List of Whitesnake band members

Because of the close links between David Coverdale's other projects and Whitesnake, notes on Whitesnake members/former members work on Coverdale's other work is included. Whitesnake is so strongly controlled by David Coverdale that it could almost be called a solo project of Coverdales, dressed up to appear to be a unified band. This may explain why so many people who worked on his "Page & Plant" duo album with Jimmy Page and his three solo albums have been in Whitesnake.

The inclusion of these details helps to construct an accurate chronology.

David Coverdale backing bands - transformed into Whitesnake (1976-1978)

Whitesnake wasn't so much formed, as evolved. It was put together during the process of David Coverdale's post-Deep Purple solo career. He began work with classic Whitesnake guitarist Micky Moody on both his solo albums. The touring band in 1978 that Coverdale used (to support his "Northwinds" album) was the band that would become Whitesnake very shortly.

Second Era Whitesnake: Temporary reunions (1994-1998)

Carmassi would join Whitesnake for the 1994 "Greatest Hits" Reunion tour which was organised shortly after Coverdale put the new compilation together. All three would join the band in 1997 for "Restless Heart" (though this was initially meant to be a David Coverdale solo project, and Pratt and Tuggle left before the support tour).

David Coverdale returns to solo work and tours (1998-2002)

Hilland, Franklin, and Carmassi all joined Coverdale for his "Into the Light" solo album.

Third Era Whitesnake: 25th Anniversary reformation (2002-present)

In 2002, Whitesnake reformed fully. Unlike the reunions of the mid 1990s, this is a full time lineup as existed previously in the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s.