Whitesnake Cancels North American Tour With Scorpions: Health Issues
by Best Classic Bands Staff
The 2022 edition of Whitesnake
Whitesnake have announced they’ve their 2022 North American tour with Scorpions. The band revealed the decision on August 5, five weeks after they canceled the remaining dates of the European edition of their farewell tour due to what they describe as “health challenges.” That earlier July 1 announcement came upon the heels of a series of health issues to David Coverdale, Tommy Aldridge and Reb Beach. The U.S. dates that the band was scheduled to open for Scorpions, begin on August 17. Instead, Thunder Mother have replaced them as the opening act.
The Aug. 5 post from Coverdale about the latest cancellation appeared on the group’s social media accounts. “It is with profound disappointment and a heavy heart that I must announce that Whitesnake will no longer be able to join The Scorpions on their US and Canadian tour due to my continued treatment for a persistent upper respiratory infection that affects my ability to perform. This includes the cancellation of our own headlining shows as well.
“We Wish Our Good Friends, The Scorpions Every Success!!!”
Guitarist Reb Beach was the first to succumb due to undisclosed health issues that caused him to miss four shows. That was followed by news about Tommy Aldridge. On Saturday, June 25, the day the band was scheduled to perform at a festival in Spain, the organizers issued a statement that described the drummer as having “severe health problems. “Just when we had all the backline and stage preparations from Whitesnake ready for their show today,” read the announcement from Rock Imperium, “their booking agent informed us of the sad news that Tommy Aldridge is having severe health problems today, so we regret to announce the cancellation of their show at Rock Imperium Festival. We are really sorry for any inconveniences caused, we are devastated and can only wish Tommy a quick recovery.”
That same day, Whitesnake posted a statement that read, in part: “Please know we are doing everything in our power to bring you the best high energy and exciting shows we possibly can. We always strive to deliver 100%, as Whitesnake fans always deserve that much, and never anything less.
“We knew embarking on this tour could present many new obstacles and potential issues, which had been unknown to us on previous tours. We sincerely apologize to our Spanish fans for unavoidably having to cancel tonight’s show.”
The next day, June 26, the band posted a follow-up note. “The Spanish promoter released a misleading statement. Tommy was under the weather, as we all can get, but is getting better: he never had, what was inaccurately described as ‘severe health problems’ and can’t wait to get back out there to perform for the fans!“
David Coverdale via his Facebook page
Just one day later, on June 27, came more bad news from Coverdale. “The rigors of the road are the same for all of us and we have been trying to keep everyone healthy and safe,” he wrote. “Unfortunately we have been hit recently with a couple of situations that we have been dealing with, the best we can.
“First our beloved band leader Reb Beach went down temporarily and he missed a couple of shows while he mended (and is much better now, by the way).
“Then the rock of our band, the Legendary Tommy Aldridge went down and we unfortunately were not able to play the Rock Imperium Festival.
“Tommy was bad enough at the time to have missed the first show ever in his career – The GOOD news is that he is feeling better and is anxious to get back out there to perform for all of you.”
Coverdale then shared his own health news. “Unfortunately I have now been hit hard as well. I started feeling a bit under the weather two days ago, and was just diagnosed with an infection of the sinus & trachea. The doctor recommends 5 days of no singing and bed rest.”
Several shows were canceled though they hoped to finish the remaining European dates. However, on July 1, the tour was ended abruptly. “It is with the deepest sadness that I must announce that due to continuing health challenges, doctor’s orders, and our concern for everyone’s health and safety, Whitesnake is unable to continue its European Farewell Tour,” Coverdale wrote.
“I extend my sincere apologies to all of Whitesnake’s amazing fans who have been looking forward to the remaining scheduled shows of this tour, all of our amazing, fabulous snakes & tour personnel who have been working so hard to put on these shows, and all of the promoters and other professionals who have helped set up the tour.
“I Appreciate & Love You All!!!”
Watch Whitesnake perform a favorite on June 6
Scorpions’ North American tour is scheduled to begin on Aug. 17 with dates on the calendar through Oct. 21. Tickets are Tickets are available here and here.
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Whitesnake released an updated edition of their greatest hits this spring that’s been “revisited, remixed and remastered.”
8 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationSo they’ve been replaced with ” Thunder Mother?” Who the fuck is that? This is fucking lame….
I am in Portland Oregon and have tickets to the show and I am completely bummed! I agree: WHO the fuck!
Man, This sucks! I have tickets for the Oakland, California show on October 18th, 2022. I hope all is well with your health.
I also have tickets to Oakland. I am trying to at least get a refund. I was only going to see Whitesnake. So far I am not having any luck getting a refund.
I hope the show I’m going to in Belmont, NY gets cancelled and I get a refund. Not even half the tickets are sold. They need a real band to open…not a nobody band like Thundermother. WTF! Shame on you Scorpions and Ticketmaster.
How can you blame the other 2 bands for the health problems of the other band, who are in their 70’s, mind you? Get real…
I’m flying from the East Coast to the final date of the tour in Las Vegas. So sorry to hear about Whitesnake band members’ ill health and wish them a swift recovery. But I am so pumped to see the Scorpions, the real reason for my going to my first rock concert in over 40 years! ThunderMother was slated to join the Scorpions and Whitesnake all along, they did not “replace” Whitesnake. They are an all-female Swedish band, and they are quite talented.
Wow, this is sad news. Whitesnake was one of my favorite bands back in the day.