Classic Rock reports that, Mel Galley, guitarist of Trapeze and Whitesnake, has lost his battle with cancer of the oesophagus. The Midlands-born musician was a member of Finders Seekers with bassist Glenn Hughes, and together they co-founded Trapeze in 1969. He had just turned 60 years old - the photo with Glenn Hughes Link] was taken at his 60th birthday party.

"Mel was my hero growing up as a kid in Cannock," Hughes tells Classic Rock. "He was four years older than me and along with Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton was one of my guitar gods. He taught me music, and more importantly, how to live. After Cream, Trapeze were the greatest English rock trio." When Hughes reluctantly accepted an offer to join Deep Purple, a far bigger band, in 1973, Trapeze continued with Pete Goalby (later of Uriah Heep) on vocals. Along with brother Tom, Galley helped to guide the Phenomena project, which featured the likes of Cozy Powell, Neil Murray, Budgie's John Thomas and current Deep Purple keyboard player Don Airey, before accepting an offer from David Coverdale to join Whitesnake. Though he toured with the band and played on 1984's "Slide It In" album, a freak arm injury seemed to have curtailed Galley's career. However, with the help of a specially developed spring and wire device that was fitted to his hand, affectionately called 'The Claw', he was able to bypass the problematic nerve endings. In 1986 he formed MGM with fellow ex-Whitesnake alumni Bernie Marsden and Neil Murray, then worked on another Phenomena record. However, after a 1991 Trapeze reunion that featured Hughes and drummer Dave Holland, by then a star in his own right with Judas Priest, plus Geoffrey Downes of Asia on keyboards, Galley elected to retire from performing. After a well-publicised fracas with a stalker - curtailed when Galley confronted the individual on the latter's doorstep - he had just begun playing music again when his illness was diagnosed.

In February, Galley announced that he was dying of cancer. Bravely, instead of wallowing in self-pity he made the most of the time he had left. "I have been very lucky," he wrote at his MySpace site. "I have seen some great bands, played with many great musicians and enjoyed some tremendous experiences. I am thankful that I can say a proper goodbye to all the friends I have made, who are now rallying round me."
Even as his condition worsened, Galley continued to post encouraging, amusing updates. When he was no longer able to go to the pub, "now the pub to me," he joked. "Friends visit me each day, I have drugs in me 24/7, and I have a plentiful supply of gin and tonic by my bedside. I even have my own ice machine! In fact it's just like my Whitesnake days." "What grace and dignity indeed", marvels Glenn Hughes.

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Source:	classicrockmagazine.com
Band profile:	Whitesnake

Whitesnake mainman David Coverdale has issued the following update:

"Just a quickie to let you know that all is ship shape and moving along wonderfully. I am thrilled, erect nipples an' all, with the new songs and very excited to be presenting them to you later this year. SPV's wish-list is for an October release, so, we're not having to pressure ourselves with too extreme a deadline. God Willing, those days be gone. As far as touring, it appears this will also be late summer, as the entire world is out there on the road through the summer, doing their very best to seduce y'all. My US agent told me that every single amphitheater in every major city in the States has a 'name' act headlining every night of the week this season...so, unless any significant touring opportunity presents itself I think we'll concentrate on making a cracking record that will make us all proud.

I see some of you were curious if I had ever met Mr. Brad Delp, who sadly, recently passed away. No... I didn't have the pleasure, I'm sorry to say. I only crossed paths with Tom Scholz when we played the Texas Jam together way back when - a tale I will share at a later date. My sincere condolences to Brad's Family - a tragic loss.. It's interesting you should ask about Glenn (Hughes).

I was talking with Doug (Aldrich - guitar) recently that I was thinking that some of the new songs could use some of Glenn's extraordinary singing, but, just a thought at this time. I haven't discussed anything with him. We shall have to see how that goes, so please don't be holding me to anything. Glenn and I were in touch recently, with him telling me about his tour in Russia. He tells me there is great interest in a DP Mark 3 reunion over there."

Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Whitesnake

A 12:49 version of the classic Whitesnake track 'Crying In The Rain' being performed live at the famous Rock In Rio festival in Brazil in 1985 can be viewed here.

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Source:	bravewords.com
Band profile:	Whitesnake