"I'm back with a mission," says Coverdale. "It's an appropriate time to reintroduce good, uplifting, positive rock 'n' roll."

The launch of this very special concert tour will be marked by the release of a new live DVD, "Whitesnake The Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues Show". Both the DVD and limited-edition companion live CD were recorded in October at London's famed Hammersmith Apollo. Fans can get their first glimpse of this extraordinary concert event when this special package is released early July on Coming Home Studios/Universal.

From 1973 to '76 Coverdale was the lead singer in Deep Purple, one of the biggest bands in the world. A year after leaving, he formed Whitesnake in late 1977 as a blues-based rock band that set overseas attendance records before introducing itself to America. "The Snake" arrived on these shores in 1984 and conquered the New World instantly as the band’s U.S. debut album, Slide It In, became a Top 40, multi-platinum hit. Whitesnake's 1987 self-titled follow-up brought global superstardom, selling more than 10 million copies in the U.S. alone and fueled by the No. 1 and No. 2 smashes, "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love". The band scored a trifecta in 1989 with the top 10 multi-platinum selling album, Slip of the Tongue, which Coverdale regards as his "musically over-flamboyant chapter. “We looked like an over-decorated Christmas tree. Somehow in all the fuss we lost sight of our original blues-based roots."

As the '90s arrived, Coverdale collaborated with legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, resulting in the critically acclaimed Coverdale/Page album, which achieved platinum status in the U.S. Whitesnake reunited for a sold-out world tour in 1997, after which Coverdale effectively retired from the music scene.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Whitesnake, Coverdale formed the current chapter of the band and toured America on the 2003 Mmmm, Nice Package Tour, ending a 12-year absence from U.S. stages. "I have a career that spans over three decades now, so we'll be doing some early Deep Purple stuff and some early Whitesnake material which has never crossed the Atlantic, as well as the more familiar hits," says Coverdale.

By embracing his roots on the “Whitesnake The Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues Show”, British-born Coverdale is giving U.S. audiences the opportunity to experience the ultimate Whitesnake line-up; Doug Aldrich on guitar, Tommy Aldridge on drums, Reb Beach on guitar, Uriah Duffy on bass and Timothy Drury on keyboards.

“Whitesnake The Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues Show” will deliver an explosive rock show. "I can't stand being called heavy metal and I have great difficulty with 'hair band' references," says Coverdale. "We're a hard rock, rhythm & blues band. I write emotionally charged songs and sing powerfully. The only comparison we have with metal is that we're loud...VERY loud."

VH1 Classics presents: "Whitesnake: The Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues Show":