Whitesnake guitarist Joel Hoekstra recently shared his thoughts on the band’s uncertain future during an appearance on The Rock N’ Roll And Coffee Show.
When asked whether Whitesnake is merely in a holding pattern or if it has officially come to an end, Hoekstra made it clear that only frontman David Coverdale can speak on the matter.
“I mean, that would have to come from David, like in terms of whether or not he’s definitively… He’s never stated as such,” Hoekstra said. “But it’s been a minute now.”
Hoekstra, who joined Whitesnake in 2014, expressed his reluctance to speak on behalf of the band’s legacy, acknowledging his comparatively short tenure.
“I feel like that’s not my place to ever say because I would never want to say that definitively and have that not be the case,” he continued. “David is obviously been, I don’t know, 50 years involved in Whitesnake and I’m just a guy who kind of came on for the last chapter. So I feel like I’m out of place trying to talk about any kind of, you know, what the plans would be.”
His response highlights the respectful tone he maintains toward Coverdale’s leadership and the history of Whitesnake — one of the most enduring names in rock.
The band’s future has been uncertain since 2022, when Whitesnake was forced to halt its farewell tour due to Coverdale’s serious respiratory infection. The condition prompted the cancellation of multiple European dates and an entire North American leg.
According to American Songwriter, Coverdale had described the decision as “heartbreaking” at the time, expressing gratitude to fans while emphasizing the importance of his recovery.
Since then, the band has not announced any new tour plans or studio projects, leading fans to speculate whether Whitesnake’s long and storied career has quietly reached its conclusion.
Despite the lack of official updates, Hoekstra’s comments suggest that nothing has been finalized — leaving the door slightly open for Coverdale to decide the band’s fate when and if he chooses to.
For now, Hoekstra remains active with other projects, including his work with Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Iconic, but his loyalty to Whitesnake’s legacy is unmistakable.
His carefully worded remarks echo the sentiments of many fans: while the future remains unclear, hope still lingers that Whitesnake could make one final return — if Coverdale’s health allows.
