Whitesnake singer David Coverdale announces retirement after more than 50 years
- - Whitesnake singer David Coverdale announces retirement after more than 50 years
Lauren HuffNovember 14, 2025 at 3:04 AM
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Singer David Coverdale performs at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in 2015
David Coverdale, Whitesnake frontman and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is saying fare thee well after more than 50 years in the music industry.
The rocker shared the news of his retirement in a video posted across social platforms on Thursday. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, brothers and sisters of the Snake, a special announcement for you,” Coverdale, 74, began in the clip.
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."
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David Coverdale and Whitesnake in 1980
He added, “And as you can see, we’ve taken care of the lion’s wig,” jokingly referring to his hair. “But," the musician concluded, "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.”
After Coverdale's address, a sweet five-minute tribute montage from his career played with — what else? — Whitesnake's song "Fare Thee Well" playing in the background.
Coverdale is best known as the frontman and lead singer of that hard rock band, though he also served as lead vocalist for Deep Purple from 1973 to 1976.
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In 1977, he set out on his own with two solo albums — White Snake (1977) and Northwinds (1978) — and formed Whitesnake shortly after releasing the latter with what was initially supposed to be his touring band, which consisted of guitarists Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody. Bassist Neil Murray, drummer Dave "Duck" Dowle, and keyboardist Brian Johnston rounded out the group shortly thereafter, though over the years, Coverdale was the one constant in the band.
Though the group's early albums Ready an' Willing (1980), Live... in the Heart of the City (1980), Come an' Get It (1981) and Saints & Sinners (1982) all hit the top 10 on the U.K. Albums Chart, it wasn't until their 1987 eponymous album that they had their biggest success to date across the pond. Whitesnake, which produced the hits "Here I Go Again, "Is This Love," and "Still of the Night," has to date sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.
In 2016, as a member of Deep Purple, Coverdale was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
