Rock giants Journey and Whitesnake , will appear onstage together for the first time ever whilst playing eight dates across the UK throughout May 2013 along with special guests Thunder. These gigs are guaranteed to be showcases of rock supremacy and just in case you need to know more, here is a little info for you –
Journey, one of the most popular American rock bands of all time, are responsible for creating some of the best-known songs in modern music. Over the years they have gained multiple accolades – including 19 Top 40 singles, 25 Gold and Platinum albums and single Don’t Stop Believin’ holding the #1 digital catalogue song in history.
In 2011, Journey drew nearly a million fans to their 2011 Eclipse World Tour which included a sold-out UK leg and ranked in the Top 15 Tours of the year. In the same year the band were awarded the prestigious “Legend of Live Award” at the Billboard Touring Awards in honour of the band’s significant and lasting contributions to live music and the touring business, and in acknowledgement of their commitment to the fans and the art of performing live. Journey’s line-up features Neal Schon (guitars, backing vocals), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), Ross Valory (bass, backing vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Arnel Pineda (lead vocals).
Co-headlining the 2013 UK tour are the legendary Whitesnake who carry a reputation as one of the world’s leading rock’n’roll bands. Founded and formed by Deep Purple singer David Coverdale, the band have earned multi-platinum albums and multiple top 10 hits worldwide, including 2 number 1 singles with Here I Go Again and Is This Love, and more recently with Still Of The Night.
Photo Credit: © Steve Johnston
Bombast, bravado, talent and passion have helped establish Whitesnake as the perennial platinum favourite they have become and they’re back with a vengeance in 2013, with plans to release a live DVD ahead of the tour as well as a double album. “Unfinished business,” as Coverdale says slyly. “We all wanted the last tour to continue as we got closer to the end. After a year in the studio we’re ready to rock on stage again. We’re coming back for more.”
Harnessing Coverdale’s blues and soul roots and fuelled by incendiary guitarists Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach you have all the elements needed to shape the ‘Snake’s hard rock identity. The band will also feature the legendary Tommy Aldridge on drums and percussion.
Special guests Thunder will also be joining the UK dates. In 2009 the band went their separate ways, only to return in 2011 for a triumphant live performance at the High Voltage festival in London, followed by 2 sell out Christmas shows. Thunder returned for another two sell-out Christmas shows in 2012, with the date first selling out in just six hours. Now, the band has been lured back on to the stage as special guests on the Journey and Whitesnake UK arena tour in May.
Singer Danny Bowes says: “We’d already discussed possibly doing some shows in 2013, so this is perfect. It’s a great bill like they used to be back in the day. It’ll be a brilliant night out”.
Photo Credit: © Marty Moffatt
Whitesnake co-headlined the “Loud Park” festival on October 15th 2011 at Saitama Super Arena in Japan during their “Forevermore World Tour.”
The performance was initially recorded for Japanese TV and future Loud Park promotions, but after three songs were broadcast on a Loud Park highlights program in Japan, Whitensake received unprecedented requests for this performance to be made available for general release.
Having spent most of 2012 editing and mixing the Japanese concert in stunning HD as a multi format DVD-CD in 5.1 and stereo, just prior to commencing the ‘Year Of The Snake’ 2013 World Tour, this exceptional performance is a welcome addition to the history of Whitesnake live releases. Now fans can relive the irresistible magic of Whitesnake in concert any time their heart and loins may desire!
The ‘Forevermore’ songs alone are worth the price of admission, not forgetting the classic Whitesnake songs, “Is This Love,” ”Still Of The Night” and “Here I Go Again,” all peformed at the height of their musical powers. It’s all here. This is what Whitesnake fans, new and old, have been clamouring for. Highlights include blistering guitar work from the band’s six string guitar slingers, Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach, who both celebrate their 10th anniversary with the band this year.
Whitesnake also features the earth-shaking rhythm section, The Wrecking Crew featuring Michael Devin (bass) and Briian Tichy (drums), who anchor the deep and dirty foundation of Whitesnake. The band is accompanied by the swirling sonic tapestries of special guest keyboardist Brian Ruedy, and of course, the chest beating, seductive vocals of front man and founder, David Coverdale.
After hearing the sound check recordings from the different Japanese venues, the band decided to include them in the package as special bonus content. They agreed that everything would be related to their 2011 Japanese tour. So, when you think about it, it is appropriate they’ve called the project “Made In Japan.”
