WHITESNAKE guilty of love BPP420

The Snake Charmer’s Shape: Whitesnake ‘Guilty Of Love’ Picture Disc (BPP 420)

Today’s entry is a stunning visual artifact from the golden era of novelty vinyl. We are examining the 1983 UK Shaped Picture Disc of the single “Guilty Of Love” by Whitesnake, released on the Liberty label with the catalog number BPP 420.

A Visual Heavy Metal Statement

Released in August 1983 as a teaser for the forthcoming album Slide It In, this 7-inch single is cut into a custom shape featuring a striking image of frontman David Coverdale.

- Side A: Features the full-color photo of Coverdale.
- Side B: Contains the track information and credits.

The Music: Produced by Eddie Kramer

Musically, the single captures the band in transition.

- “Guilty Of Love”: A driving, up-tempo rocker that became a live staple.
- “Gambler”: The B-side features this moody, bluesy track which also opens the Slide It In album.
- Production: Interestingly, these tracks list Eddie Kramer as producer, documenting the early sessions for the album before the US remix overhaul.

Collector’s Details

This is a quintessential example of the 1980s UK trend for shaped discs:

- Pressing: Manufactured by Orlake Records, as indicated by the matrix runouts (`BP+450+A ORLAKE`).
- Format: It plays at 45 RPM and serves as both a playable record and a display piece for die-hard fans.

It is a fun, collectible slice of rock history that embodies the flamboyance of 80s arena rock.