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Driving down the mountain with DC
David Coverdale’s specal feature that appeared on Vintage TV on July 26 has now been posted online on their website. It contains an exclusive interview done at his home on Lake Tahoe, some Whitesnake clips from the abundance of hairspray era, and a preview of his new live DVD shot last year during his the Purple tour. All in all 4 parts about 12 minutes each.
Head over to Vintage TV to watch.
Thanks to mike whiteley for the heads up and to nupsi59 for the best intentions.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
All it takes & no mistakes…. is just a slip of the tongue. Smiles to ya.
August 2nd, 2016 at 08:30David has always pretended to be someone he isn’t. And at the end of the day he is just fake-Plant. Can’t see that that poodle rock “Still of the night”, it’s ridiculous how he tries to replicate Led Zep. Complex of inferiority.
August 2nd, 2016 at 11:33Oh dear lets not be throwing the word fake about No 2. Especially when Plant and Page are returning to court.
King regards
August 2nd, 2016 at 14:20Ken
I could’ve done without the cringe-worthy hair metal videos,but it was a good interview.
August 2nd, 2016 at 15:13I hope the upcoming DVD features a fair chunk of The Purple Album.
Fake Plant is better than the real Plant in my opinion.
August 2nd, 2016 at 16:34But I disagree entirely with your statements, as I do with people who say he tried to emulate Paul Rodgers.
Still..haters gotta hate, don’t choke on that bile!
It’s not that I “hate”. Burn is among my favourite LPs. However, being an “old times fan” of DC, I can’t escape feeling that part of the DC commercial success is following other super mega stars rather than own personal original creativity. And “Plant” thing was mentioned as an example (+ whomever you imitate, doesn’t make you any closer)
August 2nd, 2016 at 19:02Only a moron would make the comments of @2. Those comments are designed to anger. It’s funny how an a hater will say…yeah but I’m a fan of “Burn” but then give some washed out explanation on how they are right.
The output of quality work put out by the Purple camp since the 1970s heyday is absolutely amazing…that is including Rainbow, Gillan, Whitesnake and Puple itself. Zep can’t touch it. LZ died in the late 70s! Sonce then, Plant had a few pop hits, Page had the Firm and a few one off Zep reunions. Ok, a couple of shows here and there by Robert. Really, Led Zep is dead and buried and have been for a long time.
Reality is Coverdale has always taken the high ground when attacked by Plant in the press. Plant acts like he owns the genre. Coverdale has had a longer and since mid eighties more relevant career. I think these stats of Albums Coverdale performed on are pretty interesting:
BURN- Gold in five countries
STORMBRINGER- Gold in Four Countries
Come Taste the Band – Gold in Two Countries
Last Concert in Japan- Gold in Japan
The Very Best of Deep Purple- Platinum in US and Gold in four Countries
30:Very Best of Deep Purple- Gold UK
SMOKE ON THE WATER- Best of Deep Purple – Gold x2 in France
Smoke on the Water and other hits – Gold France
READ N WILLING – Gold UK
COME AN GET IT – Gold UK
SLIDE IT IN- Platinum x2 USA
WHITESNAKE- Platinum UK, Platinum X 8 USA, Platinum X 5 Canada
SLIP OF THE TONGUE- Gold UK, Platinum USA, Platinum x2 Canada
LIVE IN THE HEAR OF THE CITY: Platinum UK
WHITESNAKES GREATEST HITS: GOLD UK, PLATINUM USA
THE BEST OF WHITESNAKE: Gold USA
BEST OF WHITESNAKE: Gold UK
TRILOGY: Platinum USA
LIVE IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT: Gold UKI
Why did I write this down? This level of excellence over extended periods in multiple markets with many other musicians is NOT an accident, it is not a mistake, it is not a sellout and it is not some attempt to copy Plant. Sure Plant has had his hits and a great career but he and @2 are exposed as petty by attacking Coverdale without the ability to recognize DC’s sustained performance. Why, I say jealousy pure and simple.
You want to see a Zep copy, check out Zebra.
Ok…I do like DC in case you did not figure that out.
August 2nd, 2016 at 21:39I don’t think that I’ve ever heard any originality in any rock & roll music. The genre borrows from anything & everything, as is it’s want. It’s about making something that sounds good, & sells. The words ‘rock & roll’ are slang for sex. Sex music!. Would anyone disagree with that?. So surely Coverdale/Whitesnake is the epitome of rock & roll music, Q.E.D.!. D.C. is a winner, get used to it. Anyway, over the decades I’ve grown rather fond of his musical ejaculations!. We wish you well….
August 3rd, 2016 at 00:29A relatively interesting film. It’s interesting that although Coverdale remains vilified by a large part of the rock press and, it seems, some Deep Purple fans he continues to be the most successful offshoot of Deep Purple, possibly more so than that band itself these days. He has turned out great work and some less than great work since 1973 and I’ve never understand the Plant comparisons (or Rodgers for that matter).