Made In Japan tracklistings –
CD 1
- Best Years
- Give Me All Your Love Tonight
- Love Ain’t No Stranger
- Is This Love
- Steal Your Heart Away
- Forevermore
- Six String Showdown
- Love Will Set You Free
- Drum Solo
- Fool For Your Loving
- Here I Go Again
- Still Of The Night
BONUS CD 2
- Love Will Set You Free (Sound Check)
- Steal Your Heart Away (Sound Check)
- Fare Thee Well (Acoustic Version)
- One Of These Days (Acoustic Version)
- Lay Down Your Love (Sound Check)
- Evil Ways (Sound Version)
- Good To Be Bad (Acoustic Version)
- Tell Me How (Acoustic Version)
DVD & BLU-RAY: TRACK LISTING
- Best Years
- Give Me All Your Love Tonight
- Love Ain’t No Stranger
- Is This Love
- Steal Your Heart Away
- Forevermore
- Six String Showdown
- Love Will Set You Free
- Drum Solo
- Fool For Your Loving
- Here I Go Again
- Still Of The Night
- Forevermore (fan video)
- Steal Your Heart Away (fan video)
Frontiers Records releases “Whitesnake: Made In Japan” on Deluxe 2CD/DVD, Blu-ray and DVD on Monday April 22.
Don’t miss “Journey” and “Whitesnake” with very special guests “Thunder” on tour in the UK during May 2013.
Order tickets online from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.livenation.co.uk
UK Tour dates –
Glasgow SECC (May 18)
Sheffield Motorpoint Arena (May 20)
Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (May 22)
Manchester Arena (May 23)
Nottingham Capital FM Arena (May 25)
Cardiff Motorpoint Arena (May 26)
Birmingham LG Arena (May 28)
London Wembley Arena (May 29)
I was a huge fan of Whitesnake in their earlier years and was fortunate to have been enthralled by seeing them play live several times up until about 1980/81. I recently had the opportunity to put a few interview questions to David Coverdale on behalf of the Rockandrollreport –
Nick – I enjoyed seeing Whitesnake perform live several times up to about 1981/2. A lot of people, myself included prefer your earlier material. In your own words, what has ‘Made In Japan’ and the upcoming UK tour got that would attract fans of all Whitesnake era’s?
DC – Fortunately, I enjoy all of Whitesnake’s chapters & fortunately, a lot of people still support my work after you appear to have left it…Thankfully, you weren’t missed…
I think you would be surprised at how many of the ‘old guard’ still follow & support the band…But, please yourself…
Nick – Whitesnake have been around for thirty five years now and has had many changes to the line up of band members. I assume that this must have had an affect on the bands creativity, if so could you share some of the pros and cons of this with us?
DC -You assume wrong…Did you prepare for this by listening to any of our recent recordings?…I’m personally thrilled by the creative output of this chapter of the band…All the changes brought elements that helped prolong the life & energy of the band…
Nick – I heard that ‘Fool For Your Loving’ was originally written for BB King. Could you clarify this and add any information about it?
DC – Yes, it was originally written with BB in mind, at the time he was recording with The Crusaders…When we cut the demo it was obvious we should hang on to it…It was our first significant ‘hit’ & got us noticed…I’d still love to hear him sing it…
Nick – How did your breaks from the music business and reformations affect the shape and sound of Whitesnake?
DC – Every break was worthwhile…I came back charged & renewed…& chose players with whom I felt could help take the band creatively further…
Nick – Whitesnake and Journey have had a connection for some time, how does it feel to be touring with them and also Thunder?
DC – We haven’t started the tour yet, but, are all friends & mutual admirers…It will be a lot of fun for us & for the crowd…
Nick – ‘Made In Japan’ is not far from release now, what more can you tell us about this and also the planned double album ‘Unfinished Business’?
DC…It’s a great memory for anyone who enjoyed the 2011 ‘Forevermore World Tour’…What’s this ‘Unfinished Business’ you’re talking about?
We have a double live CD coming out in July called ‘Made In Britain’…
Nick – During your career you have seen many changes to the industry, what do you see as the pros and cons of these changes?
DC – There are always changes…the only way to deal with it is to roll with it…Change is inevitable…& if you are still passionate & caring about what you do you can explore & open up new avenues to maintain a career in music…Never give up…
For me the glass is always half full…never half empty…
The basic elements are still in play even with the music business upside down…It’s about writing music you want to play & performing it for as many people as possible…
Thankfully, we still have a very substantial world wide support out there to maintain a successful profile…
We have 500,000 people hooked into Whitesnake.com thro’ Facebook & I’ve recently started playing around with other social media like Twitter…Shitty name, but, it’s an amazing way to spread the word & involve people who are interested in the band…
Nick – Do you have any advice for the many new bands and musicians out there at the moment?
DC – Yes…before you sign anything, consult an independent lawyer who can explain to you, in the simplest terms, what that contract involves you are being told you have to sign…
The rest is simple…concentrate on ‘songs’…Good songs have the potential to live for a very long time…
Nick – One extra question is to ask if there are any plans for a world tour?
DC – Of course…the is the ‘Year Of The Snake World Tour’ 2013…We’re headed all over the fucking planet…
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