Ready An' Willing

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your hippie DJs from THE ZOO cranking up the cosmic vibes with “Ready An’ Willing” by Whitesnake from their killer 1980 album Ready An’ Willing. This bluesy rock anthem, also called “Sweet Satisfaction,” is all about chasing love with a swagger, driven by David Coverdale’s soulful wail and those catchy riffs from Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden. Fun fact: the song hit No. 43 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1980, as noted on Official Charts, making it one of the band’s early chart wins. In a chat with This Is Dig, Coverdale called the recording sessions at Ridge Farm Studios a blast, with the band gelling like never before. Fans on Whitesnake’s X account love its live energy, with one Zoo Freak in the Whitesnake Fans Facebook group sharing how they saw it performed at Donington ’83, where Coverdale’s ad-libs had the crowd roaring. It’s got that raw, feel-good vibe that makes you wanna crank it loud!

Digging deeper into “Ready An’ Willing,” this track’s got a special place in the band’s history as the title cut of their breakthrough album. Guitarist Bernie Marsden told Ultimate Classic Rock that the addition of Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice was a game-changer, giving the song its driving pulse. The lyrics, like “I wanna be loved, don’t wanna be teased,” are pure Coverdale, blending cheeky charm with bluesy grit, as fans on Whitesnake Fan Club point out. A cool tidbit from Faceoff Rock Show is that the song’s bluesy riff was a playground for Coverdale’s vocal improv, making every live version a little different. One fan in the Facebook group mentioned stumbling on a remastered live take from the 1979 Reading Festival, where Jon Lord’s organ solo sent chills. If you’ve got a “Ready An’ Willing” story, Zoo Freaks, drop us a line!

So, how did Whitesnake get their start? Picture London, 1978, with David Coverdale fresh off his Deep Purple days, ready to carve his own path. After cutting two solo albums, White Snake and Northwinds, he formed Whitesnake with guitarists Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden, bassist Neil Murray, drummer Dave “Duck” Dowle, and keyboardist Brian Johnston, as detailed on AllMusic. The name came from his solo record, and the band kicked off with the Snakebite EP, hitting No. 61 on the UK Singles Chart. By 1979, Jon Lord, another Purple alum, joined for Trouble, and Ian Paice hopped on for Ready An’ Willing, turning the band into a Deep Purple mini-reunion. Their early blues-rock sound, inspired by Bad Company and the Faces, built a loyal UK fanbase through albums like Lovehunter and relentless touring with acts like Jethro Tull. By the mid-’80s, they’d morph into a global hard rock force with hits like “Here I Go Again,” but it all started with that gritty, soulful vibe we’re spinning today.

Wanna keep the Whitesnake party rolling? Check out their official website for tour news, merch, and all things snake-related. They’re on Facebook and Instagram, posting killer live shots and throwbacks to their ’80s glory days. Follow their X account for updates and fan banter about classic tracks like “Fool for Your Loving.” For more community love, join the Whitesnake Fans Facebook group or swing by the Whitesnake Fan Club, where diehards share rare vinyl finds and stories from epic shows like the 1980 Reading Festival. Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the blues-rock fire burning!