Luckily, David Coverdale's back on tour in support of their 2011 album, Forevermore, and a live album/dvd Made in Japan released earlier this year, recorded from the original Forevermore tour back in 2011. We had a chance to catch-up with David last week, just a few weeks before he brings Whitesnake to The Warfield in San Francisco on August 9th -- be sure to get tickets here and let's hope that it's just as good as the show I caught nearly 25 years ago!
SFBAC: You've been performing professionally for over 40 years, and over that time the music business has changed dramatically. What are your thoughts on the changes that have occurred?
David Coverdale: It’s the nature of things to change...Change doesn't disturb me...on the contrary, I embrace it...Bring it on!!
SFBAC: Can you describe how you felt when "Here I Go Again" hit #1, after the second time it was released?
DC: Well, initially, I was pissed that Geffen wanted me to re-record an older song, instead of focusing on new material...but, he was right...it is still the most commercially successful Snake song out there...Pretty amazing when you think it’s about my first marriage breaking down...
SFBAC: You're returning from a tour of Asia and Europe, can you describe how your audiences/fans differ across regions?
DC: Not really...I've been playing music globally for 40 years...Music is an international language that crosses all borders...they all want a good reason to let off steam & have an emotional & physical release...& we’re only too happy to oblige...
SFBAC: Of all the places you've toured in the past, what cities stand out and why?
DC: Some places I feel very connected to, like Lisbon...Helsinki...London, of course...but, we’re really fortunate that our music has support wherever we go...Very fortunate...
SFBAC: What type/size venues do you prefer to play and why?
DC: I’m wide open if there are enthusiastic crowds to play too...some smaller venues work well, as do the bigger arenas...We pretty much are familiar with all types of venues...
The audience ultimately holds the outcome, energetically, at least...I always perform better when there’s an positive energy cycle being fed to the crowd, fed back to us, from us to them...ad infinitum...It’s what makes shows memorable...when there are no barriers between band & audience...
SFBAC: Do you have any favorite memories/stories from past performances in the SF Bay Area?
DC: Well...there was that incident with the water bed back in 74...
SFBAC: As music/recording technology has changed over the years, how has that impacted the way you write and record music? Can you describe that process?
DC: When Doug Aldrich & I are writing on Pro Tools, our basic, original demos usually have a significant place in the finished product & that’s rare for me...but, working in the digital zone makes the impossible possible...We embrace it & make it work for us...that’s the bottom line...make it work for YOU...
SFBAC: Do you think emerging artists of today have the staying power and longevity of artists who emerged prior to Napster and iTunes?
DC: Who knows...I don’t think many people gave positive odds I’d still be kicking arse in 2013...I certainly didn’t...For me it’s ‘songs’...songs can live forever...concentrate on your songs...
SFBAC: Of all the artists you've either worked with or toured with over the years, who stands out and why?
DC: Def Leppard we get on great with...The Answer...Thunder...Just great players with seriously positive attitude & players who CARE about maximizing the live experience for everyone involved...
SFBAC: What are you currently listening to?
DC: Right now the warm, dusty winds blowing thro’ the pines across Lake Tahoe...& a bit of Native American flute to accompany it...
SFBAC: Thanks again for making the time and we're looking forward to the show in August!
DC: My pleasure...
Here's "Here I Go Again" from the Live in Japan album:
