Andy White (drummer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andy White
White at Skidmore College in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Andrew McLuckie White
Born	(1930-07-27)27 July 1930 Stranraer, Scotland
Died	9 November 2015(2015-11-09) (aged 85) Caldwell, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	Pop/rock, rock and roll, swing
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Drums, percussion
Years active	1950s–1970s
Associated acts	The Beatles The Smithereens

Andy White (born Andrew McLuckie White, July 27, 1930 – November 9, 2015) was a talented drummer from Scotland. He was known as a session musician, meaning he played drums for many different artists in the recording studio.

Andy White is most famous for playing drums on The Beatles' very first single, "Love Me Do". This happened because he temporarily filled in for Ringo Starr. He also played on "P.S. I Love You", which was the B-side of "Love Me Do".

Besides The Beatles, White worked with many other famous musicians. These included Chuck Berry, Billy Fury, Herman's Hermits, and Tom Jones. He was one of the busiest drummers in England for many years.

Andy White's Early Life and Music Career

Andy White was born in Stranraer, Scotland, on July 27, 1930. His father was a baker. Andy started playing drums when he was just 12 years old, joining a pipe band. By age 17, he became a professional session musician.

In the 1950s and early 1960s, Andy played drums with many swing and traditional jazz groups. In 1958, he formed his own big band jazz group. He took this band to the American Northeast. There, he played drums for rock and roll stars like Chuck Berry, The Platters, and Bill Haley & His Comets.

Andy said that playing in America helped him understand rock and roll drumming better. In 1960, he recorded with Billy Fury in London. This album, The Sound of Fury, is seen as one of Britain's first rock and roll albums.

In the early 1960s, Andy lived in Thames Ditton. He was married to Lyn Cornell, a singer who was part of groups like The Vernons Girls and The Carefrees.

Andy White and The Beatles

In September 1962, Andy White got an important phone call. Producer Ron Richards asked him to come to a Beatles recording session. This was at the famous EMI Studios in London.

The Beatles had already recorded "Love Me Do" twice. First, with Pete Best on drums, and then with Ringo Starr. But the producer, George Martin, wasn't happy with the drumming. So, on September 11, 1962, Andy White was asked to play drums. Ringo Starr played the tambourine instead.

Andy also played on "P.S. I Love You" during this session. He played a light cha-cha-chá beat on bongos, while Ringo played maracas. Andy was paid £5 for the session and 10 shillings for bringing his drum kit. He didn't earn any extra money from record sales.

The version of "Love Me Do" with Andy White on drums was used on the first American release of the single in 1964. It was also on The Beatles' first British album, Please Please Me. You can tell Andy's version because Ringo plays the tambourine. The version with Ringo on drums was used on early British singles.

Andy White said he also played on a recording of "Please Please Me" during that session. He believed his drumming was on the hit single. However, he only worked with The Beatles on that one day. This single session was enough to make him famous as one of the "fifth Beatles."

Andy remembered working mostly with Paul McCartney and John Lennon in the studio. They were the songwriters. He said, "They didn't use any written music, and what I had to do was play the routines with them to get an idea what they wanted before we could even start recording."

Other Music Projects

After his work with The Beatles, Andy White continued to be a busy session drummer. He played on hit songs for Herman's Hermits. He also played on Tom Jones's famous song "It's Not Unusual" and Lulu's "Shout".

Andy worked with many other musicians, including Rod Stewart and Anthony Newley. In the mid-1960s, he toured the United States with the legendary singer Marlene Dietrich. He performed in her live shows.

In 2008, Andy White played "P.S. I Love You" again. This time, it was with a rock band from New Jersey called The Smithereens. They were recording a tribute album to The Beatles. Andy's drumming was released on their album B-Sides The Beatles. He also played drums with The Smithereens at a charity concert in May 2008.

In the late 1980s, Andy White moved to the United States. He lived in Caldwell, New Jersey. There, he taught Scottish pipe band drumming. He also judged for the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association. Andy was married to Thea White, who was the voice of Muriel on the TV show Courage the Cowardly Dog. Andy even had a bumper sticker on his car that said "5THBEATLE".

Death

Andy White passed away after a stroke at his home in Caldwell, New Jersey, on November 9, 2015. He was 85 years old.