Whitesnake – The Purple Album (2015)
Released in 2015, The Purple Album is the thirteenth studio album by Whitesnake, led by vocalist David Coverdale. The album pays tribute to Coverdale’s Deep Purple legacy, featuring re-recorded versions of classic Deep Purple songs from the Mark III and Mark IV eras, updated with Whitesnake’s hard rock style.
The Purple Album bridges Whitesnake’s signature sound with iconic Deep Purple tracks, showcasing Coverdale revisiting his early career with a modern production twist.
Album Credits
Band Members:
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David Coverdale – Lead Vocals
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Doug Aldrich – Guitar
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Reb Beach – Guitar
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Michael Devin – Bass
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Tommy Aldridge – Drums
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Timothy Drury – Keyboards
Producer: David Coverdale & Michael McIntyre
Label: Frontiers Records
Release Year: 2015
Genre: Hard Rock / Classic Rock
Cover Art & Design
The cover features a coiled white snake over a purple background, reflecting both the album title and the band’s iconic imagery.
The design merges Whitesnake’s branding with a nod to the Deep Purple legacy, creating a visual tribute to the roots of Coverdale’s career.
Musical Style & Sound
The Purple Album is characterized by:
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Hard rock reinterpretations of classic Deep Purple tracks
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David Coverdale’s powerful and melodic vocals bringing a modern Whitesnake feel
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Dual guitar arrangements from Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach
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Polished production combining modern clarity with classic rock energy
Tracks like Stormbringer, Mistreated, and Soldier of Fortune are reimagined with Whitesnake’s signature arena-ready approach while honoring the original compositions.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Deep Purple Tribute: The album features re-recordings of songs from the Mark III and Mark IV lineups of Deep Purple, highlighting Coverdale’s contributions.
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Modern Twist: Whitesnake updated arrangements and guitar solos, giving the tracks a fresh, hard rock edge.
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Guitar Collaboration: Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach provide technical, harmonized leads that complement the original melodies.
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Touring: Whitesnake performed many of these reimagined tracks live during the subsequent world tour.
Did You Know?
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The Purple Album was released as part of Whitesnake’s celebration of David Coverdale’s Deep Purple history.
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The album includes some of the most iconic songs Coverdale sang in Deep Purple, reinterpreted for a new generation.
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The project allowed Whitesnake to explore heavier guitar-driven arrangements while preserving melodic integrity.
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Tracks like Mistreated have been praised for maintaining emotional depth while adding modern production polish.

