Former Whitesnake guitarist Adrian Vandenberg has announced the cancellation of his upcoming 2026 U.S. tour. He is currently receiving treatment for a serious bacterial infection.
Vandenberg addressed his fans directly, emphasizing that this marks the first time in his decades-long career that he has been forced to cancel a tour. He opened his statement by reflecting on his extraordinary dedication to performing, even in the face of past adversity.
“Amigos! Never in my roughly 60 year long career as a touring/gigging guitar player I had to cancel a show or tour,” Vandenberg said. “Not even when in 1987 I had my face totally ripped open in an early morning traffic accident in New York and I still played the show that evening because I absolutely did not want to miss playing a sold out show at the legendary Madison Square Garden.”
He then went on to explain the severity of his current condition and the medical advice he has received.
“Needless to say I’m really, really sorry to have to announce that I’m strongly urged by the medical specialists involved to not do this upcoming USA tour at this point,” he continued. “Right now, it’d be just too short after a bacterial infection that invaded my body and that needs to get taken care of right away. Those creepy bad boys need to get their treacherous asses kicked out of my body asap.”
Vandenberg also reassured fans about his recovery and provided an update on rescheduling plans.
“I’m in great, very capable expert hands in the hospital and things are fortunately moving in the right direction but, as always, these kind of things will need some time of course,” he said. “Our management and USA Agency (Paramour Group) are already working on re-scheduling this tour and, of course, you’ll be kept up to date. See you guys soon!”
Fans can expect further updates as Vandenberg’s management and the Paramour Group work on rescheduling the tour dates.
The cancellation is a rare and significant moment for a guitarist whose commitment to live performance has defined his career for more than five decades. Vandenberg’s resilience on stage has long been a hallmark of his reputation. The forced stoppage is all the more striking for those who have followed his journey from the Netherlands to the heights of international rock stardom.
Born Adriaan van den Berg on January 31, 1954, Vandenberg first made his mark with his self-titled band Vandenberg in the early 1980s. The group’s debut album produced the international hit “Burning Heart,” which reached No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band went on to share stages with rock giants including Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, Rush, and Scorpions.
His profile rose dramatically when he joined Whitesnake in late 1986, arriving just as the band was entering its most commercially successful era. He played the iconic guitar solo on “Here I Go Again,” one of the most recognizable solos in rock history. He also co-wrote material for the albums Slip of the Tongue and Restless Heart, cementing his place as a key creative force behind the band’s multi-platinum peak.
After his years with Whitesnake, Vandenberg continued to evolve as an artist. He formed Vandenberg’s MoonKings in 2013 and later returned to the Vandenberg name with new studio albums, including 2020 and Sin in 2023. These releases demonstrated a sustained creative output that has kept him relevant across generations of rock fans.
The 2026 U.S. tour was part of his “My Whitesnake Years” touring project, a celebration of that landmark chapter in his career. Vandenberg had also recently revealed plans to mark 50 years of his musical career in 2027, making his current health setback a particularly untimely interruption. With rescheduling already underway, the expectation is that fans will not have to wait long before Vandenberg returns to the stage.
Source: Instagram
