Tommy Aldrige Rejoins Whitesnake

The ever-revolving lineup of Whitesnake has seen yet another change. Following the departure of drummer Brian Tichy earlier this month, the band has announced that his replacement is Tommy Aldrige, who will be making his third stint behind the skins.

"I can't express how honored & grateful I am to be back in the Snake fold," Aldrige said in the announcement on the band's website. "Working with DC & Co has always been a labor of love. SO stoked to be back & finish what we started!!"

According to Classic Rock, Tichy's decision came as a result of some soul-searching while recovering from a broken collarbone that he sustained late last month. Tichy recently began a new project with Sass Jordan called SUN (Something Unto Nothing), and he felt that his work in Whitesnake would short-change his new venture. SUN also includes Whitesnake bassist Michael Devin.

Aldrige returns to the band he first joined following the release of their self-titled 1987 smash, which featured such MTV staples as 'Here I Go Again' and 'Is This Love,' until their 1991 breakup. Before that, Aldrige played with Black Oak Arkansas, Pat Travers, Gary Moore and Ozzy Osbourne.

He was not included in their first reunion in the mid-1990s, but was brought back into the fold for the 25th anniversary tour in 2002, and stayed until 2007. He appeared on one studio release, 1989's 'Slip of the Tongue,' and three live albums, 'Live... In the Still of the Night,' 'Live: In the Shadow of the Blues' and 'Live at Donington 1990.'

Aldrige returns with plenty of time to rehearse for the band's next slate of gigs. Between May 1 and June 10, they will tour Japan, the U.K. and Europe.