This might have the Whitesnake faithful crying in the rain. Frontman David Coverdale , who co-founded the multiplatinum hard rock band in the late 1970s, co-wrote most of its songs and also sang with Deep Purple and Jimmy Page, announced his retirement today. Watch him reveal the news in a video below.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, brothers and sisters of the Snake, a special announcement for you,” Coverdale said. “After 50 years-plus of an incredible journey with you — with Deep Purple, with Whitesnake, Jimmy Page — the last few years it has been very evident to me that it’s time really for me to hang up my rock ‘n’ roll platform shoes and my skintight jeans.”

The English singer added: “And as you can see, we’ve taken care of the lion’s wig, but it’s time for me to call it

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