All About The Rock
The fourth album in Bernie Marsden’s Inspirations Series, ICONS is out on 9th May 2025.
There have been so many loving tributes to Bernie Marsden since he passed away peacefully in 2023 at the age of 72.
Nicky Wire (Manic Street Preachers):
“As a young teenager, Whitesnake were a gateway into my musical education – I was always impressed and seduced by Bernie’s amazing ability to play with great melodic sweetness and a burning blues ferocity. He really was a master of his art”
Steve Lukather:
“From the first time I met Bernie I knew he was a special person.
He was a great musician and kept the pure original UK blues guitar style alive yet in his own way, whether it was the early Whitesnake or his many other projects thru the years as an incredible player and songwriter and singer.
Tone and touch and taste. That was Bernie.”
Joe Bonamassa:
“Humble, kind and larger than life, I will always cherish my time with him and regret the moments we won’t have together. This is such a great loss to me personally and a tremendous loss to the music world. He was a superstar in every imaginable way.”
Bernie always wore his influences on his sleeve, whether through his stage set or on his albums.
In addition to 2023’s WORKING MAN, his latest album of original songs, Bernie also released three chart busting solo albums since 2021 in KINGS, CHESS and TRIOS as part of his Inspirations series. In these albums, he paid tribute to the artists that helped shape his taste in music and distinctive guitar style.
With the approval of Bernie’s widow, Fran Marsden, the fourth album of studio recordings in the Inspirations Series, ICONS, is released on 9th May 2025. Out on LP, CD and the digital services, ICONS includes recordings celebrating Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Peter Green and more.
The basic tracks that form ICONS were recorded across various sessions in the last few years.
Most have been mixed from scratch by Bernie’s ‘go to’ studio guy for the last 20 years, the talented Jamie Masters at Echo Studios in Buckingham, England.
Ade Emsley has lovingly mastered ICONS, as he has with the earlier albums in the Inspirations Series.
One of these new mixes is a beautiful rendition of Rory Gallagher’s “Calling Card”.
Bernie and Rory were close friends over the years and a full album “Bernie Plays Rory” was self-released many years ago.
Donal Gallagher spoke of their bond:
“Over the years, the two guitarists would meet on the road and bond together in muso language. Following my brother’s passing, dear Bernie was one of the first musicians to call and to pay tribute to Rory, on the phone call Bernie asked if he could play my sibling’s Stratocaster, so, at the Buxton Opera House tribute concert, I had no hesitation in letting Bernie be the first guitarist to perform with the instrument and Marsden did Rory’s orphaned guitar proud. In guitar heaven I’m sure the two musicians are jamming and discussing the merits of their instruments.”
Alan Bambrough, speaking on behalf of Conquest Music, emphasized their profound connection with Bernie:
‘Bernie Marsden was far more than an artist to Conquest Music. He has been a great friend and mentor for many years and was a huge part of our decision to form the label.
His KINGS album was our first release, and we are proud to work with his company, Little House Music in releasing some of his finest ever work.
The ICONS album can be ordered from the special Bernie Marsden shop. Each order will also include an exclusive free Collectors’ Card. Of course, it is also available on the digital platforms and other retail outlets.
The Inspirations Series will have one final album STAGE, out later this year to represent the amazing Bernie Marsden live performance experience.
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