The Scorpions and Whitesnake have rolled out an extensive late-summer and fall run. The trek, which takes in stops at casinos, sheds, and arenas, kicks off on August 21st at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage and stretches through October 21st at Las Vegas’s Mandalay Bay. The dates will serve as part of Whitesnake’s final tour.
In the tour announcement Scorpions frontman Klaus Meine (pronounced MY-neh) said:
After the amazing start we’ve had with our residency in Las Vegas, it’s about time to come back for a real tour to rock the U.S. like a hurricane again. We cannot wait to see all you rock believers out there!
Whitesnake leader David Coverdale added:
Once again it’s time to feel the sting of the Scorpions and the bite of the Whitesnake!!! Can’t Wait!!!
Klaus Meine told us that metal fans who stayed away from shows in the 1990’s have been back in full force in recent years: “When we toured in the States — and pretty much everywhere around the world — for all the bands that were big in the ’80s, it was, like, uncool to go and see an ’80s band, y’know? All of a sudden, in the last couple of years, the rock fans were back, and they enjoyed themselves, and everybody had a great time.”
We asked David Coverdale what it takes for him to hit the stage today and deliver the goods: “Passion. It’s not wanting to let people down. I’ve been doing this — Oh, my God — if you involve the (Deep) Purple stuff, we’re coming up to five decades. And I’ve always felt an immense debt to the people who support our music — and not disappoint them. ‘Cause if I disappoint them — I can’t do what I do.”
JUST ANNOUNCED: Scorpions / Whitesnake North American tour dates (subject to change):
August 21 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
August 24 – Quebec City, QC – Centre Videotron
August 27 – Montreal, QC – Bell Center
August 30 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
September 1 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
September 5 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Casino (Scorpions only)
September 7 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
September 9 – Mashantucket, CT – Foxwoods Casino (Scorpions only)
September 12 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
September 14 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
September 17 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
September 19 – El Paso, TX – Don Haskins Center
September 21 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Arena
September 24 – San Antonio, TX – Freeman Coliseum
September 27 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
September 29 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
October 1 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
October 4 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
October 7 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
October 9 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
October 13 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena
October 15 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
October 18 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Coliseum
October 21 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay