Rudy Sarzo recently shared his concerns about the future of Whitesnake in an interview with Mark Lacey of Myglobalmind online magazine, reflecting on the uncertainty that surrounded the band during the early ’90s.
The bassist recalled about his last performance with Whitesnake in the UK at Donington in 1990 during the ‘Slip of the Tongue’ tour. He revealed:
“It was really interesting because, at the very beginning of that 1990 tour for the ‘Slip of the Tongue’ album, David announced to the band that he was going to take a long break. At the time, he was still happily married with Tawny, and so, I looked at every single show as an experience that I would probably never have again.”
The Bittersweet Reality Of Performance
Further discussing the importance of each show to him, Sarzo added:
“It was just very bittersweet. It’s the whole thing about playing like there’s no tomorrow because, eventually, there was no tomorrow for Whitesnake, as far as I was concerned. So, every show was completely meaningful; it was like the Superbowl every single night.”
The Liquor & Poker World Tour marked the beginning of what seemed like the end for Whitesnake, culminating in a final performance at the Budokan in Tokyo in September 1990. David Coverdale’s decision to take an extended break was influenced by a mix of personal and professional reasons, including exhaustion, disillusionment with the band’s glam image, and his ongoing divorce from Tawny Kitaen.
Coverdale’s Reflections On The Period
In a 1993 interview with Robert Hilburn, the frontman stated the following about that period:
“I had finished my world tour in 1990 in an appalling, confused state across the board… Privately and professionally. I just had to stop everything… This whole circus. I had never gone into (music) for the image thing at all… And I really couldn’t do it anymore.”
Following the 1990 tour, Whitesnake underwent significant changes. Members formed new bands, and Coverdale embarked on a project with Jimmy Page. Despite these endeavors, Whitesnake saw several reunions and lineup changes in the years that followed, including the release of ‘Restless Heart’ and a series of farewell tours.
These tours faced challenges, such as health issues among band members, leading to cancellations and uncertainty about the band’s future. Despite the hurdles, Coverdale expressed interest in continuing Whitesnake’s legacy, with his physical health being the primary consideration.
