Adrian Vandenberg recalls injury that sidelined him for Whitesnake’s ‘Slip Of The Tongue’ album

Adrian Vandenberg recalls injury that sidelined him for Whitesnake’s ‘Slip Of The Tongue’ album

Vandenberg’s Moonkings and former Whitesnake guitarist Adrian Vandenberg was recently interviewed by Andrew Catania for All That Shreds to promote his band’s new album Rugged And Unplugged, which was released via Mascot Records earlier this month.

Vandenberg spoke at length about the injury that sidelined him for Whitesnake‘s Slip Of The Tongue album that was released back in 1989. The guitarist advised (with slight edits): “It was a severe injury. It was shitty. When we were initially in the studio, I went to a physical therapist where we were recording, I went to an acupuncturist, I went everywhere, and nobody could tell me what it was. When I had my dad on the phone, he told me to find an alternative therapist.  I found a therapist in Holland that specializes in nutrition.  Most professional musicians are going to have issues with their wrist, arm or back like violin players usually have shoulder problems or a drummer could have a back issue.

I went to the clinic, and they discovered the problem. They found that the problem didn’t come from my wrist itself it came from my neck. I realized that I had a car accident back in 1981 and I developed whiplash. Nobody spoke about whiplash at the time; they called it a pain in the neck. I stayed home for two or three weeks. The pain in my neck subsided. I had an x-ray done back then. The clinic said It’s probably coming from your neck and they did x-rays, and it showed that the discs in between the vertebrae in my neck that I developed a hernia.  I had two hernias pressing against the nerve that goes with my right hand, thumb and index finger. That’s how you hold a pick.

Back in 1991, I had two surgeries in the United States to remove the bulging disks. So over the years subconsciously, I developed the tendency to put more expansion in my right arm. It took quite a while for me to get back to the original way I played guitar.

I know it’s been quite a process. I didn’t have any problems, and it was just in time to do the tour with Steve Vai. It was a shitty circumstance. But, I did record and tour with Whitesnake when the Restless Hearts album was released. It was released only in Europe, but it will be released in the US soon. I’m not sure about a specific date.”

In terms of whether there are any plans for a 30th year anniversary edition of the Slip Of The Tongue album, Vandenberg stated: “Yes! I’m going to be re-recording a bunch of guitar parts for a special edition of the Slip of the Tongue 30th Anniversary next year. I’ll be putting my stamp on the album that I couldn’t due to my injury.”

You can read the rest of the interview with Adrian Vandenberg at All That Shreds.