WHITESNAKE Frontman Says Digging Up Bonus Material For Upcoming Reissues Is 'Like Being A Musical Archaeologist'

WHITESNAKE frontman David Coverdale has confirmed to Sweden Rock Magazine that there are plans to reissue several of the band's classic albums, including the multi-platinum 1987 LP "Whitesnake", with a host of bonus material. "We had digital transfers made of all… 'Slide It In', 'Slip Of The Tongue', the '87 album… 'Cause they're all coming up to these big-anniversary things now, so we're looking at all the additional — the demos, etc. — all of the additional material for the hardcore fan, be it video or audio," he said. "And you can hear me writing the basic ideas of 'Still Of The Night' and that kind of stuff."

He continued: "It's a fascinating journey. But hearing the studio stuff… We were in the studio, I think it was '85, '86 — I can't remember — working on the '87 album, and in the studio, you can hear how really good those songs [were] that [guitarist] John Sykes and I had worked on. It's just really cool. And we're finding alternate vocals, alternate guitar solos and stuff. It's a real fun journey. It's like being a musical archaeologist — digging up the past in order to get the dust off it and present it and put it in a museum as part of special editions. It really is exciting."

Asked if he is painstakingly curating his historic work in the same way that his former collaborator Jimmy Page has done with the LED ZEPPELIN reissues, Coverdale said: "I'm not going that far. The saddest thing for me, and my dear, dear, dear beloved friend Jimmy Page, I think one of the reasons he's explored the ZEPPELIN catalog so significantly is because he can't get the guys to commit to making a new record or touring. ZEPPELIN's his baby, as WHITESNAKE is mine, but I'm very happy to say I have a fabulous fresh chapter of WHITESNAKE. I'm still a recording entity and I'm still a touring entity. The last two years have literally been the most successful we've had forever. It's been fabulous. Next year, God willing, won't be any different. This year, we're gonna be all studio, write a new album and have new product for next year."

He continued: "But can you see the comparison, whereas Jimmy doesn't have that — he doesn't have an opportunity. I've recommended to him for years to do what Carlos Santana did with 'Supernatural'. Jimmy's got all these great songs. I said, 'I'm there for you. I'll do a couple of songs for you, without a doubt.' I said, 'Do something like 'Supernatural'. At least you're playing.' It breaks my heart, 'cause he's such a fucking valuable musician. With what he's already given to us, he doesn't really owe us anything, but I just know that he's still valid and relevant and can still play amazing guitar and write amazing songs. Where do you go after fucking LED ZEPPELIN, dude? Where do you go?"

Coverdale was also full of praise for the current WHITESNAKE touring lineup — Joel Hoekstra (guitar),Reb Beach (guitar),Michael Devin (bass),Tommy Aldridge (drums) and Michele Luppi (keyboards) — which made its live debut in May 2015 in Airway Heights, Washington. "This is my baby, and Reb Beach, Joel Hoekstra, Michael Devin, Michele Luppi and Tommy Aldridge, I love these guys," he said. "Hopefully we can keep it together and continue, 'cause they're super players and super people to work with. There's no soap opera, no ridiculous drama to deal with every fucking day. We just get on with it. I don't think there's even been a falling out, [which is] pretty amazing. So if you have something like that, you cherish it. You know, being in a band is like being in a relationship: if it's working, don't fuck with it."

WHITESNAKE's latest disc, "The Purple Album", was released in May 2015 via Frontiers Music Srl. The effort was billed as "a re-imagination of classic songs from Coverdale's time as the lead singer for DEEP PURPLE's Mark III and Mark IV studio albums." Coverdale was DEEP PURPLE's frontman from late 1973 to early 1976 and sang on the albums "Burn", "Stormbringer" and "Come Taste The Band".

PURPLE classics revamped for "The Purple Album" include "Stormbringer", "Lady Double Dealer", "Soldier Of Fortune" and "Sail Away".