Why did David Coverdale leave Whitesnake in 1982? Pause explored amid Rock Icon’s retirement 

David Coverdale, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and frontman of Whitesnake, has announced his retirement from music.

In a video shared across social media platforms, including Instagram and YouTube, the singer-songwriter told his fans that after spending more than 50 years in his career, including stints with Deep Purple and collaborations with Jimmy Page, he felt it was time to “hang up” his rock ‘n’ roll platform shoes and skintight jeans.

Coverdale was a part of the iconic rock band Whitesnake, formed in 1978 in London, England. The lineup included guitarists Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden, bassist Neil Murray, drummer Dave Dowle, and keyboardist Brian Johnston. After achieving fame and success, Coverdale left he band in 1982 because of his daughter, who contracted bacterial meningitis, a serious condition which required his attention and care.

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Exploring the reason behind David Coverdale’s hiatus from Whitesnake

David Coverdale shared in an interview with Louder Sound about the reason he went on a hiatus from Whitesnake in 1982 due to a personal crisis in his family. Speaking with the outlet, he said:

“A horrendous low was when my daughter was ill in ’82 and the doctors had no idea what it was. One doctor guessed it was Kawasaki syndrome, which I think I brought back from tour in Japan. My daughter’s illness gave me the b*lls to realise that I could change the situation.”

This extremely difficult period became a low point in David Coverdale’s life. Due to this reason, he had to make significant changes, which included breaking his management contract with Whitesnake.

After his daughter recovered from the illness, Whitesnake reformed later that year with a changed lineup - guitarist Mel Galley, bassist Colin Hodgkinson, and drummer Cozy Powell. They were joined by a few original members, including Coverdale, Micky Moody, and Jon Lord.

David Coverdale shares two children – a daughter named Jessica Coverdale, born in 1978, from his first marriage to Julia Borkowski. He married former model and actress Tawny Kitaen after divorcing Borkowski. Later in 1997, he married for the third time to Cindy Barker, an author. They welcomed a son together, Jasper Coverdale.

Recently, David Coverdale announced his retirement from Whitesnake, evoking a wide range of emotions from his fans, including a mix of gratitude, admiration and sadness. Announcing his retirement on social media, he said in a statement:

“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.”

Ending his message, Coverdale thanked his fans, musicians, crew and family for supporting him on his musical journey.

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Whitesnake gained worldwide recognition in the mid-1980s as a hard rock band. Tracks like Ready an' Willing and Come an' Get It helped the band to gain traction among the masses. Hits like Fool for Your Loving and Don't Break My Heart Again helped them establish themselves in the UK rock scene.

After the band achieved fame in the UK, Japan and Europe, their breakthrough in the U.S. came after signing with David Geffen's American label, Geffen Records. It was followed by the release of their album Slide It, featuring singles like Love Ain't No Stranger and Slow an' Easy on MTV, which boosted their exposure in the market.

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