# List of Whitesnake members

Whitesnake are a British hard rock band originally from London. Formed in 1978, the group originally consisted of vocalist David Coverdale, guitarists Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden, bassist Neil Murray, drummer Dave Dowle and keyboardist Brian Johnston. The current lineup of the band includes Coverdale, drummer Tommy Aldridge (from 1987 to 1990, 2003 to 2007, and since 2013), guitarists Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra (since 2003 and 2014, respectively), keyboardists Michele Luppi (since 2015) and Dino Jelusick (since 2021) and bassist Tanya O'Callaghan (also since 2021).

## History
### 1978–1986

Following the release and promotion of his debut solo album White Snake in 1977, vocalist David Coverdale formed the band of the same name the following February, with the original lineup including guitarists Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden, bassist Neil Murray, drummer Dave "Duck" Dowle and touring keyboardist Brian Johnston. After their first few shows, the group replaced Johnston with Peter Solley (although he was still credited as a "special guest", rather than a full member) and recorded their debut EP Snakebite. By August, Solley had also been replaced by Jon Lord, Coverdale's former bandmate in Deep Purple, in time for the recording of their debut album Trouble. Dowle was replaced in July 1979 after the recording of Lovehunter by Ian Paice, another Deep Purple alumnus. After Ready an' Willing and Come an' Get It, Whitesnake were placed on hiatus by Coverdale in early 1982, during which time Marsden, Murray and Paice all left the band for other projects.
Coverdale reformed the group in October 1982, with Moody and Lord joined by new members guitarist Mel Galley, bassist Colin Hodgkinson and drummer Cozy Powell. After the recording of Slide It In, Moody and Hodgkinson left in December 1983, with John Sykes and the returning Neil Murray taking their places. Both new members featured on the US reissue of the album, which featured re-recorded tracks. A few dates into the subsequent tour, Galley broke his arm and was forced to leave the band, who completed the shows as a five-piece. Lord also left in April, to rejoin his former bandmates in reforming Deep Purple. Whitesnake subsequently continued performing as a four-piece, adding Richard Bailey as a touring keyboardist throughout the rest of the year. After two Rock in Rio performances in January 1985, Powell also left to form Emerson, Lake & Powell. A few months later, the band started recording their self-titled album with new drummer Aynsley Dunbar and session keyboardist Don Airey.

### 1987–1997

After it was completed the previous year, Whitesnake was released in 1987. Shortly before its release, Coverdale put together an all-new lineup which included former Dio guitarist Vivian Campbell, former Vandenberg guitarist Adrian Vandenberg, and former Ozzy Osbourne bassist and drummer Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge. After the end of the album's touring cycle, Campbell left the band. He was replaced the next April by Steve Vai, formerly of David Lee Roth's solo band. Vai performed all guitars on the group's next album Slip of the Tongue, after Vandenberg suffered a wrist injury that prevented him from playing. For the album's touring cycle, Rick Seratte joined on live keyboards. At the end of the tour in late September 1990, Coverdale chose to disband Whitesnake.
In 1994, Coverdale reunited Whitesnake following the breakup of Coverdale–Page, touring between June and October 1994, in promotion of the Greatest Hits album. The band's lineup included returning members Vandenberg and Sarzo, in addition to Ratt guitarist Warren DeMartini, former Coverdale–Page drummer Denny Carmassi, and keyboardist Paul Mirkovich. At the end of the tour, the band's deal with Geffen Records expired and they disbanded again. A second reunion followed in 1997, when Coverdale, Vandenberg and Carmassi reunited alongside former Coverdale–Page touring members Guy Pratt (bass) and Brett Tuggle (keyboards) for Restless Heart. The album was initially intended to be released as Coverdale's solo album, however due to pressure from his new label EMI Records, it was released as a Whitesnake album. The tour, which ran from September to December 1997, featured Vandenberg and Carmassi, plus guitarist Steve Farris, bassist Tony Franklin and keyboardist Derek Hilland.

