Album Description:
Whitesnake, the iconic British rock band led by the charismatic David Coverdale, has left an indelible mark on the history of hard rock music. Their powerful vocals, blistering guitar solos, and infectious melodies have captivated audiences around the world. One of the band's most celebrated releases, "Live in the Heart of the City," captures Whitesnake's electrifying energy and raw talent in a 2LP vinyl album that has become a must-have for any rock enthusiast.
Released in 1980 under the United Artists Sunburst Snake 11 label, this non-gatefold album showcases Whitesnake at the peak of their live performance prowess. Produced by the legendary Martin Birch, known for his work with bands like Deep Purple and Iron Maiden, the album perfectly captures the band's dynamic stage presence and the unbridled excitement of their live shows.
The recording took place at two different performances: the first at Hammersmith on November 23, 1978, and the second on June 23 and 24, 1980. By including tracks from two separate concerts, "Live in the Heart of the City" offers a comprehensive representation of Whitesnake's live repertoire during that period.
Upon acquiring the album, fans will be delighted to find the original insert leaflet, which features essential album details and captivating photos of the band. These images provide a glimpse into the electrifying atmosphere of Whitesnake's concerts and offer a visual complement to the audio experience.
As the needle drops onto the vinyl, listeners are immediately greeted by the explosive opening track, "Come On," setting the tone for the high-energy performance that follows. From there, the album takes fans on a thrilling journey through Whitesnake's most beloved songs, including "Sweet Talker," "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City," and "Fool for Your Loving."
David Coverdale's vocal range is nothing short of extraordinary, as he effortlessly transitions from gritty blues-infused verses to soaring, high-octane choruses. His stage presence and ability to engage the audience shine through in every track, making the listener feel as though they are experiencing the concert firsthand.
Guitarists Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden deliver scorching riffs and face-melting solos that showcase their exceptional musicianship. The rhythm section, consisting of Neil Murray on bass and Dave Dowle on drums, provides a solid foundation, driving the songs forward with unrelenting power and precision.
The standout moments of the album include the emotionally charged rendition of "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City," where Coverdale's vocals soar above the crowd, and the epic closer, "Walking in the Shadow of the Blues," which leaves the audience craving more.
"Live in the Heart of the City" is not only a testament to Whitesnake's musical prowess but also a celebration of the era in which hard rock reigned supreme. It captures the essence of the band's live performances, showcasing their ability to connect with fans and create an unforgettable concert experience.
For vinyl enthusiasts, this album is a collector's dream. The 2LP format allows for an immersive listening experience, with each disc offering an ample dose of Whitesnake's raw energy. The album's iconic cover art and the original insert leaflet add to its appeal as a prized addition to any vinyl collection.
Band Members and Musicians on: Whitesnake Live in the Heart of the City 2LP
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Band-members, Musicians and Performers
- David Coverdale vocals
- David Coverdale – Vocals
My shelves have plenty of loudmouths, but few singers can swing from blues grit to arena-sized drama as naturally as Coverdale.
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David Coverdale, the kind of frontman who makes a chorus feel like a marching order, first sharpened his pipes in local outfits like Vintage 67 (1966–1968), The Government (1968–1972), and the Fabulosa Brothers (1972–1973) before stepping into the big-league furnace as Deep Purple’s lead singer (1973–1976). After Purple imploded, the story didn’t get smaller—it got craftier: two solo moves (1977–1978) to keep the blues-blood flowing, then the real flag-plant with Whitesnake (founded 1978), where that husky, soul-soaked roar turned into a signature brand of hard rock theatre. Later, during Whitesnake’s early-90s break, the plot swerved into supergroup territory with Coverdale•Page (1990–1993), proving he could still pick a fresh fight with the gods of volume without losing his melodic nerve.
- Micky Moody guitar
- Micky Moody – Guitar, slide guitar
My kind of guitarist: the slide sings, the rhythm bites, and the notes smell faintly of backstage smoke and bad decisions.
