Sad to report Yes drummer Alan White has passed away after a short illness, aged 72. A fantastic musician who had a great career.
Alan White RIP
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Very sad, but a good life lived. He was a caner with Chris Squire whilst the rest of the band were doing yoga after macrobiotic muesli. AW was 72. I crashed a backstage party for them when i was 16, and he gave me a bottle of beer and listened politely to my inane awed talk for 5 minutes before politely saying he had to greet everyone and would have to be excused. He signed my programme, but was only 27 himself – imagine to have been in Yes from 22 to 27 in Yes’s imperial phase: must have been a lot of fun (esp with Chris). Though not a jazz drummer, he did very well on “Relayer”.
Particularly sorry to hear that – “short illness”, perhaps, but he hadn’t been looking well for some time. End of an era, with Chris and Alan both gone…
Yes indeed. The backbone of Yes in the second (count em!) imperial phase of Yes’ astonishing career.
‘Yes, Indeed’ the name of the next Yes tribute band right there.
Given Jon A’s interests in medievalism it’s a wonder the band weren’t called Yea.
Jon Anderson and Ritchie Blackmore in tabard and hose could kill as a medieval supergroup. But perhaps the moment has passed…
Nonsense! Fire up the trebuchet!
I have been playing Relayer relentlessly recently as I just discovered a new love for it after considering it a blip in Yes’ 70s output for so long. I think that album, with Topographic before it and Going For The One after it, are testament to White’s greatness. Not an easy job to follow in the footsteps of the mighty Bill Bruford, but I think White took to the task with glee and in many ways surpassed Bruford.
He had recently pulled out of the current Yes tour for ill health, so the writing was obviously on the door. But good to know he was active right to the end.
Brilliant on this track.
Seen that several times before, but only now (after Get Back) to I instantly recognise the seemingly out of place Mal Evans, and the fact that there are 2 bassists on the stage.
The Guardian reported his death yesterday, and misidentified him in a group picture. The photo caption is now correct, but previously said he was in the blue shirt…
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/may/26/alan-white-drummer-with-prog-rock-band-yes-dies-aged-72