Editing Whitesnake (section)

=== ''Flesh & Blood'' and farewell tour (2018–present) ===
In 2018, Whitesnake toured the US with Foreigner on the Juke Box Heroes Tour.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/foreigner-announces-juke-box-heroes-u-s-summer-2018-tour-with-whitesnake-and-jason-bonham/| title= Foreigner Announces 'Juke Box Heroes' U.S. Summer 2018 Tour With Whitesnake And Jason Bonham | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=4 December 2017 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> They also released ''The Purple Tour'' live album and the box set ''Unzipped'', which featured various acoustic recordings from across the band's career.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnake-to-release-the-purple-tour-live-cd-dvd-blu-ray-in-january/| title= Whitesnake To Release 'The Purple Tour (Live)' CD, DVD, Blu-Ray In January | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=6 December 2017 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnake-unzipped-5cd-dvd-set-featuring-rare-and-previously-unreleased-acoustic-performances-due-in-october/ | title= Whitesnake: 'Unzipped' 5CD/DVD Set Featuring Rare And Previously Unreleased Acoustic Performances Due In October | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=2 August 2018 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> Whitesnake's thirteenth studio album had originally been set for release in early 2018,<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnake-to-release-flesh-blood-studio-album-next-year/ | title= Whitesnake To Release 'Flesh & Blood' Studio Album Next Year | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=4 December 2017 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> but was pushed back after Coverdale contracted [[Influenza A virus subtype H3N2|H3 flu]].<ref name="Technical">{{Cite web| url=https://planetradio.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/whitesnake-postpone-new-album-flesh-and-blood-due-to-technical-issues/ | title= Whitesnake postpone new album 'Flesh and Blood' due to 'technical issues' | website=Planet Rock |first=Scott |last=Colothan | date=30 April 2018 | access-date=14 February 2021 }}</ref> In April 2018, the record was delayed again to early 2019 due to unspecified "technical issues" during the mixing process.<ref name="Technical"/> Coverdale also had knee replacement surgery in 2018 due to [[degenerative arthritis]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnakes-david-coverdale-had-knees-replaced-with-titanium-due-to-degenerative-arthritis/ | title= Whitesnake's David Coverdale Had Knees Replaced With Titanium Due To Degenerative Arthritis | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=2 October 2018 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> However, he later reiterated his plans not to retire, stating that he feels "reinvigorated, energised and very inspired".<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnakes-david-coverdale-has-no-plans-to-retire-im-very-reinvigorated-energized-and-very-inspired/ | title= Whitesnake's David Coverdale Has No Plans To Retire: 'I'm Very Reinvigorated, Energized And Very Inspired' | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=16 February 2019 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref>
[[File:Whitesnake au Hellfest 2019.jpg|thumb|left|Whitesnake performing at [[Hellfest]], 2019]]

Whitesnake's next studio album ''[[Flesh & Blood (Whitesnake album)|Flesh & Blood]]'' was released on 10 May 2019. It saw Coverdale compose with Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra for the first time, while production was handled by all three of them along with Michael McIntyre.<ref name="GuitarWorld">{{Cite web| url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/whitesnake-release-new-album-flesh-and-blood | title= Whitesnake Release New Album, 'Flesh & Blood' | website=Guitar World | date=10 May 2019 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> ''Flesh & Blood'' charted in eighteen countries, reaching number seven and number 131 in the UK and the US, respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20190517/7502/ | title = Official Albums Chart Top 100: 17 May 2019 – 23 May 2019 | publisher = Official Charts | access-date =14 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2019-05-25 |title=''Billboard'' 200 – The Week of May 25, 2019 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=8 February 2021 }}</ref> It also topped the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/whitesnake-flesh-blood/|title=Flesh & Blood - Whitesnake|website=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref> and hit number five on the Independent Albums chart.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2019-05-25 |title=Independent Albums – The Week of May 25, 2019 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=8 February 2021 }}</ref> Philip Wilding, writing for ''Classic Rock'', gave the record a positive review, in which he stated: "If you want something to listen to while driving with the top down in some steamy Californian clime, then this Whitesnake is hard to beat."<ref name="Flesh">{{Cite web| url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/whitesnake-flesh-and-blood-album-review | title= Whitesnake: Flesh & Blood album review | website=Louder |publisher=Classic Rock |first=Philip |last=Wilding | date=10 May 2019 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref>

