WHITESNAKE will be undertaking a headlining tour of Japan in early May prior to their slew of festival appearances and headlining shows in Europe this summer. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

In other news, WHITESNAKE frontman David Coverdale recently commented on the rumors of a possible reunion of the Mark III (1973-1975) lineup of DEEP PURPLE, featuring Coverdale alongside Jon Lord (keyboards), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Glenn Hughes (bass, vocals) and Ian Paice (drums). Said Coverdale, "I have also heard of this Mark III reunion, but I regret to tell you I feel it unlikely. Jon Lord has retired, I understand. Ritchie is VERY happy with the music he's playing, as am I with my extraordinary band of gypsies. Ian Paice is kicking splendid arse with the current chapter of [DEEP PURPLE] (I think it's Mark 125), and the last time I spoke with Glenn he told me he is as industrious as ever. So, with respect, I wouldn't hold my breath."

As previously reported, WHITESNAKE are tentatively scheduled to record several new songs for a planned collection of live material recorded over the course of the last three years. A video compilation featuring all the WHITESNAKE clips, the COVERDALE/PAGE videos and as-yet-undisclosed "not-so-well-known" clips is also in the works.

WHITESNAKE will be issuing their first single-disc retrospective on February 7 by Hip-O/Geffen/UMe. Entitled "The Definitive Collection", the CD spans nearly every studio album issued by WHITESNAKE, including their pre-U.S. fame LPs "Snakebite" (1978, with the band's first hit, "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City"), "Lovehunter" (1979, with "Walking in the Shadow of the Blues" and "We Wish You Well"), "Ready An' Willing" (1980, with the title track) and "Come An' Get It" (1981, with "Don't Break My Heart Again"). More information is available at this location.