NEED TO KNOW
Whitesnake frontman and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee David Coverdale has announced his retirement.
The English singer-songwriter shared the video announcement across social platforms on Thursday, Nov. 13.
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, brothers and sisters of the Snake, a special announcement for you,” Coverdale, 74, began in a video he shared on YouTube.
Amy Sussman/Getty for Warner Music
He continued, “After 50 years-plus of an incredible journey with you — with Deep Purple, with Whitesnake, Jimmy Page — the last few years it has been very evident to me that it’s time really for me to hang up my rock ‘n’ roll platform shoes and my skintight jeans.”
“And as you can see, we’ve taken care of the lion’s wig,” he continued, joking about his hair. “But it’s time for me to call it a day,” Coverdale concluded. “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.”
The announcement followed with a nostalgic montage video of Coverdale’s career, set to the Whitesnake song “Fare Thee Well,” which was featured on the 2011 album Forevermore.
Coverdale is best known as the frontman of Whitesnake, which formed in London in 1978. In the ’80s, the band reached new heights with songs like “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love.”
Before forming Whitesnake, Coverdale was the singer of Deep Purple from 1973 to 1976 and appeared on three albums: 1974’s Burn and Stormbringer and 1975’s Come Taste the Band. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll hall of Fame with Deep Purple in 2016.
Ole Hagen/Redferns
The rocker also notably teamed up with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page on the 1993 album Coverdale–Page — and it was certified platinum.
Whitesnake’s last album release was 2019’s Flesh & Blood. They played their last show in June 2022 at Hellfest in Clisson, France — and they were forced to cancel the remainder of their European farewell tour dates the following month due to health challenges among its members.
“Last year, I was so incredibly compromised by, without any doubt, the worst sinus infection I’ve ever had in my life. And as a singer, I know them like f—ing relatives of mine,” Coverdale told Ultimate Classic Rock in 2023. “This was one of the ugliest illnesses I think I’ve [ever] had. For seven months, I was taking ever-increasingly strong antibiotics and horrifying Prednisone steroids.”
“I really don’t know [when we’ll be back onstage],” he added at the time. “I’ll be 72 this year. But, you know, my passion is that of a much younger man, particularly with the new creative team that I have, working on these legacy projects and also new things at the same time. It’s like bluebirds flying out of every orifice.”