### 2003 onwards

After a five-year hiatus, it was announced in January 2003 that Whitesnake would reform for a tour the same year, with drummer Tommy Aldridge returning, alongside new members Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach on guitars, Marco Mendoza on bass, and Timothy Drury on keyboards. In April 2005, Mendoza left to pursue "other musical avenues", with Uriah Duffy taking his place the following month. In December 2007, it was also announced that Aldridge had departed, with Chris Frazier having replaced him, to record drums for Good to Be Bad, Whitesnake's first studio album since 1997. Both Frazier and Duffy had left by June 2010, with Brian Tichy and Michael Devin taking their places, respectively. Drury left to pursue a solo career in September, with his place taken on the Forevermore touring cycle by Brian Ruedy. After two years of touring, Tichy left in January 2013 and was replaced by Aldridge a few weeks later. Aldrich later left in May 2014, citing a desire to start a solo career.
Aldrich's place in the band was taken by Night Ranger guitarist Joel Hoekstra in August 2014. The following year saw the release of The Purple Album, a collection of recordings of tracks from Coverdale's time in Deep Purple. Shortly after the album's release, Michele Luppi was enlisted as Whitesnake's new keyboardist. Flesh & Blood followed in 2019. In July 2021, Whitesnake recruited Dino Jelusick for their 2022 farewell tour, turning Whitesnake into a septet for the first time. Later that November, Michael Devin parted ways with the band. He was replaced by Tanya O'Callaghan.

## Members
### Current members

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| David Coverdale | 1978–1990199419972003–present | lead and backing vocals | all Whitesnake releases |
| Tommy Aldridge | 1987–19902003–20072013–present | drumspercussion | Slip of the Tongue (1989)Live... in the Still of the Night (2006)Live: In the Shadow of the Blues (2006)Live at Donington 1990 (2011)The Purple Tour (2018)Flesh & Blood (2019) |
| Reb Beach | 2003–present | guitarbacking vocals | Live... in the Still of the Night (2006)Live: In the Shadow of the Blues (2006)Good to Be Bad (2008)Forevermore (2011)Made in Japan (2013)Made in Britain/The World Record (2013)all Whitesnake releases from The Purple Album (2015) onwards |
| Joel Hoekstra | 2014–present | guitarbacking vocals | The Purple Album (2015)The Purple Tour (2018)Flesh & Blood (2019)Restless Heart (2021 Remix) (1997) |
| Michele Luppi | 2015–present | keyboardspianobacking vocals | The Purple Tour (2018)Flesh & Blood (2019) |
| Dino Jelusick | 2021–present | keyboardsguitarbacking vocals | none |
| Tanya O'Callaghan | 2021–present | bassbacking vocals | none |

