Whitesnake's "1987" Album: A guitarist's perspective

Guitar lessons by Danny Gill

Released in 1987, Whitesnake's self-titled album (also known as "1987") is a landmark in hard rock and heavy metal music. 1987 was a massive crossover hit, selling over eight million copies in the US alone and produced the major power ballad hit, “Is This Love”, along with the number one hit “Here I Go Again. This album, featuring guitarist John Sykes, offers a rich array of guitar techniques, solos, and riffs that make it a classic and an essential listen for any guitarist.

Lick Library veteran, Danny Gill shows you note for note the highlights of each song, how Whitesnake fused blues riffs with rock and pop influences to create the groundbreaking guitar work that helped make ‘1987’ a classic album. In this article, we will dive deep into the album's songs, focusing on their guitar-driven aspects and dissecting the contributions made by the talented John Sykes.

Track by Track Analysis

1. Still of the Night

A powerful and iconic opener, "Still of the Night" showcases Sykes' prowess with heavy riffs and blazing solos. The song features minor pentatonic scales and a combination of power chords and palm-muted syncopated rhythms. The guitar solo displays impressive alternate picking, string bending, and legato techniques, which contribute to its memorable and energetic nature.

2. Give Me All Your Love

This track offers a more upbeat and catchy vibe, with a driving rhythm that features open-string riffs and power chords. Sykes' use of the Mixolydian mode gives the song its major tonality. The guitar solo is full of energy and includes techniques such as slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs.

3. Bad Boys

"Bad Boys" is a hard rock anthem with a driving rhythm and an aggressive edge. The song utilizes power chords and barre chords, with Sykes employing palm-muting and galloping rhythms for added intensity. The solo section showcases his remarkable skills with fast alternate picking, string bending, and sweep picking.

4. Is This Love

One of Whitesnake's most famous ballads, "Is This Love" features a more melodic approach to guitar playing. The song highlights arpeggiated chord progressions and clean guitar tones, with Sykes using the major scale to create a tender and emotional atmosphere. The guitar solo incorporates bluesy bends, slides, and tasteful vibrato.

5. Straight for the Heart

"Straight for the Heart" is an upbeat track with a driving rhythm and a catchy chorus. Sykes employs a combination of power chords and open-string riffs, giving the song its signature sound. The guitar solo showcases Sykes' technical prowess with alternate picking, string bending, and legato techniques.

6. Looking for Love

Another melodic ballad, "Looking for Love" features arpeggiated chord progressions and a clean guitar tone. The song's emotional depth is enhanced by Sykes' use of the major scale and the incorporation of chromaticism. The guitar solo is full of emotion, with a strong emphasis on vibrato and bluesy bends.

7. Children of the Night

"Children of the Night" is a heavy, driving track that showcases Sykes' ability to create catchy and powerful riffs. The song features power chords, palm-muted rhythms, and open-string riffs. The guitar solo is a whirlwind of fast alternate picking, string bending, and legato techniques.

8. You're Gonna Break My Heart Again

This track is a hard-hitting rocker with a driving rhythm and aggressive edge. Sykes employs power chords and barre chords, using palm-muting and galloping rhythms for added intensity. The guitar solo showcases his technical mastery with alternate picking, sweep picking, and string bending.

9. Crying in the Rain

Another iconic Whitesnake ballad, "Crying in the Rain" features a clean guitar tone and arpeggiated chord progressions. Sykes uses the minor scale to create an emotional and melancholic atmosphere. The song also includes a dramatic and extended guitar solo, showcasing Sykes' talent with techniques such as vibrato, string bending, and legato.

10. Don't Turn Away

"Don't Turn Away" is a mid-tempo track that combines power chords with arpeggiated chord progressions. The song features a strong melodic sensibility, with Sykes using the major scale to create an uplifting atmosphere. The guitar solo is both expressive and technical, with a focus on vibrato, string bending, and alternate picking.

John Sykes: Lead Guitarist and His Contributions

John Sykes, the lead guitarist on Whitesnake's "1987" album, played a crucial role in defining the sound of this iconic record. Sykes' style is characterized by his aggressive and powerful playing, coupled with a strong melodic sensibility. His ability to seamlessly blend various guitar techniques into memorable riffs and solos is a testament to his skill as a musician. Throughout the album, Sykes demonstrates his mastery of a wide range of techniques, from alternate picking and legato to string bending and sweep picking. His contributions to the "1987" album have made it a favorite among guitarists and an essential part of hard rock and heavy metal history.

Whitesnake's "1987" album is a testament to the immense talent of John Sykes and the band as a whole. It offers guitarists a treasure trove of techniques, riffs, and solos that continue to inspire and influence musicians to this day. By exploring the various aspects of the album's guitar work, guitarists can gain a deeper understanding of Sykes' style and learn to appreciate the intricacies of his contributions. The album remains a classic in the hard rock and heavy metal genres, and its legacy will continue to endure for years to come.

Guitar Techniques Used in the Album

Whitesnake's "1987" album showcases an impressive array of guitar techniques, expertly executed by lead guitarist John Sykes. Throughout the album, Sykes masterfully employs alternate picking, legato, string bending, and sweep picking to create powerful riffs and memorable solos. Additionally, he skilfully incorporates palm muting, syncopated rhythms, open-string riffs, and galloping rhythms to drive the intensity of the songs. Sykes also demonstrates his melodic sensibility with arpeggiated chord progressions, bluesy bends, and tasteful vibrato. The combination of these techniques makes "1987" a must-listen for guitarists seeking inspiration and technical insights.

Here's a list of guitar techniques used throughout Whitesnake's "1987" album. These techniques are explained in detail at the respective links provided:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Tremolo Picking
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios
• Harmonics
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Barre Chords
• Sweep Picking
• Hammer-ons
• Slides
• String Bending
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Open-String Riffs
• Bluesy Bends
• Galloping Rhythms
• Chromaticism