Whitesnake - Lovehunter - 12" Vinyl LP Album

The world of rock music is filled with iconic album covers that have become synonymous with the bands and their music. In 1979, Whitesnake, a British hard rock band, released their second studio album, "Lovehunter", which featured an incredibly controversial cover art. Created by renowned fantasy artist Chris Achilleos, the album cover depicted a naked white female straddling a large snake. This bold and provocative artwork sparked considerable attention and controversy, causing Achilleos to distance himself from album cover designs for many years to come.

Chris Achilleos, known for his intricate and imaginative fantasy artwork, was commissioned to create the cover art for Whitesnake's "Lovehunter" album. Achilleos embraced the task, aiming to craft an image that would visually capture the essence of the album's title. He conjured up a striking and erotic scene where a sensuous woman fearlessly interacts with a colossal snake, blending themes of love, danger, and desire.

Upon its release, the cover art for "Lovehunter" stirred up immediate controversy. The image, depicting a nude woman straddling a snake, was considered highly provocative and sexually explicit for its time. The explicitness of the artwork drew widespread attention, both positive and negative. Many music fans found it intriguing and captivating, while others criticized it for being overly explicit and objectifying women.

Although the album cover sparked controversy and garnered attention, it had unintended consequences for Chris Achilleos. As a result of the uproar surrounding "Lovehunter", the artist found himself embroiled in controversy and faced backlash from various quarters. This negative response seemingly affected Achilleos, who reportedly became disillusioned with album cover commissions and subsequently distanced himself from the medium for a significant period.

Whitesnake's "Lovehunter" remains a significant cultural artifact, not only for its music but also for its controversial cover art. The album cover opened up a discourse on artistic freedom, censorship, and societal norms. It challenged the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in visual art, and in doing so, it pushed the envelope for album cover designs in the rock genre.

Over the years, the controversy surrounding the "Lovehunter" album cover has only grown. It has become a notable example of the power of visual imagery to provoke discussions and generate strong reactions. The cover's ability to incite debate and divide opinions speaks to its enduring impact and lasting legacy in the realm of album art.

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Album Production information:

The album: "Lovehunter" was produced by: Martin "P.C." Birch for Sunburst Records and YOU!

This album was recorded at: Clearwell Castle , Gloucestershire with the Rolling Stones Mobile and mixed at Central Recorders Studio and Sauna, London 1979

Album cover design: Chris Achilleos

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Band Members and Musicians on: Whitesnake Lovehunter

Band-members, Musicians and Performers
• David Coverdale - vocals

  David Coverdale a renowned English rock singer, songwriter, and musician who has made a significant contribution to the rock music industry. He was born on September 22, 1951, in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, England, and grew up in Redcar. He first gained recognition in the early 1970s as the lead singer of the hard rock band Deep Purple before embarking on a successful solo career and forming his own band, Whitesnake.

  Coverdale's career began in 1973 when he replaced Ian Gillan as the lead vocalist of Deep Purple. He recorded three studio albums with the band, "Burn," "Stormbringer," and "Come Taste the Band," before the group disbanded in 1976. During his tenure with Deep Purple, Coverdale developed his unique style of blues-based rock and roll, which would later become a signature sound of his own band, Whitesnake.

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  After Deep Purple, Coverdale formed Whitesnake , which quickly gained popularity in the United Kingdom and the United States. The band's first album, "Trouble," was released in 1978, followed by "Lovehunter" in 1979. In 1982, Whitesnake released their self-titled album, which contained the hit single "Here I Go Again." The song topped the charts in the United States, propelling the album to multi-platinum status. The album also included the hit singles "Still of the Night" and "Is This Love."

  Throughout the 1980s, Whitesnake continued to release successful albums, including "Slide It In" and "Whitesnake." The band's lineup changed frequently, with Coverdale being the only constant member. The band's music continued to evolve, incorporating elements of glam rock, hard rock, and heavy metal. Whitesnake's live performances were also legendary, featuring impressive guitar solos, powerful vocals, and a high-energy stage presence.

  In the 1990s, Coverdale continued to release solo albums and worked on various side projects. He also reunited with Deep Purple for a short period, performing on their 1984 album "Perfect Strangers" and their 1987 album "The House of Blue Light." In 2003, Coverdale released an album titled "Whitesnake - The Silver Anniversary Collection," which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the band's formation.

  Coverdale's music has influenced many artists in the rock and roll genre, and his powerful vocals and stage presence have made him a true rock icon. He has won numerous awards, including a Grammy for the song "Still of the Night" and an MTV Video Music Award for the video "Here I Go Again." He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 as a member of Deep Purple.

