Bernard John Marsden (7 May 1951 – 24 August 2023) was an English rock and blues guitarist. He is primarily known for his work with Whitesnake, having written or co-written with David Coverdale many of the group’s hit songs, such as “Fool for Your Loving”, “Walking in the Shadow of the Blues”, “Ready an’ Willing”, “Lovehunter”, “Trouble”, and “Here I Go Again”.

Marsden started his musical career with local Buckingham based groups, including Clockwork Mousetrap (previously The Daystroms), before forming Skinny Cat at the age of 17. He got his first professional gig with UFO in 1972. He next played with Glenn Cornick’s Wild Turkey in 1973, before he joined drummer Cozy Powell’s band Cozy Powell’s Hammer. He then joined Babe Ruth in 1975, and played on two releases for Capitol Records, Stealin’ Home (1975) and Kid’s Stuff (1976). During his time with Babe Ruth, Cozy Powell recommended him to Jon Lord, who was forming a post Deep Purple band with Ian Paice, Paice Ashton Lord, in 1976, with Tony Ashton. During his time recording the Malice in Wonderland album with Paice Ashton Lord, Marsden worked alongside saxophonist Howie Casey who recommended Marsden join Paul McCartney’s Wings, but the position never materialised, as Whitesnake was being formed at the same time period.

After Paice Ashton Lord folded in 1978, Marsden formed a new band with former Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale and guitarist Micky Moody. The band started as David Coverdale’s White Snake, which then became Whitesnake. Marsden played on the first EP, first five albums and a live album: Snakebite (1978), Trouble (1978), Lovehunter (1979), Ready & Willing (1980), Live In The Heart Of The City (1980), Come An’ Get It (1981) and Saints & Sinners (1982), contributing many of the songs with David Coverdale and sometimes Moody.

Bernie Marsden passed away on August 24th, 2023 at the age of 72 due to bacterial meningitis. A tribute to Bernie Marsden can be found on YouTube.