He remains one of the last great British rock stars and I think he should be cherished more. Can’t see anyone following on in his tradition and, oh yes, I really enjoyed the Purple Album and having not seen one of those shows I look forward to the DVD etc.
August 3rd, 2016 at 10:24I agree with whiteley (although I love all WS fases, I’m mostly an old times fan); It’s a great interview. Coverdale is one of the greatest voices of all time and one of the pilars of the lovely and astonishing structure of the Purple edifice.
And I love his spiritual vision of human existence.
August 3rd, 2016 at 11:29His voice isnt what it was but he still entertains and I still like the vain old tart.
August 3rd, 2016 at 12:31I prefer the early blues/bluesrock era of Whitesnake, but that kind of music wasn’t the big thing in the middle of the 80’s. And when you are walking in the music business, you wish to earn money, big money! The success of the “US-Whitesnake” came along with the music-tv and and the huge sales of the new medium “CD”.
I’ve read somewhere: “They had the right album at the right time.”
A decade earlier another british band was nearly bankrupt: Genesis.
They began to make “radio-friendly” music and a few years later they filled the big stadiums along with U2, Queen or Dire Straits.
Another band is Pink Floyd. The idea behind “Dark Side of the Moon” was finally to got famous and to earn much money.
Today hip hop-crap rules the “charts”, young kids are streaming music and have no idea what they hear!
Remember Bob Seger, who sang the truth a long time ago: “Today’s music ain’t got the same soul, I like that Old Time Rock and Roll”
So let’s wait for the next real thing: the new studio-album from Deep Purple!
Have a nice Day!
August 3rd, 2016 at 12:47to be frank who cares who people think he modelled himself on,if you like him then you listen and enjoy what he does if you don’t then why put yourselves through the obvious significant pain it causes you and old DC still retains the ability to smile has a sense of humour as well as turning out the odd jewel every now and then, he won’t be around for many more years so I for one will enjoy with all the shortcomings that exist as we’ll miss him, and indeed Percy when the end comes
August 3rd, 2016 at 17:02Oh dear oh dear Coverdale’s been around for over 40 years,played with the best in the business Blackmore,Page,Vai, the great Jon Lord to name just 4 of many yet still people question his integrity and motives.Would these masters of their instruments have anything to do with DC if he wasn’t a great performer in his own right.I think not
August 3rd, 2016 at 18:11Long career, like David passion blues and hard vocal , passion on the stage, David is always offered tone and image
August 4th, 2016 at 06:16singing in three bands
First Deep Purple MK III and IV, old- good rnr band Whitesnake / 1978-1984 /”The British part”,” The solo part of the US” from 1987 to today ,”David and others” .
David is the best, no surrender
and messages
below career, return to the origins, a little more ” Sound British David” 🙂
Hey guys, I’m not hater, an idiot etc. Just obvious, what I said. (And if u don’t see the truth, enjoy)
August 4th, 2016 at 15:43David Coverdale is a great singer and a song writer if you want to compare him with Plant then you need to compare whitesnake with what Plant did as a solo artist. Whitesnake is David Coverdale and Even Ian Paice said several times in interviews that David should have named Whitssnake as Coverdale. Now if I had two tickets one to see Ian Gillan as a solo live and one ticket to see Coverdale as whitesnake then I would chose To watch Whitsnake. As a singer Coverdale is still at the top of his game. His voice is still in great shape and he is much fitter than Gillan or Plant for a two hour show. Having said that DP in its current line up with all its short falls in their individual artists they are still the best band on Earth.
August 5th, 2016 at 11:22@17: Without comparing DC to anyone, without name calling, just listening to his performances the last ten years or so, how can you seriously say he “is still at the top of his game”?
People can be how much fans they want, I always loved WS myself, almost more than DP if we talk about the early stuff. But it is impossible to claim DC is a top singer these days.
Yes, everyone is getting older, we can of course not compare him to when he was 30 years younger. But where is the end? When do you reach the point where it isn’t singing at all anymore? If he lost his voice completely and couldnt get a single sound out of his throat, would all “fans” still claim he sings good?
With this and the recent Rainbow gigs, it’s the old Emperor’s New Clothes Again.
August 5th, 2016 at 11:56I know a singer who should finish, his is name is big, and he is NOT David Coverdale.
August 5th, 2016 at 17:36Although I always felt that DC should not destroy his warm soul voice on a lot of screaming its not that I often think of the comparison with Plant.
The music after 1990 is forgettable while Plant cruised all kinds of avenues, so much variety!
He had several bands backing him and often this sounded wonderful.
Pagey indeed lost his way somehow. I dont know if its drugrelated or not.
Glenn had the best voice of the DP singers since 1990 but always pushes many potential fans away with his annoying hig screaming or what do call it….
He ll never learn and or change, such a waste.
Well, it is what it is.
