Brian Tichy 'excited' to follow Cozy Powell, Ian Paice and Tommy Aldridge in Whitesnake

Whitesnake

Whitesnake

© J. Dennis Thomas/Retna Ltd./Corbis Whitesnake

You'd need to have a heart of stone to not be excited about following in the footsteps of Ian Paice, Cozy Powell and Tommy Aldridge, and it seems that new Whitesnake drummer Brian Tichy is very excited indeed.

If the statement issued by the former Billy Idol, Ozzy Osbourne and Foreigner sticksman in reaction to the news is anything to go by, he must have been walking around with a huge grin on his face since thestory broke over the weekend.

He said: "I am greatly appreciative of the trust bestowed on me by the mighty, Lord Of Voices, David Coverdale, and my bud, who happens to be one of the most killer guitarists around, Doug Aldrich. I am also looking forward to getting it tight with Reb [Beach, guitar] and Timothy [Drury, keyboards]!"

He even found time to get in a cheeky pun, saying: "I too, am, and have been, a fan. (I practiced many hours in high school to the 'Slide It In' cassette! I ain't no stranger!)" Mr Coverdale must be very proud.

Rich Chamberlain

Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).