Whitesnake legend Bernie Marsden sells his lifetime collection of amps and speakers from Milton Keynes

In 1970 Bernie Marsden worked as a trainee in a salon just around the corner from a store owned by Jim Marshall, creator of the iconic British Marshall amplifier.

He says it was whiling away his lunch hours in Marshall’s store that confirmed his passion for guitars and music was stronger than it was for washing hair.

“I had potential. Unfortunately, hairdressing didn’t suit the rock’n’roll lifestyle. My hands hurt from washing hair all day and the evening work didn’t fit in well with gigs, particularly on Fridays. I think I was only earning £3 a week.”

Bernie went on to become the guitarist behind rock band Whitesnake’s biggest hits, including Here I Go Again, Fool for Your Loving, Walking in the Shadow of the Blues and She's A Woman.

Now aged 69, he is selling much of his collection of amplifiers and speakers including models he used onstage with Whitesnake during the 1980s.

The gear has been stored in a lock-up on a farm close to his Buckinghamshire home. The 80 lots include amplifiers, speakers, guitar synthesisers, effects pedals and other equipment.

Also included is a four-piece drum kit built for legendary British rock drummer Cozy Powell, who died in tragically in 1998.

Bernie is selling much of his equipment so that other guitarists can use it or fans can buy a memento.

During his career, in addition to Whitesnake, he has played guitar with many including UFO, Elkie Brooks, Cozy Powell, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, plus Jon Lord and Ian Paice of Deep Purple in the band PAL.

He has recently co-written the latest album by US blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, Royal Tea. His autobiography Where’s My Guitar? was published in 2019 while his expansive private guitar collection was documented in Tales of Tone and Volume in 2018.

He said: “2020’s been a strange year but it’s given me time to realise that I have a lot of now completely unused quality equipment. This gear has done me proud but it’s time to pass it on to someone else.”

The auction will be held in Corsham, Wiltshire on Thursday 10 December.

Luke Hobbs, auctioneer at Gardiner Houlgate said: “This is the most significant Whitesnake memorabilia to come to market. We’re expecting lots of international interest, particularly from the US where the band reached number one.”

A percentage of the proceeds is being donated by Bernie to food bank charity The Trussell Trust and homelessness charity Crisis.

The equipment and other lots will be available for public viewing over Monday December 7 and Wednesday December 9 as well as on the day of the sale itself.

For more information contact Luke Hobbs or Jamie South 01225 812912 or 07718 988374 or by email at [email protected].