Alan White (Yes drummer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alan White
White in 2003
Background information
Born	(1949-06-14)14 June 1949 Pelton, County Durham, England
Died	26 May 2022(2022-05-26) (aged 72) Newcastle, Washington, U.S.
Genres	Progressive rock, pop rock, hard rock
Occupation(s)	Drummer
Years active	1967–2022
Labels	Atlantic Atco Arista Victory Sanctuary Eagle Frontiers Inside Out Music
Associated acts	Yes, Plastic Ono Band, John Lennon, Circa, White, The Syn

Alan White (born June 14, 1949 – died May 26, 2022) was a famous English drummer. He was best known for playing drums in the progressive rock band Yes. Alan joined Yes in 1972. He took the place of their first drummer, Bill Bruford.

After the bassist Chris Squire passed away in 2015, Alan White became the member who had been in Yes the longest. He was also the only member besides Chris Squire who never left the band before his own death in 2022. Alan played on 43 albums with Yes. Seventeen of these were original studio albums.

In 1969, Alan joined John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Plastic Ono Band. John Lennon asked him to play at a music festival in Toronto. Alan also played drums on famous songs like "Instant Karma!" and "Imagine". He played on most of John Lennon's 1971 album, Imagine.

Besides his work with Yes and John Lennon, Alan White played on over 50 albums for other musicians. These included George Harrison, Ginger Baker's Air Force, Joe Cocker, and The Ventures.

Alan White was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. He was inducted as a member of the band Yes.

Alan White's Life Story

His Early Years

Alan White was born in a village called Pelton in England. His father had many jobs. He was a clerk, a shop keeper, and a driver. His father also played the piano in local pubs. Alan's grandfather played piano, and his uncle was a drummer.

When Alan was seven, his family moved to Ferryhill. He spent the rest of his childhood there. At age six, Alan started piano lessons. He played the piano "very percussively," meaning he hit the keys hard like drums. His uncle noticed this. Alan's parents bought him an Ajax drum kit for Christmas when he was twelve. Alan said his uncle was a big influence on him.

Alan felt pushed to play like his drum teacher. He wanted to "be more individual" on the drums. So, he started to create his own drumming style. His parents later bought him a shiny silver Ludwig drum kit.

Starting with Bands and Studio Work

After a few months of drum lessons, Alan joined his first band. He was thirteen. The band was called the Downbeats. They played songs by the Beatles and other popular groups. The band became well known in the Newcastle area. They played in clubs and dance halls almost every night. Alan's teachers found out about his music when the band was in the local newspaper.

In 1964, the Downbeats changed their name to the Blue Chips. They went to London for a band contest. They won the contest and got money and a recording contract. They recorded some songs, but they didn't become hits. The band broke up soon after.

Alan focused on his school exams for a while. He then became interested in studying technical drawing. He thought about becoming an architect. But at seventeen, he decided to follow music. He toured with Billy Fury's band, the Gamblers. They even played some shows in Germany.

Alan then played in a band called Happy Magazine, later known as Griffin. He also worked with Alan Price and became a session musician. This means he was hired to play on recordings for different artists.

In 1969, Alan got a call from John Lennon. Lennon invited him to join the Plastic Ono Band for a live show. This was at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival festival. Alan didn't believe it was really John Lennon at first! But he accepted. The show was on September 13, 1969. It was in front of 20,000 people. The concert was later released as a live album.

This show led to more studio work for Alan. He played drums on John Lennon's Imagine album and the song "Instant Karma!". He also played on All Things Must Pass by George Harrison.

Joining the Band Yes

White performing in 2010

Alan White used to share a flat with a sound engineer named Eddy Offord. Eddy worked with the band Yes. In early 1972, Alan watched Yes record a video for their song "America". Later, he went to one of their rehearsals. Their drummer, Bill Bruford, had to leave early. So, Alan sat in and played with the band.

On July 19, 1972, after Yes finished recording their album Close to the Edge, Bill Bruford left the band. Yes needed a new drummer quickly because their tour was starting in less than a week. Alan got a call saying Yes wanted him to join. The band members Jon Anderson and Chris Squire met with Alan. He joined Yes!

Alan spent the next three days learning all of Yes's songs. The tour started on July 30, 1972, in Dallas, Texas. That same week, Alan was also offered to join two other famous bands, Jethro Tull and America.

Alan's first live album with Yes was Yessongs in 1973. His first studio album with them was Tales from Topographic Oceans later that year.

Alan played drums on over 40 studio and live albums for Yes. He also played piano on some songs and helped write many of them. He played on famous Yes albums like Relayer, Going for the One, and 90125.

Alan played over 3,070 live concerts with Yes. Sometimes, due to health issues, he missed tours. Other drummers, like Jay Schellen, filled in for him. But Alan always returned to play with the band.

In 2018, Alan toured with Yes to celebrate their 50th anniversary. In 2019, during "The Royal Affair" tour, Yes played John Lennon's song "Imagine." This was a tribute to Alan's earlier work with Lennon. Videos from the original "Imagine" recording sessions were shown during the song.

Alan played on Yes's most recent studio album, The Quest, which came out in 2021.

Other Music Projects

Alan White released his only solo album, Ramshackled, in 1976.

In 2003, Alan started a new band called White. They released an album in 2006. The album cover was designed by Roger Dean, who also designed many Yes album covers. The band White played live shows in the Seattle area.

Alan also worked with other musicians from Yes. He played with Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood in the band Circa.

In 2017, to celebrate being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Alan played with the University of Washington Husky Marching Band during a football game.

His Family and Passing

Alan White was married to his wife, Gigi, for over 40 years. They lived in Newcastle, Washington. They had two children, Jesse and Cassi. Jesse is also a musician.

Alan White passed away at his home in Newcastle on May 26, 2022. He was 72 years old. He had been sick for a short time. Just a few days before his death, it was announced that he would not be able to join Yes on their upcoming tour due to his health.

Sadly, two months before he died, many of Alan's personal items and musical instruments were stolen from his home and a storage unit. These included awards and a drum kit he used with the Plastic Ono Band.

Awards and Recognitions

Alan White received many awards throughout his career.

With John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

• 1972 NME Award for Best Album (Imagine)

With Yes

• 1973 NME Award for World Top Group
• 1973 NME Award for British Top Group
• 1974 NME Award for Best World Group
• 1974 NME Award for Best British Top Group
• 1974 NME Award for Best Dressed Album (Yessongs)
• 1975 NME Award for Best Dressed Album (Relayer)
• 1985 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance ("Cinema")
• 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

Discography

This is a list of some of the albums Alan White played on.

Solo Albums

• Ramshackled (1976)
• White (2006)

With John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band

• Live Peace in Toronto 1969 (1969)
• "Instant Karma!" (1970)
• Imagine (1971)
• Some Time in New York City (1972)

With George Harrison

• All Things Must Pass (1970)
• Radha Krsna Temple (1971)

With Yes

Other Important Appearances

Alan White also played on albums for many other artists, including:

• Gary Wright – Extraction (1970)
• Paul Kossoff – Back Street Crawler (1973)
• Rick Wakeman – The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973)
• Steve Howe – Beginnings (1975)
• Donovan – "The Music Makers" (1973)

See also

In Spanish: Alan White (baterista de Yes) para niños