### Former members

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Neil Murray | 1978–19821983–1987 | bass, occasional backing vocals | all Whitesnake releases from Snakebite (1978) to Whitesnake (1987) except Whitesnake Commandos (1983) and Slide It In (1984) UK versionLive in '84: Back to the Bone (2014) |
| Micky Moody | 1978–19811982–1983 | guitarbacking vocals | all Whitesnake releases from Snakebite (1978) to Slide It In UK version (1984) |
| Bernie Marsden | 1978–1982 (died 2023) | guitarbacking and occasional lead vocals | all Whitesnake releases from Snakebite (1978) to Saints & Sinners (1982) |
| Dave "Duck" Dowle | 1978–1979 | drums | all Whitesnake releases from Snakebite (1978) to Live at Hammersmith (1980) |
| Jon Lord | 1978–1984 (died 2012) | keyboards | all Whitesnake releases from Trouble (1978) to Slide It In (1984)Live in '84: Back to the Bone (2014) |
| Ian Paice | 1979–1982 | drums | all Whitesnake releases from Ready an' Willing (1980) to Saints & Sinners (1982) |
| Cozy Powell | 1982–1985 (died 1998) | drums | Whitesnake Commandos (1983)Slide It In (1984)Live in '84: Back to the Bone (2014) |
| Mel Galley | 1982–1984 (died 2008) | guitarbacking vocals | Saints & Sinners (1982)Whitesnake Commandos (1983)Slide It In (1984)Live in '84: Back to the Bone (2014) |
| Colin Hodgkinson | 1982–1983 | bassbacking vocals | Whitesnake Commandos (1983)Slide It In UK version (1984) |
| John Sykes | 1983–1986 (died 2024) | guitarbacking vocals | Slide It In (US reissue) (1984)Whitesnake (1987)Live in '84: Back to the Bone (2014) |
| Aynsley Dunbar | 1985–1986 | drumspercussion | Whitesnake (1987) |
| Adrian Vandenberg | 1987–199019941997 | guitarbacking vocals | Whitesnake (1987)Slip of the Tongue (1989)Restless Heart (1997)Starkers in Tokyo (1997)Live at Donington 1990 (2011)Unzipped (2018) |
| Rudy Sarzo | 1987–19901994 | bassbacking vocals | Slip of the Tongue (1989)Live at Donington 1990 (2011) |
| Vivian Campbell | 1987–1988 | guitarbacking vocals | "Give Me All Your Love" (single version) (1988) |
| Steve Vai | 1989–1990 | guitarbacking vocals | Slip of the Tongue (1989)Live at Donington 1990 (2011) |
| Denny Carmassi | 19941997 | drumspercussion | session credit on "Here I Go Again" (single version) (1987)Restless Heart (1997)Unzipped (2018) |
| Warren DeMartini | 1994 | guitarbacking vocals | none |
| Paul Mirkovich | 1994 | keyboards | none |
| Brett Tuggle | 1997 (died 2022) | keyboardsbacking vocals | Restless Heart (1997) |
| Guy Pratt | 1997 | bass | Restless Heart (1997) |
| Steve Farris | 1997 | guitarbacking vocals | none |
| Tony Franklin | 1997 | bassbacking vocals | none |
| Derek Hilland | 1997 | keyboards | The Purple Album (2015) |
| Doug Aldrich | 2003–2014 | guitarbacking vocals | Live... in the Still of the Night (2006)Live: In the Shadow of the Blues (2006)Good to Be Bad (2008)Forevermore (2011)Made in Japan (2013)Made in Britain/The World Record (2013)Unzipped (2018) |
| Timothy Drury | 2003–2010 | keyboardsbacking vocals | Live... in the Still of the Night (2006)Live: In the Shadow of the Blues (2006)Good to Be Bad (2008)session credit on Forevermore (2011)Unzipped (2018) |
| Marco Mendoza | 2003–2005 | bassbacking vocals | Live... in the Still of the Night (2006)Unzipped (2018) |
| Uriah Duffy | 2005–2010 | bassbacking vocals | Live: In the Shadow of the Blues (2006)Good to Be Bad (2008)Unzipped (2018) |
| Chris Frazier | 2007–2010 | drums | Good to Be Bad (2008)Unzipped (2018) |
| Brian Tichy | 2010–2013 | drumspercussionbacking vocals | Forevermore (2011)Made in Japan (2013)Made in Britain/The World Record (2013)Unzipped (2018) |
| Michael Devin | 2010–2021 | bassharmonicabacking vocals | Forevermore (2011)Made in Japan (2013)Made in Britain/The World Record (2013)The Purple Album (2015)The Purple Tour (2018)Flesh & Blood (2019) |

### Session/touring musicians

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Details |
| Brian Johnston | 1978 | keyboards | Johnston was the keyboardist for Whitesnake's first few shows, but was not credited as a full band member. |
| Peter Solley | 1978 (died 2023) | keyboards | Solley replaced Johnston and performed on Snakebite, but was still credited as a "special guest" performer. |
| Richard Bailey | 1984–1985 | keyboards | Following the departure of Jon Lord in April 1984, Whitesnake enlisted Richard Bailey to take his place on tour. |
| Rick Seratte | 1989–1990 | keyboards | In the absence of a full-time keyboardist, Seratte performed on the tour promoting 1989's Slip of the Tongue. |
| Brian Ruedy | 2011–2013 | keyboardsbacking vocals | Following the departure of Timothy Drury in September 2010, Ruedy performed on the Forevermore tour. |

