Guitar & Bass Tabs
White Lion
About White Lion
White Lion formed in 1983 in New York City, founded by Danish-born vocalist Mike Tramp and guitarist Vito Bratta. They built a reputation with a blend of polished melodic hard rock and arena-ready energy, releasing their debut Fight to Survive in 1985 which introduced their sleek guitar work and Tramp's emotive vocals. The early lineup also included bassists and drummers who helped lock in a tight rhythm section that could carry soaring guitar melodies.
Their breakthrough arrived with Pride (1987), featuring the hit ballad When the Children Cry; the album showcased Bratta's clean, lyric-led guitar lines and Tramp's soaring vocals, helping White Lion become one of the defining acts of late-80s melodic hard rock. Their music bridged glossy MTV-era rock and classic metal tones, earning them platinum status and legions of guitarists who emulated their tasteful solos and memorable riffs. Even after hiatuses and lineup changes, their influence persists among classic-rock players and collectors.
Today, White Lion's legacy continues to resonate with new generations of players. DadRock Tabs offers 12 curated lessons that unpack their signature riffs, soulful ballads, and precise rhythm parts, letting you study tracks like Wait, When the Children Cry, and Cherokee with clear, progression-based guidance.
🎸 Want to know what gear White Lion used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Lonely Nights
White Lion
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Hungry
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All Burn In Hell
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All The Fallen Men
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Cherokee
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Tell Me
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When The Children Cry
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Little Fighter
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Broken Heart
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All Join Our Hands
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Wait
White Lion
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White Lion's playing style centers on Bratta's melodic, lyric-led guitar work, complemented by Tramp's vocal melodies and a driving rhythm section. Bratta favors clean, articulate phrasing with an emphasis on memorable hooks, measured bends, and tasteful use of harmony leads. Expect a mix of blues-tinged pentatonic riffing for rhythm parts, palm-muted chugging for punch, and occasional neo-classical-inspired arpeggios and fast runs in solos. The bass often locks in with a tight groove, providing a solid bed for Bratta's leads, while the overall vibe remains polished and emotionally direct, prioritizing melody and tone over flash.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
White Lion's signature guitar tone came from humbucker-equipped guitars run through tube amps, creating warm, singing leads. Bratta's melodies are enhanced by tasteful use of chorus and delay, giving tracks their expansive, 80s sheen. The band's rhythm section—often a tight bass underpinned by solid drums—provides the bed for the lead lines and big, stadium-ready choruses.
Why Learn White Lion Songs?
Learning White Lion's songs is a practical pathway to building classic-rock guitar foundations. Their catalog features tight rhythm parts built from power chords and palm-muted chugging, coupled with melodic lead lines that emphasize phrasing, dynamics, and tone control. Songs like Wait offer riff-centric technique and groove, while the ballad When the Children Cry hones expressiveness, vibrato, and clean arpeggios. The 12 lessons on DadRock Tabs guide you from fundamentals to more nuanced solos, making these tracks accessible for intermediate players and a rewarding challenge for advancing players, while developing timing, pitch accuracy, and stage-ready tone.
Did You Know?
- 1White Lion formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish-born vocalist Mike Tramp and guitarist Vito Bratta.
- 2The 1987 album Pride yielded the hit single When the Children Cry, helping define late-80s melodic hard rock.
- 3Guitar virtuoso Vito Bratta became renowned for melodic, lyric-led leads and a polished 80s tone that inspired many players.
- 4The band split in 1991 after a string of success and later reformed, leaving a lasting legacy in classic rock circles.
11 White Lion lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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