On November 6th at the prestigious Classic Rock Awards in London, England WHITESNAKE won two awards, "Best Band Of The Year" and "Best DVD Of The Year".

Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale comments,

"I must admit that I was somewhat nervous... but, I had the best support with my Missus, my daughter, and my best friend sitting with me, and of course, me ol’ mate Lord Glenneth of Cannock in attendance... (and all the good wishes from you lot (Whitesnake Forum members)... which goes a long, long way, I can assure you...)

My UK promoter, Andy Copping was the shows MC, and was doing a fine job moving it along quickly...

The first award for "Best DVD" came pretty soon (OOO-ER!!!)... and was accompanied by serious ‘whooping’ at our table, as you can imagine... and to be honest... I didn’t have any speeches prepared... I just ‘winged’ it... and thanked the readers of Classic Rock, you lot, the band along with Senor Marco, of course)... short and sweet, I believe...

A little later Andy invited Glenn (Hughes) up on the stage and it was then I thought, Aye Aye... we may be getting a twofer...

Glenn launched into some of his memories from our very first meeting and it all started to feel a little overwhelming emotionally... After all, I was sitting next to my dearest friend, Tony Z, who’s office I was in when I got the call telling me my life was about to change and I was to be the new singer with Deep Purple...

So... Mr. Emotional took the stage and I found it difficult to articulate... I believe ‘choked’ is the expression... Apart from anything else, you lot who have supported me in the UK thro’ thick and thin should know that to receive an award (never mind two)... in your home country, where the press has been... to say the least ‘unkind’, was beyond a treat... and a memory I will treasure...

It was also grand to see so many players I’ve known for years, but, lost touch with... Brian May and Roger Taylor (QUEEN), Alice (Cooper)... Chris Squire (YES)... The Maidens (IRON MAIDEN)... (I was interviewed by Bruce D(ickinson) a few days later for BBC radio!)... Ronnie (James) D(io)... (yes... we do go back a fair ways)...

Jeff Beck was on form, as always...The Answer was there too, and Mickey the bass player had interviewed me that morning... It was nice to meet ROADSTAR who got "Best New Band"... It was a pleasure to see Scott Gorham after so long... and, of course, Mrs. Lynott, who was sparkling...

All in all a rareified atmosphere... a cracking good night..."

In another message, Coverdale comments on the US release for Whitesnake's Live... In The Shadow Of The Blues live set, stating, "We’ve been let down in the US, by a major company who led us to believe they were very keen, but, after waiting for months for them to step up to the plate, their offer was negligable, to say the least... so, initially, we may have to go for a temporary iTunes exclusive, to get it out there in time... and possibly pursue an independent profile rather than get involved with a unstisfying deal..."

As previously reported, the new Whitesnake double album, Live... In The Shadow Of The Blues (including 4 new studio tracks), will be released in Germany on November 24th and in Europe on November 27th.

A promo-tour will happen directly to the release date. David Coverdale and Doug Aldrich will do acoustic sets and signing sessions in Germany:

November

24 - Saturn - Cologne, Germany (Hansaring 97, 5 PM)
25 - Saturn - Munich, Germany (Schwanthaler Strasse 115, 4 PM)

Both will also appear at the Sweden Rock Festival kick off party in Stockholm, Sweden on December 2nd.

The new studio song 'Ready To Rock' can be heard here.