JOHN SYKES: I Will Not Be Touring With WHITESNAKE

Former WHITESNAKE guitarist John Sykes will NOT be participating in the legendary group's upcoming reunion tour, according to a posting from the axeman on his official web site.

"To set the record straight, I will not be participating in the upcoming WHITESNAKE tour," Sykes said. "I hope this answers the numerous questions that have come in regarding this."

As previously reported, WHITESNAKE are strongly rumored to be planning a return to the live arena via a U.S. package tour with THE SCORPIONS, tentatively set to take place in the spring. In addition, unconfirmed reports suggest that WHITESNAKE mastermind David Coverdale is mulling an offer from Locomotive/WEA Records for a possible new studio album, the group's first since 1997's "Restless Heart" effort (which came out under the DAVID COVERDALE & WHITESNAKE moniker).