Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott paid tribute to David Coverdale on his Planet Rock show on Saturday (22nd November), following the Whitesnake lynchpin’s recent retirement announcement.
Earlier this month, David Coverdale posted a video to Whitesnake’s YouTube channel confirming his fabled career is coming to an end.
“After 50 years-plus of an incredible journey with you, with Deep Purple, with Whitesnake, Jimmy Page, the last few years 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,” David told fans.
“As you can see, we’ve taken care of the lion’s wig. But it’s time for me to call it a day.”
Commenting on his friend’s decision to call it quits, Joe Elliott told Planet Rock listeners: “Ok, so hands up if like me just a few days ago you had a little bit of a tear in your eye when you saw Lord Coverdale make his retirement announcement?”
Joe continued: “Now myself and David go back a long, long way – 1981 to be precise. Def Leppard and Whitesnake toured together many, many times but I’ve known him since we were recording ‘High and Dry’ and he was recording the album ‘Saints & Sinners’.
“He would allow me to pop into his studio and watch him sing and nurse me off the ledge when I was really struggling to do stuff with Mutt Lange.
“He was such a great guy and very generous with his brandy, let’s put it that way. I was very sad to see the announcement but (it was) kind of expected really – he’d done it. He’s been there and he’s done that and he deserves to spend some time with his family and just not worry about it anymore.
“So, I’d like to celebrate my memories of David with this one song, which is where I came in, and it’s quite honestly one of the most emotional things that he ever did. So, on behalf of the world, David, if you’re listening, happy retirement!”
Joe then played Whitesnake’s classic 1978 cover of ‘Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City’, one of the band’s earliest songs and a live staple right up until their final tour in 2022.
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Next month, Joe Elliott will present his 800th Planet Rock show – a momentous landmark for one of our most loved presenters.