### Session musicians

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Bill Cuomo | 19831985–1986 | keyboards | Slide It In (1984)Whitesnake (1987) |
| Don Airey | 1985–19861988–1989 | keyboards | Whitesnake (1987)Slip of the Tongue (1989) |
| Tommy Funderburk | 1985–19861988–19891997 | backing vocals | Whitesnake (1987)Slip of the Tongue (1989)Restless Heart (1997) |
| Dann Huff | 1985–1986 | guitar | "Here I Go Again" (single version) (1987) |
| Mark Andes | 1985–1986 | bass | "Here I Go Again" (single version) (1987) |
| Claude Gaudette | 1988–1989 | keyboards | Slip of the Tongue (1989) |
| Glenn Hughes | 1988–1989 | backing vocals | Slip of the Tongue (1989) |
| Richard Page | 1988–1989 | backing vocals | Slip of the Tongue (1989) |
| Beth Anderson | 1997 | backing vocals | Restless Heart (1997) |
| Maxine Waters | 1997 | backing vocals | Restless Heart (1997) |
| Elk Thunder | 1997 | harmonica | Restless Heart (1997) |
| Chris Whitemyer | 1997 | percussion | Restless Heart (1997) |
| Jasper Coverdale | 2010 | backing vocals | Forevermore (2011) |
| Derek Sherinian | 2020 | keyboards | Sherinian performed on remixed versions of Slip of the Tongue and Restless Heart. |
| Christopher Collier | 2021 | percussionbacking vocals | Restless Heart (1997) (2021 remix) |