• Micky Moody - guitars
• Bernie Marsden - guitars

    BERNIE MARSDEN a British musician, songwriter, and producer who is best known for his work as the guitarist for the legendary hard rock band, Whitesnake. He was born on May 7, 1951, in Buckinghamshire, England.

  Marsden began his music career in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a member of various bands, including "Skinny Cat" and UFO. In 1978, he joined Whitesnake, which was led by David Coverdale at the time. During his time with the band, Marsden co-wrote some of their most famous songs, including "Here I Go Again" and "Fool for Your Loving."

  After leaving Whitesnake in the mid-1980s, Marsden continued to work as a session musician and producer. He also released several solo albums, including "And About Time Too" and "Look at Me Now."

  Throughout his career, Marsden has been recognized as one of the most talented guitarists in the hard rock genre. He has been praised for his technical skill, his ability to write catchy and memorable riffs, and his contributions to the development of the hard rock sound in the 1980s.

• Jon Lord - keyboards

  Jon Lord, whose full name was John Douglas Lord, was a highly talented British composer and keyboard player. He is best known for his exceptional performances with renowned bands such as Whitesnake, Deep Purple, as well as his successful solo career.

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  Jon Lord was born on 9 June 1941 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom. He was the first child of Reginald Charles Lord, born on 18th December 1907, and Miriam Hudson, born on 16th October 1912. Sadly, when Jon Lord was 54 years old, his mother Miriam Hudson passed away in 1995. The following year, when he was 55, his father Reginald Charles Lord also passed away in 1996.

  In terms of his personal life, Jon Lord was married twice. He first married Judith Feldman in 1969 when he was 28 years old. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1975. Together, they had a son named Sarah Lord. Later in the same year, at the age of 34, Jon Lord married Vickie Gibbs, and they had a son named Amy Lord.

  Jon Lord's professional journey as a musician began in 1968 when he joined the band Shades of Deep Purple. He was 27 years old at the time. The following year, in 1969, he continued his musical career as a member of the band Self-Titled (Mk I), also known as Deep Purple, when he was 28. Throughout the 1970s, he contributed his musical talents to various Deep Purple albums, including "In Rock" (1970), "Machine Head" (1971), "Fireball" (1971), "Made in Japan" (1972), "Who Do We Think We Are" (1973), and others. Additionally, during this time, Jon Lord released solo albums such as "Windows Continuo On Bach" (1974) and "Sarabande" (1975).

  In the mid-1970s, Jon Lord expanded his musical horizons by working with Whitesnake, joining them in 1978 for their album "Trouble." He continued his collaboration with Whitesnake on the album "Live in the Heart of the City" (1980). In the early 1980s, he released another solo album titled "Before I Forget" (1982). Later, he reunited with Deep Purple for albums such as "Perfect Strangers" (1984), "The House of Blue Light" (1987), and "Slaves and Masters" (1990).

  Tragically, on 16th July 2012, Jon Lord passed away in London, England, United Kingdom at the age of 71. His remarkable contributions to the world of music, both through his performances with Deep Purple, Whitesnake, and his solo work, left a lasting legacy. In 2012, he was laid to rest in Hambleden (St. Mary) New Churchyard, located in Hambleden, Wycombe District, Buckinghamshire, England. Jon Lord's exceptional talent and unforgettable compositions continue to inspire musicians and fans alike, ensuring that his impact on the music industry will never be forgotten.

• Neil Murray - bass

    Neil Murray (full-name: Philip Neil Murray) one of British most experienced Bass guitar players and best known for being a member of the British Hard Rock band: "Whitesnake". Murray has also performed and recorded with Black Sabbath ( Gt Britain ), Bob Marley & The Wailers, Colosseum II, Cozy Powell's Hammer, Gary Moore (GBR), Gilgamesh, Peter Green Splinter Group, The Brian May Band, Vow Wow (JPN), Whitesnake (GBR).

• Dave Dowle - drums

Track Listing of: "Lovehunter"

The Song/tracks on "Lovehunter" are

• Long Way from Home (David Coverdale) 4:56
• Walking in the Shadow of the Blues (Coverdale, Bernie Marsden) 4:24
• Help Me Thro' the Day (Leon Russell) 4:39
• Medicine Man (Coverdale) 3:59
• You 'n' Me (Coverdale, Marsden) 3:30
• Mean Business (Coverdale, Micky Moody, Marsden, Neil Murray, Jon Lord, Dave Dowle) 3:48
• Love Hunter (Coverdale, Moody, Marsden) 5:39
• Outlaw (Coverdale, Marsden, Lord) 4:03
• Rock 'N' Roll Women (Coverdale, Moody) 4:45
• We Wish You Well (Coverdale) 1:34

High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover  "Whitesnake Lovehunter"

Album Back Cover  Photo of "Whitesnake Lovehunter"

 Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).