To honour his recent passing David Gerrish investigates the style of this legend of British blues-rock, and guitarist with Whitesnake.

Bernie Masden, here playing his PRS signature model guitar

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Once described as ‘British blues-rock’s secret weapon’, Bernie Marsden was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter known for his solo career as well as a founding member of Whitesnake. His melodic style has been a huge influence on many modern blues guitar players, with Joe Bonamassa calling him ‘the best of the best’. His influence on blues-rock is indisputable, and his legacy continues to inspire.

Born in 1951 in Buckingham, England, Marsden was influenced by legendary blues musicians like Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters when he first took up the guitar in his early teens. His formative years coincided with the rise of British blues, and Marsden credits players such as Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimi Hendrix as having had a huge effect on him, ultimately instilling within him the desire to become a professional musician. He achieved this in the early 1970s, playing in a number of bands throughout the decade, but it was his time with rock superstars Whitesnake that showed Marsden’s guitar playing as well as his keen abilities as a songwriter to a wider audience. During his time with the band, he was responsible for co-writing many of their hits, such as the rock anthems Here I Go Again and Fool For Your Loving. After his departure from the group, Marsden was involved with a number of projects and also had a prolific solo career, releasing 23 albums under his own name.