Whitesnake rock concert – HMV Apollo

Way back in 1990 I went to the 10th Monsters of Rock concert at Donnington to see Whitesnake, when they had already been playing together for 10 years. I’ve subsequently been to Whitesnake concerts in 1994 and 2004 (where I managed to be interviewed on camera and therefore appeared on a Whitesnake DVD) and was looking forward to seeing them last night at the HMV Apollo (aka Hammersmith Odeon).

But yesterday wasn’t a good day – it was cold and rainy, I was under immense work pressure and a rotator cuff injury meant that my left arm was so painful I could hardly move it. I became even more despondent when I realised that my £39.50 tickets were for standing in the stalls – so no rock chick heels for me then. Still, with a fellow ageing rock fan we made our way to Hammersmith. As we entered, I tried not to take notice of the posters for other forthcoming attractions – but ads for Alice Cooper at Halloween at the Alexandra Palace, Darkness, Motorhead and Cyndi Lauper caught my eye. So perhaps I will get along to a few more rock concerts…

I grabbed a drink and made my way to the stalls area – the recorded rock music was blaring and the crowd were well and truly up for it. I used to smell dope at rock concerts, but on this occasion all I got was the overpowering whiff of Ralgex. The Who’s “My Generation” bought a smile to my face – my friend thought that the audience looked like a gathering at a PTA meeting – I thought it was more like a church social. There was a sea of grey and balding heads and one or two suits amongst the generally macho leather-clad, tatooed, slightly overweight and long haired men. But everyone was very friendly and I felt well at home.

At 9pm David Coverdale – blonde poodle perm gleaming against his white shirt and twinkly chains down his legs - came on stage (can you believe he is 60 this year!). When the roar of approval died down, he addressed us with an easy, confident charm in a surprisingly well spoken accent – after some banter with the audience and some cheeky references to “racks”.

The first track (“Best years of our lives”) was highly appropriate in view of the age of the audience – and as Coverdale celebrates 30 years in the business. Then he went straight into “Is this love?” and everyone joined in. We were then treated to some tracks from the new album (Forevermore). Usually, I hate it when bands play new stuff when you want to hear the old stuff but I have to say that I really enjoyed them (“Steal your heat away” had the great line - “I want it all and I want it now”). And for those of you who think Whitesnake only do smaltzy ballads – these guys can still rock!

There were some rather lengthy – but impressive – guitar solos, where two of the three guitarists took it in shifts – no doubt the rest of the band were grabbing a quick fag outside (how else do you maintain that raunchy, raw voice?). Then there was a long drum solo. Ok, we get it, you’re rock musicians and proud of it!

After several trademark “ere’s a song for ya” shouts, we did some of the more familiar numbers including “Ain’t no love in the heart of the City”. Unfortunately, the Ibuprofen (and scotch) was wearing off at this stage and I was being jostled left, right and centre in the middle of the crowd so pain dictated that I had to reluctantly leave – and before I heard my all time favourite track – “Here I go again”. Never mind, I’m sure these guys will still be rocking in ten years’ time – and I’ll catch it then.