August 5th, 2016 at 17:43@18
August 5th, 2016 at 18:30Of course you have raised some valid points but I never compared Coverdale with anyone outside his age bracket and I did not cross compare ie a singer with a guitarist of certain age.
Sadly when you have to tour a lot and sing in mid size venus so you can make ends meet and pay all band members and make a bit money in the end will take its toll on any singer. If Jagger can survive 15 shows a month that would be a miracle.
Coverdale is still standing tall and he is very composed on stage in comparison to Plant and Gillan. I think!!!
Yeah Adel! absolutely!! I may be a bit slow but I don’t get this compaing DC-Plant. Plant was great; DC was and still IS Great!
And the purple legend shadows the mighty Led Zep, say sorry.
Long days and pleaseant nights!
August 5th, 2016 at 20:10I enjoyed this (although the music videos took up too much time) and David did appear fairly relaxed. I wouldn’t call him a Plant rip-off because he has carved his own path, and even when some of his vocal phrasing has been similar to Plant’s we all know it’s David (and I don’t think it was a conscious effort to sound like Robert). David’s record sales are interesting, with the threshold being much lower after 1975 (roughly half) for platinum and gold disc qualification, but even so he has done remarkably well. Purple’s are quite a bit higher than they appear due to the change in disc qualification, but it’s difficult to argue with 150 million albums sales (as Glenn said concerning the R ‘n’ R HoF).
Like Ian, David’s voice isn’t what it used to be, but then that is no surprise given their age (especially so with regards to Gillan, who is older and has toured even more than David). Only Glenn and Paul Rodgers still have great vocal ranges, but then Glenn didn’t perform a great deal after Purple until the mid 1990s. David can still have his moments in the studio and when touring he tries to have a day off to rest between each gig. On the clips of the soon-to-be released live dvd David does sound rough, and I find this quite upsetting when remembering how fantastic he used to sound (for me, his voice appears to be in worse condition than Ian’s). However, he always gives it his all for an audience, and he should be applauded for this not derided. Like Ian, Plant, Dio, Glenn, Freddie, and Rodgers (apologies if I’ve forgotten others), David is one of the greatest rock singers of all time. I don’t question his desire to continue playing heavy music after the current tour, but I do question his ability to sing this music live at this level because he clearly struggles with it. Unfortunately, playing live is where the money is now rather than from diminishing record sales and a 30th anniversary tour of the 1987 album will pull in the crowds. I’d love to seem him perform in a more intimate environment, playing an acoustic set and talking about the interesting life he has led. Still, if he feels up to continuing then let the man, because has definitely earned the right.
August 6th, 2016 at 12:21Svante @ 18,
Though I do agree with part of your entry here regarding many Fans and their inability to fathom the reality of their heroes losing their abilities due to getting older, there is also the point about the hero realizing their impairment and adjusting to it. David Coverdale can still sing beautifully. His problem is that he just won’t let go of the Hair Band Screaming days. There is a huge catalogue of outstanding Whitesnake and DP-MK3 songs that he can do with greatness. He would do himself some great justice if he would refrain from centering on all those high end, screaming songs and choose those that suit his voice. Gillan has done this very well. Only the hard core narrow minds complain that he can’t hit those super high end notes. Overall, Gillan has mastered his craft with extreme dignity and the albums that Purple put out these days reflect that also. Coverdale on the other hand not only plays all the old Hairband stuff at his shows, but also all of his latest albums contain that same style of play and singing. I just watched the 2 DVD’s back to back of Deep Purple, “To the Rising Sun in Tokyo” and “From the Setting Sun in Wacken”. These are awesome performances and truly professionally filmed and produced. Really well played and the songs chosen make Everybody look and sound incredible. Especially Gillan. He can still get in there with some nicely placed high end jabs but has come to terms and knows full well where his limitations are and avoids overdoing it and making a fool of himself. I recommend all of you out there to get these DVD’s and sit back in front of a big screen TV and enjoy it. This is Quality Purple and really incredible.
So in short………. Are any of them truly “at the top of their game”? Of course not. Are they still able to get the job done? Absolutely, with smart song selection and adjusting to the point of getting it done RIGHT based on recognizing their present abilities. Center on present strong points of range and strength. Shy away from the areas that just don’t come through anymore. “Can’t do it? Then DON’T”. Then, the majority of the experience at these live shows and on the albums shines through with the greatness of who they are TODAY. Yesterday is GONE. Live and enjoy the Present with dignity and gusto….
Ch-BeerZ
August 6th, 2016 at 14:46I saw WS in 1980 (opening for Jethro Tull), DC’s voice was already going, he sounded really bad. Can’t speak to what he sounds like now, since I haven’t seen their recent shows. Gillan still sounds great, although he’ll never be able to do “Child in Time” again.
But, the big question – Does DC forget his words like Gillan does? Ian hasn’t remembered the words to “Lazy” since the 70’s, if he ever did.
February 6th, 2021 at 04:18