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David Coverdale first came to prominence as the vocalist for Deep Purple. However, since 1978 he has been leading the band.
In May, the hard rock group, rounded out by Reb Beach (guitar), Joel Hoekstra (guitar), Michele Luppi (keyboards), Michael Devin (bass) and Tommy Aldridge (drums), releases its first album of new music since 2011’s “Forevermore.”
Hoekstra, who also tours as guitarist for Cher and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, recently discussed Whitesnake’s forthcoming album.
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Q: What’s going on with you today?
A: We just wrapped up rehearsals here in L.A. We start early — we're like the morning gang. We usually start rehearsing at 10 a.m. so we're the breakfast club out here. I don't want to scare you but that's the reality of it.
Q: What was the process like for this new Whitesnake album?
A: When I joined in 2014, we recorded "The Purple Album," which basically re-envisioned what David had done with Deep Purple. This was a chance to actually co-write and co-produce and have a stronger bond with some of the material so it's exciting.
Q: How was that experience?
A: It was an honor to be able to co-write with David Coverdale as well as my guitar partner Reb Beach. It was just a great experience, musically. In terms of the big picture, I was asked in as co-producer once they saw I had more to say about the album than, "Turn my guitar up louder." That was also a really cool thing. I look at it as the next natural step for me in Whitesnake.
Q: Album cycles are a relic of the past in the digital era. Is there still value in full-length recordings?
A: Absolutely, but it's David's call and he loves to write and he loves the creative process. We're on the same page with that. We're talking about a guy who, obviously, has the financial resources to retire today if he wanted to. David is doing all of this for the love and that's very inspiring.
Q: Did you play any of this new material live last year?
A: No, we were waiting until we at least had a few songs out into the world. We've been working on them in rehearsals so we can play the new material live. Of course, we'll play the hits for everybody too so it should be a great night of rock 'n' roll. We're ready to fire it up. I've got all of my rock attitude back out and I'm ready to get on stage and go.
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WANT TO GO?
Who: Whitesnake with special guests the Black Moods
Where: Rose Music Center, 6800 Executive Blvd., Huber Heights
When: 7 p.m. Monday, April 29. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Cost: $23.50-$59
More info: 937-228-2323 or www.ticketmaster.com
Artist info: whitesnake.com
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