If you grew up in the 1980s, it's part of your pop culture DNA: Images of Whitesnake lead singer David Coverdale driving his white Jaguar XJ, intermingled with scenes of his future ex-wife, lingerie-clad Tawny Kitaen, cavorting seductively on the hood. It's the band's music video for "Here I Go Again," and the whole decadent affair is emblematic of the decade's overindulgence: big hair, big, unforgettable, choruses and big spenders.
Despite Coverdale's prominence in the 1980s hard rock pantheon, the British singer was already firmly established as a high-profile rocker by then, thanks to his tenure as the frontman of Deep Purple's "Mark III" and "Mark IV" lineups from 1973 to 1976. After the temporary dissolution of Deep Purple, Coverdale formed Whitesnake in 1978.
With the new Whitesnake release, "The Purple Album," Coverdale has brought his music career full circle, leading Whitesnake through new versions of tunes he originally recorded with Purple, like the title tracks to the gold-selling albums "Burn" and "Stormbringer."
Coverdale recently chatted with HNGN about "The Purple Album" - which was spurred by Coverdale's recent discussions with Deep Purple founding guitarist Ritchie Blackmore about a possible project together - Whitesnake's newest members, the potential for a Purple reunion and leaving the door open for Jimmy Page, the legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist with whom Coverdale formed the 1990s supergroup Coverdale/Page.
Tell me about your initial talks with Ritchie Blackmore about working together again.
The sole agenda I had when I reached out to Ritchie was twofold: to commiserate on the tragic loss of [former Deep Purple and Whitesnake organist] Jon Lord and to express my gratitude to him personally for his part in giving me such an incredible opportunity to be the lead singer for Deep Purple...still somewhat mind-blowing when I reflect on it.
After communicating back and forth for a while, Ritchie asked if I would speak to his manager. It was Carole [Stevens] who first asked me "Can you keep a secret?" I said, "Of course not, I'm a singer, I tell my secrets to the world!" It was then the discussions began about doing a project together, either under a Purple name, or Blackmore Coverdale, similar to the project I made with Jimmy Page. It was at this time I started to re-acquaint myself with the "Burn" and "Stormbringer" albums.
What specifically made you decide to ultimately not undertake the proposed project with him?
My first love is Whitesnake, obviously, but my reconnect and respect for Ritchie made the possibility of a mutual project interesting. But, as I continued talks with Carole through the summer of 2013, it became quite clear I couldn't share their vision of what they wanted to do.
I was and am fine with my decision to respectfully withdraw, as there truly was no agenda on my part to finish with the Snakes, though we did discuss my contributing to writing something new with him for a project. As you can hear, the music we wrote together has certainly stood the test of time, but the only caveat was that they had better be quick as I was preparing for promo and touring, and then my focus would be elsewhere.
I wish him, Glenn [Hughes] and Ian Paice all the success in the world...and who knows what the future holds? I feel that a reunion of all the surviving members of Deep Purple sometime would be the ultimate "thank you" to our incredible fan base that not only has supported Purple but all the spinoff bands for over 40 years. That would certainly be a night to remember, and I'd definitely be on board for that.
What did the other guys in Whitesnake think of the idea of doing "The Purple Album"?
I only discussed it with Doug Aldrich while we were touring in 2013. He was actually very encouraging that I should do it. Go figure... The rest of the guys were completely on board when I discussed the Purple project with them. They had all been inspired by Purple in their early careers. They couldn't have been more positive, and that was prevalent throughout the recording.
In a press release for the new album, you said, "I thought it would be cool to go out, as it were, the way I came in to this music business." Does that mean this is your final album?
Not sure...I do know when we were mixing the album I told my dear friend and right-hand man, Michael Mac, that it felt as if I'd come full circle...a feeling of completion.
Obviously, I have other projects on the backburner, but I truly love expressing myself through music. The business I could turn my back on right now, but music? Nah. I love it way too much.
Were there any negatives to the huge success of songs like "Here I Go Again," "Is This Love" and so on in the 1980s? Do you feel Whitesnake became unfairly labeled as an "80s band" or a "hair metal" band and lumped in with some acts that maybe you shouldn't be lumped in with?
Who cares? It all unfolded as it was meant to. No complaints here.
Have you stayed in touch with Jimmy Page? Could you envision working with him again?
Jimmy is one of the most gifted and charming people I've ever met. The bonus for me is that I got to work alongside one of my heroes and maintain a wonderful friendship with him. He knows if he wanted my contribution, he's got it.
What drew you to Lake Tahoe, Nev., where you make your home, and what has kept you there?
Initially it was for tax reasons and proximity to Los Angeles, but, I found my soulmate there and I am at peace in that environment. You'd need an oyster knife to get me out of there.
How would you describe your relationship with Whitesnake fans?
For such an intensely private man, I have developed into quite the intimate social media hound through whitesnake.com, Facebook and Twitter, our global Whitesnake family.
Beyond the tour dates and any album promo, what's next for Whitesnake?
We shall have to see. We have a bunch of shows to perform and preach the Gospel of the Snake wherever we're invited.
