Whitesnake/UFO legend Bernie Marsden recalls the highs, lows and baggage-carousel neurosis of touring
Charlie Watts once inadvertently summed up life on the road, when he answered a question about how long he’d been with The Rolling Stones. He said: “About 25 years. Five years of playing and 20 hanging about!”
I know exactly what he meant, and many others will understand if they have ever been on the road. Sure, it’s a wonderful thing to play the guitar for a living, but never forget that it’s also a job. I’m not comparing it with clocking in at 8am every day of the week and leaving at 5pm, but at least there you know when work starts and work ends.
When I turned professional at the age of 21 (at the end of 1972), everything was magical. I grew up in a town where you could count the number of cars on the road every day and so, to me, even traffic jams were enjoyable. Riding in a Cadillac along the whole length of the A5, the M1 or any new motorways, or starting a long trip to Scotland, Cornwall or Haverfordwest was initially exciting. The fuel was cheap and time seemed to evaporate into thin air… at least at the beginning. As the first few months of excitement dulled down, I realised that the job was going to be very hard work. Nobody ever believes that musicians work hard, but take it from me – they do.
Denne historien er fra Summer 2017-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Summer 2017-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
QUICK CHANGE
As Gibson finally adds some Quick Connect pickups to its Pickup Shop line-up, Dave Burrluck revisits this simple no-solder method to mod your Modern guitar
Return Of The Rack
A revered rackmount digital delay makes a welcome comeback in pedal form.
Pure Filth
This all-analogue preamp pedal based on Blues Saraceno's amp is a flexible powerhouse with a variety of roles.
Reptile Royalty
From Queen to King - there's another Electro-Harmonix royal vying for the crown of octave distortion
Tradition Revisited
Line 6 refreshes its Helix-based modelling amp range by doubling the number of available amp voicings - and more
Ramble On
Furch's travel guitar folds down so you can transport it in its own custom backpack and, the company claims, it returns to pitch when you reassemble it. Innovation or gimmick?
Redrawing The 'Bird
A fascinating reimagining of one of Gibson's more out-there designs, the Gravitas sticks with vintage vibe and mojo. Oh, and that sound...
1965 Fender Jazz Bass
\"They made them later on, but it's not something I've ever seen this early.
Boss Cube Street II
Regular readers will know that the last time I took the Boss Cube Street II out, I was in rehearsal for a debut gig in London.
STILL CRAZY
One of the most creative yet reliably great-sounding effects makers out there, Crazy Tube Circuits grew out of a fetish for old valve amps. We meet founder Christos Ntaifotis to find out more