The band embarked on a supporting tour in April with dates in North America, followed by a European tour over the summer.<ref name="GuitarWorld"/><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnake-kicks-off-flesh-blood-world-tour-in-newkirk-oklahoma-video/ | title= Whitesnake Kicks Off 'Flesh & Blood' World Tour In Newkirk, Oklahoma (Video) | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=13 April 2019 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> In September, Coverdale once again discussed the possibility of retiring, potentially in 2021, though he later clarified: "I just thought it was amusing to say, 'Oh, what better age for the lead singer of Whitesnake [to retire] than 69? I can't wait to design the t-shirts.' That was just fun."<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnakes-david-coverdale-clarifies-2021-retirement-comments/ | title= Whitesnake's David Coverdale Clarifies 2021 'Retirement' Comments | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=26 April 2020 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> Whitesnake were scheduled to tour Australia and New Zealand with the Scorpions in February 2020, but many of the shows had to be cancelled after Scorpions vocalist [[Klaus Meine]] was diagnosed with kidney stones.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/scorpions-Whitesnake-australian-tour-2020-brisbane-cancelled-7819/ | title= Scorpions & Whitesnake Cancel Brisbane Performance Due to Medical Emergency | website=Rolling Stone Australia |first=Tyler |last=Jenke | date=23 February 2020 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/scorpions-and-whitesnake-reschedule-sydney-concert-cancel-auckland-show/ | title= Scorpions And Whitesnake Reschedule Sydney Concert, Cancel Auckland Show | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=24 February 2020 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> Whitesnake's Japanese tour in March was also postponed due to the then-burgeoning [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnake-postpones-japanese-tour-due-to-ongoing-threat-of-coronavirus/ | title= Whitesnake Postpones Japanese Tour Due To Ongoing Threat Of Coronavirus | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=5 March 2020 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> Whitesnake later canceled all their remaining tour dates for 2020 when Coverdale was diagnosed with a [[Inguinal hernia|bilateral inguinal hernia]], for which he was forced to undergo surgery.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnakes-david-coverdale-to-undergo-surgery-for-bilateral-inguinal-hernia-u-s-and-european-tour-dates-canceled/ | title= Whitesnake's David Coverdale To Undergo Surgery For Bilateral Inguinal Hernia; U.S. And European Tour Dates Canceled | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=23 March 2020 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnakes-david-coverdale-is-healing-nice-following-surgery-for-bilateral-inguinal-hernia/ | title= Whitesnake's David Coverdale Is 'Healing Nice' Following Surgery For Bilateral Inguinal Hernia | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=10 October 2020 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> 

Between 2020 and 2021, Whitesnake released three new musically distinct compilation albums, collectively titled the ''[[Love Songs (Whitesnake album)|Red]], [[The Rock Album|White]] and [[The Blues Album|Blues]]'' trilogy.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/david-coverdale-on-whitesnakes-red-white-and-blues-trilogy-weve-given-everything-a-fresh-coat-of-paint/ | title= David Coverdale On Whitesnake's 'Red, White And Blues' Trilogy: 'We've Given Everything A Fresh Coat Of Paint' | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=16 June 2020 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> All three albums reached at least number two on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/whitesnake-the-rock-album/|title=The Rock Album - Whitesnake|website=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/whitesnake-love-songs/|title=Love Songs - Whitesnake|website=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/whitesnake-the-blues-album-mmxxi/|title=The Blues Album - Whitesnake|website=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref> The collections were originally timed to coincide with a potential farewell tour, which had to be postponed due to the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnakes-david-coverdale-thinks-he-will-have-to-wait-until-2022-to-embark-on-farewell-tour/ | title= Whitesnake's David Coverdale Thinks He Will Have To Wait Until 2022 To Embark On Farewell Tour | website=Blabbermouth.net | date=11 November 2020 | access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref> Coverdale later reaffirmed his plan to retire from touring potentially in 2022, citing his age and the stress of travel as contributing factors. However, he still intended to be involved in music with several Whitesnake projects in the works.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnakes-david-coverdale-hopes-to-launch-his-farewell-tour-in-2022/ | title= Whitesnake's David Coverdale Hopes To Launch His Farewell Tour In 2022 | website=Blabbermouth.net| date=14 June 2021 | access-date=14 June 2021 }}</ref> Coverdale also discussed the possibility of Whitesnake continuing to perform without him.<ref>{{cite web |title= Whitesnake to continue without David Coverdale? &#124; Interview 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CaWwerxyag |publisher=Jeremy White |via=YouTube |access-date=4 November 2021 |date=3 November 2021}}</ref>
[[File:Whitesnake 14.05.2022 Newcastle Utilita Arena (53402299730).jpg|thumb|right|[[Joel Hoekstra]] (left) and Tanya O'Callaghan (right) performing in 2022. The latter joined Whitesnake the year prior, becoming the first female musician in the band]]

