The Skyliners

Formed in 1963 by vocalist Roger Barker, who soon left to manage the Redcar Jazz Club. When their singer Norie Ray called it a day, their guitarist had to handle the vocals until bass player Malcolm Buckton spotted David Coverdale fronting Denver Mule at the final show at Kirby College.  The Skyliners were worried Coverdale wasn’t really into their style of music, which now included a brass section.  In the end he was auditioned and given a trial starting in November 1968.  With the loan of a microphone and support from Roger Baker, including a lot of opening slots at the jazz club, the band did quite well. They changed their name to The Government and even supported Deep Purple at an early Mk 2 show.

More information in the Whitesnake Biography.