'Most generous' Marsden dies aged 72

Musician and author Bernie Marsden has died aged 72, his publisher has confirmed.

HarperCollins said: “On behalf of his family, it is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Bernie Marsden. Bernie died peacefully on the evening of Thursday (24th August) with his wife, Fran, and daughters, Charlotte and Olivia, by his side.”

Marsden was an English Blues-Rock guitarist. In the late 1970s, he joined David Coverdale in the newly formed Whitesnake, helping to establish the band as a major live rock band in Europe and Japan.

In 1982 he co-wrote the multi-million selling song “Here I Go Again” before leaving Whitesnake. This song then topped the US charts in 1987 and is known today as one of the biggest rock anthems of all time. He has been a gigging professional for nearly 50 years.

In 2017 he self-published memoir Where’s My Guitar? which was then published by Fourth Estate two years later.

“Bernie never lost his passion for music, writing and recording new songs until the end,” HarperCollins said.

Michelle Kane, his editor at Fourth Estate, said: “Working with a cultural hero like Bernie Marsden has been one of my greatest working privileges. He was the kindest, funniest and most generous of men and my thoughts are with his wonderful family at this devastating time.”