Bernie Marsden, the original guitarist of the band Whitesnake, has died, according to a statement from his family. He was 72 years old.
Marsden died peacefully with his wife, Fran, and daughters, Charlotte and Olivia, by his side on Thursday evening, his family wrote on Instagram.
"Bernie never lost his passion for music, writing and recording new songs until the very end."
One of the UK's foremost rock and blues guitarists, Marsden wrote or co-wrote many of Whitesnake's hits, including Fool for Your Loving, She's a Woman,
Walking in the Shadow of the Blues, Trouble and the international chart-topper Here I Am Go is included.
Born in Buckingham in 1951, Marsden made his debut in 1972 with the rock band UFO.
After working in several bands and a short-lived project with former Deep Purple member Pace Ashton Lord,
Marsden formed Whitesnake in London in 1978 with former Deep Purple members.
Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale and guitarist Mickey Moody.
Marsden performed on the first EP, five albums and one live album, from Snakebite (1978) to Saints and Sinners (1982).
He also released two solo albums, And About Time Too (1979) and Look at Me Now (1981), during this period.