A legendary rock singer is retiring after more than 50 years of music.
Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale announced his retirement Thursday with a special message to “brothers and sisters of the Snake.”
“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,“ Coverdale said.
“And as you can see, we’ve taken care of the lion’s wig,” he continued, touching his gray hair. “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.”
Coverdale, 74, is an English singer who was the lead vocalist of Deep Purple from 1973 to 1976. He formed the hard rock band Whitesnake in 1978 and scored multiple hit songs in the late ‘80s with “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love.”
He also worked as a solo artist and collaborated with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page on the platinum-selling 1993 album “Coverdale-Page.” Coverdale was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 as a member of Deep Purple.
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, Whitesnake hadn’t toured since 2022 due to health issues in the band. Coverdale’s retirement appears to be the official end of Whitesnake, as his announcement was accompanied by a video of the group’s 2011 song “Fare Thee Well.”
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