Whitesnake – Whitesnake (1987)
Released in 1987, Whitesnake (also known as 1987 in Europe) is the eighth studio album by Whitesnake, led by vocalist David Coverdale. This album marked the band’s commercial breakthrough in the United States, featuring a more polished, glam metal-influenced sound that combined hard rock riffs with arena-ready hooks and power ballads.
Whitesnake (1987) is widely regarded as the band’s most successful release, producing iconic hits and cementing their status as global hard rock superstars.
Album Credits
Band Members:
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David Coverdale – Lead Vocals
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John Sykes – Guitar
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Neil Murray – Bass
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Aynsley Dunbar – Drums
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Don Airey – Keyboards
Producer: Mike Stone & Keith Olsen
Label: Geffen Records / EMI
Release Year: 1987
Genre: Hard Rock / Glam Metal
Cover Art & Design
The album cover features a striking illustration of a coiled white snake on a dark background with the band’s logo prominently displayed.
The artwork emphasizes danger, power, and sleek rock aesthetics, perfectly reflecting the album’s high-energy, commercially polished sound.
Musical Style & Sound
Whitesnake (1987) is characterized by:
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Heavy yet melodic hard rock with arena-ready choruses
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Powerful and soaring vocals by David Coverdale
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Virtuosic guitar riffs and solos by John Sykes
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Polished production emphasizing hooks, rhythm, and harmonies
Standout tracks like Here I Go Again, Is This Love, and Still of the Night combine aggressive riffs, catchy melodies, and ballad-driven emotional impact, defining the album as a classic of 1980s hard rock.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Commercial Success: The album reached multi-platinum status in the US and UK, with Here I Go Again hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Music Videos: Iconic videos featuring Tawny Kitaen helped propel Whitesnake to MTV fame.
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Lineup Changes: John Sykes contributed much of the guitar work, but left the band shortly before the album’s promotional tour.
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Arena Rock Influence: The album’s polished sound and anthemic songs helped shape 1980s arena rock and glam metal.
Did You Know?
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Here I Go Again was originally recorded in 1982, but the 1987 re-recording became a worldwide hit.
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Still of the Night is considered one of Whitesnake’s heaviest tracks, combining neoclassical guitar influences with hard rock intensity.
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David Coverdale’s vocals on the album range from bluesy grit to soaring power ballad delivery, showcasing his versatility.
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The album is frequently cited as one of the defining hard rock albums of the 1980s.