In July 2021, Whitesnake announced the addition of multi-instrumentalist [[Dino Jelusick]] to their ranks, turning Whitesnake into a [[septet]] for the first time.<ref>{{cite web |title= Whitesnake's Newest Member Dino Jelusick Explains His Role In Band |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnakes-newest-member-dino-jelusick-explains-his-role-in-band/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=12 September 2021 |date=13 September 2021}}</ref> Later that November, Michael Devin parted ways with the band.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitesnake Parts Ways With Longtime Bassist Michael Devin |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnake-parts-ways-with-longtime-bassist-michael-devin/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=22 November 2021 |date=22 November 2021}}</ref> He was replaced by Tanya O'Callaghan, marking the first female musician to join the group.<ref>{{cite web |title= Welcome Our New Bass Player! |url=https://whitesnake.com/welcome-our-new-bass-player/ |website=Whitesnake Official Website |access-date=23 November 2021 |date=23 November 2021}}</ref>

Whitesnake began their farewell tour in May 2022, starting in the UK and Ireland with Foreigner and [[Europe (band)|Europe]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Whitesnake Welcomes Trans-Siberian Orchetra Singer Dino Jelusick |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnake-welcomes-trans-siberian-orchestra-singer-dino-jelusick/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=27 July 2021 |date=27 July 2021}}</ref> During Whitesnake's June performance at [[Hellfest]], they were joined onstage by Steve Vai.<ref>{{cite web |title=Watch: Steve Vi Joins Whitesnake On Stage At France's Hellfest To Perform 'Still Of The Night' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-steve-vai-joins-whitesnake-on-stage-at-frances-hellfest-to-perform-still-of-the-night |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=24 June 2022 |date=23 June 2022}}</ref> Later that month, the band were forced to cancel several shows after Tommy Aldridge fell ill and Coverdale was diagnosed with an infection of the sinus and trachea.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitesnake Cancels Remainder Of European Tour 'Due To Continuing Health Challenges' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnake-cancels-remainder-of-european-tour-due-to-continuing-health-challenges |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=1 July 2022 |date=2 July 2022}}</ref> Reb Beach had previously missed a number of shows due to poor health as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitesnake Fans Are Concerned About Guitarist Reb Beach After He Misses Four Shows In A Row |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnake-fans-are-concerned-about-guitarist-reb-beach-after-he-misses-four-shows-in-a-row |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=24 October 2022 |date=22 June 2022}}</ref> On 1 July, Whitesnake cancelled the remainder of their European tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitesnake's David Coverdale Diagnosed With Infection Of Sinus And Trachea; More Concerts Canceled |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnakes-david-coverdale-diagnosed-with-infection-of-sinus-and-trachea-more-concerts-canceled |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=2 July 2022 |date=28 June 2022}}</ref> On 5 August, the band withdrew from their forthcoming North American tour with the Scorpions.<ref>{{cite web |title=USA Tour Cancellation Announcement |url=https://whitesnake.com/usa-tour-cancellation-announcement/ |website=Whitesnake Official Website |access-date=5 August 2022 |date=5 August 2022}}</ref> O'Callaghan stated in October that Coverdale still needed "a good few months" to recuperate. However, he had resumed writing and discussed the possibility of doing a farewell album, encouraging former members to participate as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitesnake's Tanya O'Callaghan Says David Coverdale 'Needs Some Time Off The Road To Heal Up' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/whitesnakes-tanya-ocallaghan-says-david-coverdale-needs-some-time-off-the-road-to-heal-up |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=24 October 2022 |date=11 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=DAVID COVERDALE Wants To Invite Former WHITESNAKE Members To Participate In 'Farewell' Studio Album |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-coverdale-wants-to-invite-former-whitesnake-members-to-participate-in-farewell-studio-album |access-date=12 March 2024 |date=16 October 2023}}</ref> In 2023, Coverdale expressed interest in continuing the band's farewell tour in the future, but stated that his physical health would be the determining factor.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Coverdale 'Would Love To' Resume Whitesnake Farewell Tour Next Year: 'But It's Gonna Be Dictated By My Health' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-coverdale-would-love-to-resume-whitesnake-farewell-tour-next-year-but-its-gonna-be-dictated-by-my-health |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=25 April 2023 |date=25 April 2023 }}</ref>