I remember when: I interviewed David Coverdale

I've always loved Whitesnake. Without irony in 1987, when at 7, I found a cassette single of 'Still Of The Night' in my dad's collection. And still without irony as the '00s became obsessed with '80s rock nostalgia.

And so I was nervous and excited about interviewing 'Sir' David Coverdale for Metal Hammer in 2005.

What I took away: many of the questions I asked had doubtless been asked before and Sir David had the quick and polished responses to prove it. So it was reassuring when he paused, stumbled and gave an answer that felt unrehearsed.

Funny how, sometimes, the imperfect is a sign of doing it right.