WHITESNAKE's DAVID COVERDALE Announces Retirement
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WHITESNAKE leader David Coverdale has officially retired.
The 74-year-old British-born rocker, who was also the lead singer of DEEP PURPLE from 1973 to 1976, announced the end of his five-and-a-half-decade career in a video message shared earlier today via his YouTube channel.
In the clip, which can be seen here. David said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, brothers and sisters of the 'SNAKE, a special announcement for you. After 50 years-plus of an incredible journey with you, with DEEP PURPLE, with WHITESNAKE, Jimmy Page, the last few years has been very evident to me that it's time really for me to hang up my rock and roll platform shoes and my skintight jeans. And as you can see, we've taken care of the lion's wig. But it's time for me to call it a day.
"I love you dearly. I thank everyone who's assisted and supported me on this incredible journey — all the musicians, the crew, the fans, the family. It's amazing, but it really is time for me to just enjoy my retirement. And I hope you can appreciate that.
"Once again, I love you with all my heart. Fare thee well."
In July 2024, WHITESNAKE and Bruce Dickinson bassist Tanya O'Callaghan was asked by Finland's Chaoszine if the Coverdale-fronted outfit would ever resume its farewell tour, three years after WHITESNAKE pulled out of its previously announced North American run with the SCORPIONS due to what was described at the time as Coverdale's "continued treatment for a persistent upper respiratory infection. She said: "We're hoping… We're hoping to finish the cycle at least, but I can't really speak fully for David because he's, as he says himself, never say never. But he's still recovering a little bit because that was a pretty intense tour run. And between rehearsals and everything, he had gotten sick and a lot of health stuff unfolded for him. But he's doing pretty good. He's really excited about doing the farewell DVD and the book, and all that will be hopefully next year, which is fantastic. And, as he says, never say never. Maybe we'll go out around that, but he wants to write and record some stuff. So WHITESNAKE is not finished… It's not over by any means. But I don't know what iteration it will be that is next. Maybe, hopefully, I hope we finish the tour cycle. I really, really hope we do 'cause it's a great group of people to work with."
In November 2021, Tanya officially joined WHITESNAKE as the replacement for longtime bassist Michael Devin whose departure was revealed a few days earlier.
In October 2023, Coverdale told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about WHITESNAKE's future plans: "Well, my band and I are in touch all the time. There is still a WHITESNAKE and there are still offers coming. I can't entertain anything until I get my physical aspect together.
"I had a fall recently, which I don't think helped my… I've got two torn rotator cuffs, which would certainly compromise my performance," he explained. "But arthritis, all this kind of stuff's kicking in.
"My heart goes out to Steven [Tyler] after the [2023 AEROSMITH tour] cancelation. It's so awful, getting older and having this burden of responsibility to try to be as good as you can so you don't disappoint anybody. And I know how he feels and I sent my love to him through our friends, mutual friends.
"But I can't commit to anything until I know how my health is," David added. "The last thing I wanna do is go on tour and have to do what happened last year, which was come home, tail between my legs. It was heartbreaking. And being sick for a year didn't really help matters."
WHITESNAKE launched its farewell tour on May 10, 2022 at Dublin, Ireland's 3Arena. The band's 14-song set, which was part of a European tour with special guests EUROPE and co-headliners FOREIGNER, marked WHITESNAKE's inaugural performance with the group's two latest two additions, keyboardist, guitarist and backing vocalist Dino Jelusick and O'Callaghan.
Coverdale had both his knees replaced with titanium in 2017 after suffering from degenerative arthritis. He later explained that he was in so much pain with arthritis in his knees that it hampered his ability to perform live.
Prior to the pandemic, WHITESNAKE had been touring in support of its latest album, "Flesh & Blood", which was released in May 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl.
(Source: www.blabbermouth.net)
