debut following the record's release at the [[Texxas Jam]] festival in June 1987.<ref name="Louder"/> They then toured the US supporting [[Mötley Crüe]] on their Girls, Girls, Girls Tour.<ref name="TallCoolOne"/> Beginning on 30 October 1987,<ref>{{cite press release |last=Schneider |first=Mitchell |date=7 October 1987 |title=Whitesnake to "Shake, Rattle and Roll Across America"; Launch headlining arena tour on October 30, as the 'Whitesnake' album goes triple platinum and "Here I Go Again" goes #1 |publisher= Levine/Schneider Public Relations |location=Los Angeles, California, United States}}</ref> Whitesnake embarked on a headlining arena tour, which was temporarily interrupted in April 1988, when Coverdale had a herniated disc removed from his lower back.<ref name="TallCoolOne"/><ref>{{cite magazine |year= 1988 |title= News |magazine=[[Metal Hammer]] |issue=7 |volume=5 |page=7 |publisher=ZAG Zeitschriften-Verlag | location=Berlin, Germany}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=11-26 December 1989 |title= David Coverdale – A Touch of Snake Bite as David Says 'Up Yours Critics!' |magazine=[[Metal Hammer]] |issue=24 |volume=4 |pages=10{{ndash}}13 |publisher=Rock Team Publishing and Productions Ltd. | location=London, England}}</ref> At the [[1988 Brit Awards]], the band were nominated for Best British Group, while the album ''1987'' was nominated for [[American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album|Favorite Pop/Rock Album]] at the [[American Music Awards of 1988|American Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcsyPnJPaPg | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/TcsyPnJPaPg| archive-date=2021-10-30| title=Pet Shop Boys win British Group presented by Eddie Grant {{vbar}} BRIT Awards 1988 | publisher=BRITs | via=YouTube | date= 10 December 2012 | access-date =12 August 2021 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 December 1987 |title= Travis, Bon Jovi top nominees for American Music Awards |agency=Associated Press |location=Beverly Hills, California}}</ref> 

When the supporting tour for ''1987'' ended in August 1988,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Nalbersberg |first=Elianne |date=28 October 1989 |title=Tales of the Tongue |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |pages=56{{ndash}}58 |issue=262 |location=London, England |publisher=United Newspapers}}</ref> Coverdale informed the rest of the band that the next album would be written by him and Adrian Vandenberg, who had established a fruitful working relationship together.<ref name="Campbell"/> After approximately a month of writing, the band regrouped at Lake Tahoe for three weeks of rehearsals.<ref name="Vandenberg">{{cite magazine |date=10 July 1989 |title= Whitesnake's Adrian: Denies All Rumours |magazine=[[Metal Hammer]] |issue=13 |volume=4 |pages=78{{ndash}}80 |publisher=Rock Team Publishing and Productions Ltd. | location=London, England}}</ref> In December 1988, Vivian Campbell parted ways with the band. The official reason given was "musical differences".<ref name="LightenUp">{{cite magazine |last=Galotta |first=Paul |date=31 March 1989 |title=Whitesnake Lighten Up |magazine=[[Circus (magazine)|Circus]] |page=26 |publisher=Circus Enterprises Corporation |location=New York City, New York, United States}}</ref> However, Campbell later revealed that his departure was partially due to a falling out between his wife and Tawny Kitaen. This resulted in Campbell's wife being barred from the band's tour. In addition to this, Vandenberg had made it known that he wanted to be the sole guitarist in Whitesnake, which also played into Campbell's departure.<ref name="Campbell"/>{{sfn|Popoff|2015|pp=167{{ndash}}168}}