McCartney Times

Rock and blues guitarist Bernie Marsden, primarily known for his work with Whitesnake, once turned down working with The Beatles star Paul McCartney and says that rock anthem Here I Go Again changed his life forever.Bernie co-wrote many of Whitesnake’s hit songs, with lead singer David Coverdale, including the multi-million selling 1980’s chart-topper Here I Go Again.After 40 years in the music business, Bernie has written an autobiography called ‘Where’s My Guitar’ (On The Tour Bus With The Snake Man).Speaking on Forces Radio BFBS with Richard Hatch and Verity Geere he started by explaining that interesting book title. You can watch a stripped back acoustic performance of Here I Go Again further down.Interestingly Bernie turned down working with Paul McCartney to join Whitesnake. Not something everyone can claim. Bernie explained just how bizarre the whole situation was: “I got a call from The Wings office, with Paul McCartney and I had to ring up afterwards and say well thanks for being interested in me, but now I have to let you know that I’m forming a band with the guy from Deep Purple.“Mull of Kintyre was number one and I thought do I want to play that or do I want to be in a rock and roll band with a guy from Deep Purple?”In the video below Bernie picks up his guitar and starts performing Here I Go Again for Forces Radio BFBS listeners.The Whitesnake guitarist has met everyone. His autobiography features pictures of him with dozens of celebrities including blues singing legend B.B. King, singer and rapper Mary J Blige plus Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman. Bernie once met actor Tom Cruise and was impressed by how down to earth he was, saying: “He sang my song, he made the effort to come and meet me on the day of the premiere. He didn’t have to do that.“He made sure that my kids were looked after and they got autographs and photographs.”In 2006 Here I Go Again was ranked number 17 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the ’80s. Speaking about how Whitesnake’s most famous single changed his life Bernie said: “It’s one of the great American radio anthems. It has multi-million plays on the radio. As we speak today it will be on the radio in America probably 50 times.”Bernie’s book is available from www.berniemarsden.com

Source: Here I Go Again: Turning Down Paul McCartney, A Life Changing Single And Being Serenaded By Tom Cruise