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Micky Moody never struck me as a “guitar hero” in the mirror-polish sense—more like the guy who actually knows where the blues is buried, and keeps a shovel in the van. The early graft runs through Juicy Lucy in the early 1970s (those records from 1970–1972 tell the story), then into Snafu (1973–1975) where the groove got funkier and the guitar got meaner without losing its human pulse. By 1977–1978 he’s right there on David Coverdale’s solo run (White Snake and Northwinds), and when Whitesnake properly unfurls in 1978, the slide work becomes part of the band’s DNA—blue-collar riffing with enough grit to sand down the shiny bits of hard rock. Later chapters keep him busy and stubbornly alive in the scene: The Snakes (formed 1997) and, decades on, Snakecharmer (2011–2015), because some players don’t “retire”—they just keep turning up with a guitar case and a look that says, “Yeah, this’ll do.”
- Bernie Marsden guitar
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Bernie Marsden – Guitarist, Songwriter, Producer
Whitesnake’s blues-rock secret weapon: a British guitarist/songwriter who helped shape late-’70s/early-’80s hard rock and co-wrote “Here I Go Again”.
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Bernie Marsden was a legendary British guitarist, songwriter, and producer best known for his iconic work with Whitesnake. His bluesy riffs and songwriting chops helped define hard rock in the late ’70s and early ’80s, including co-writing the smash hit “Here I Go Again.” Bernie Marsden Wiki.
- Jon Lord - keyboards
- Neil Murray bass guitar
- Neil Murray – Bass
Some bass players politely “support” a band; Neil Murray locks in like a steel beam and dares the whole song to collapse without him. Read more... Neil Murray, bass guitar player and best known for holding down the low end in the British hard rock machine called "Whitesnake" (1978–1986), is the sort of musician collectors like me quietly obsess over because the evidence is on the record: tight, musical, never flashy for the sake of it, and always moving the song forward. Before that Whitesnake era properly caught fire, the man earned his stripes in the mid-70s heavy-progressive circuit with the Ian Gillan Band (1975–1978) and Colosseum II (1975–1977), where the playing demanded brains, stamina, and a strong back. Post-Whitesnake, the resume keeps getting weirder in the best way—stints with "Black Sabbath" around 1989–1991, then later the Brian May Band (1998), and other hard-rock projects that prove one thing: when you need a bassist who can make big guitars feel even bigger, Murray tends to be the name that shows up on the call sheet.
- Ian Paice drums
Ian Paice is a legendary British drummer best known as the only constant member of Deep Purple, contributing to every lineup and album since 1968. His dynamic, powerful drumming shaped classics like Smoke on the Water and Highway Star. Beyond Deep Purple, he played with Whitesnake and Jon Lord. His influence on rock drumming is undeniable. Read his biography
- Dave Dowle drums.
Dave Dowle was the original drummer of Whitesnake, active only from 1978–1979.
He played on the band’s first two albums, Trouble and Lovehunter, giving their early sound its earthy, blues-rock drive.
Though his tenure was short, his drumming provided the backbone for Whitesnake’s rise in the late 1970s.
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Before Whitesnake, Dowle had already carved out a reputation as a versatile drummer with the band
Streetwalkers, formed by ex-Family singer Roger Chapman. His blend of solid rock rhythms
and a bluesy swing made him a natural fit for David Coverdale’s post-Deep Purple project.
With Whitesnake, Dowle recorded on their debut album Trouble (1978) and its follow-up
Lovehunter (1979). These records showcased Whitesnake’s fusion of hard rock power and
blues traditions, with Dowle’s steady grooves anchoring the flashy guitar interplay of Bernie Marsden
and Micky Moody, as well as Jon Lord’s organ textures.
Despite his contribution, Dowle’s time in the band was brief. In 1979, he was replaced by former
Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice, whose name recognition and heavier style helped Whitesnake
expand its international appeal. Dowle moved on to other projects, including collaborations in the
1980s and 1990s, notably with the band Monaco.
While not as widely remembered as his successor, Dave Dowle’s work on Whitesnake’s first two albums
remains a key part of the band’s foundation. His drumming captured the raw energy of their formative
years and helped establish the groove that would carry Whitesnake into the 1980s.
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