## Lineups

| Period | Members | Releases |
| February – March 1978 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Micky Moody – guitar, backing vocals Bernie Marsden – guitar, backing vocals Neil Murray – bass Dave "Duck" Dowle – drums, percussion Brian Johnston – keyboards (touring) | none – live performances only |
| April – July 1978 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Micky Moody – guitar, backing vocals Bernie Marsden – guitar, backing vocals Neil Murray – bass Dave "Duck" Dowle – drums, percussion Peter Solley – keyboards (session/touring) | Snakebite (1978) |
| August 1978 – July 1979 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Micky Moody – guitar, backing vocals Bernie Marsden – guitar, backing vocals Neil Murray – bass Dave "Duck" Dowle – drums, percussion Jon Lord – keyboards | Trouble (1978) Lovehunter (1979) Live... in the Heart of the City (1980) |
| July 1979 – January 1982 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Micky Moody – guitar, backing vocals Bernie Marsden – guitar, backing vocals Neil Murray – bass Ian Paice – drums, percussion Jon Lord – keyboards | Ready an' Willing (1980) Live... in the Heart of the City (1980) Come an' Get It (1981) Saints & Sinners (1982) |
| October 1982 – December 1983 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Micky Moody – guitar, backing vocals Mel Galley – guitar, backing vocals Colin Hodgkinson – bass, backing vocals Cozy Powell – drums, percussion Jon Lord – keyboards | Slide It In (1984) |
| December 1983 – March 1984 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Mel Galley – guitar, backing vocals John Sykes – guitar, backing vocals Neil Murray – bass Cozy Powell – drums, percussion Jon Lord – keyboards | Slide It In (US edition) (1984) |
| March – April 1984 | David Coverdale – lead vocals John Sykes – guitar, backing vocals Neil Murray – bass, backing vocals Cozy Powell – drums, percussion Jon Lord – keyboards | Live in '84: Back to the Bone (2014) |
| April 1984 – January 1985 | David Coverdale – lead vocals John Sykes – guitar, backing vocals Neil Murray – bass, backing vocals Cozy Powell – drums, percussion Richard Bailey – keyboards (touring) | Live in '84: Back to the Bone (2014) |
| August 1985 – April 1986 | David Coverdale – lead vocals John Sykes – guitar, backing vocals Neil Murray – bass Aynsley Dunbar – drums, percussion | Whitesnake (1987) 1987 Versions (1987) |
| April 1987 – December 1988 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Vivian Campbell – guitar, backing vocals Adrian Vandenberg – guitar, backing vocals Rudy Sarzo – bass, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums | none – live performances only |
| April 1989 – September 1990 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Adrian Vandenberg – guitar, backing vocals Steve Vai – guitar, backing vocals Rudy Sarzo – bass, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums Rick Seratte – keyboards (touring) | Slip of the Tongue (1989) Live at Donington 1990 (2011) |
| Band inactive September 1990 – June 1994 |||
| June – October 1994 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Adrian Vandenberg – guitar, backing vocals Warren DeMartini – guitar, backing vocals Rudy Sarzo – bass Denny Carmassi – drums Paul Mirkovich – keyboards | none – live performances only |
| Band inactive October 1994 – March 1997 |||
| March – September 1997 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Adrian Vandenberg – guitar, backing vocals Guy Pratt – bass Denny Carmassi – drums, percussion Brett Tuggle – keyboards, backing vocals | Restless Heart (1997) Starkers in Tokyo (1997) (Coverdale and Vandenberg only) |
| September – December 1997 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Adrian Vandenberg – guitar, backing vocals Steve Farris – guitar, backing vocals Tony Franklin – bass, backing vocals Denny Carmassi – drums, percussion Derek Hilland – keyboards | none – live performances only |
| Band inactive December 1997 – December 2002 |||
| December 2002 – April 2005 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Doug Aldrich – guitar, backing vocals Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals Marco Mendoza – bass, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion Timothy Drury – keyboards, backing vocals | Live... in the Still of the Night (2006) |
| May 2005 – December 2007 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Doug Aldrich – guitar, backing vocals Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals Uriah Duffy – bass, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion Timothy Drury – keyboards, backing vocals | Live: In the Shadow of the Blues (2006) |
| December 2007 – June 2010 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Doug Aldrich – guitar, backing vocals Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals Uriah Duffy – bass, backing vocals Chris Frazier – drums Timothy Drury – keyboards, backing vocals | Good to Be Bad (2008) Unzipped: Starkers in New York (2018) |
| August – September 2010 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Doug Aldrich – guitar, backing vocals Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals Michael Devin – bass, harmonica, backing vocals Brian Tichy – drums, percussion, backing vocals Timothy Drury – keyboards, backing vocals | Forevermore (2011) |
| March 2011 – January 2013 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Doug Aldrich – guitar, backing vocals Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals Michael Devin – bass, harmonica, backing vocals Brian Tichy – drums, percussion, backing vocals Brian Ruedy – keyboards, backing vocals (touring/session) | Made in Japan (2013) Made in Britain/The World Record (2013) |
| January 2013 – May 2014 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Doug Aldrich – guitar, backing vocals Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals Michael Devin – bass, harmonica, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion Brian Ruedy – keyboards, backing vocals (touring) | none – live performances only |
| August 2014 – April 2015 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals Joel Hoekstra – guitar, backing vocals Michael Devin – bass, harmonica, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion | The Purple Album (2015) |
| April 2015 – July 2021 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals Joel Hoekstra – guitar, backing vocals Michael Devin – bass, harmonica, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion Michele Luppi – keyboards, backing vocals | The Purple Tour (2018) Flesh & Blood (2019) |
| July – November 2021 | David Coverdale – lead vocals Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals Joel Hoekstra – guitar, backing vocals Michael Devin – bass, harmonica, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion Michele Luppi – keyboards, backing vocals Dino Jelusick – keyboards, backing vocals | none – live performances only |
| November 2021 – present | David Coverdale – lead vocals Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals Joel Hoekstra – guitar, backing vocals Tanya O'Callaghan – bass, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion Michele Luppi – keyboards, backing vocals Dino Jelusick – keyboards, guitar, backing vocals | none to date – live performances only |