Alan Rogan 1951 – 2019

Whitesnake alumnus Bernie Marsden remembers a legendary guitar tech who worked with more major artists than almost any other and became an influential force in guitar in his own right

This is a piece I would rather not have written. Paying tribute to a long-time friend, a guitar man through and through, and a mate who stayed at the top of his game for 40-plus years. I met Alan Rogan when he was working at the Top Gear guitar shop in Denmark Street in the mid-70s. He had moved to London from his native Gateshead. I was into my third year as a pro – I was a regular visitor to the shop, but Alan could spot an up-and-coming player.

Alan loved guitars. He was a decent player but wise enough to realize that his future was not going to be on the stage but the weird and wonderful world of backstage. Al was in a few bands, but went into the technical side, aka roadies. There was no division in those days, really; getting a job on the road with Free, Mott The Hoople or any name band was greeted with pleasure by all of us.