English musician and songwriter Alan White, best known as the drummer for progressive rock band Yes, died on May 26, 2022, in Seattle, United States of America.
Alan White was born on June 14, 1949, in Pelton, England. He took piano lessons at the age of six and started to play drums at twelve.
During the 1960s, Alan played drums for several bands, including The Downbeats, The Gamblers, Billy Fury, Alan Price Big Band, Bell and Arc, Terry Reid, Happy Magazine (later called Griffin), and Balls with Trevor Burton (The Move) and Denny Laine (Wings).
In 1968, Alan White became a member of the famed joined Ginger Baker’s Airforce, a new group that was put together by the former drummer of Cream and other well known musicians from England’s rock music scene including Steve Winwood, formerly of Traffic.
In 1969, Alan joined the Plastic Ono Band and played drums on several songs featured in John Lennon’s “Imagine” album.
Alan became a member of Yes on July 27, 1972, as a replacement for original drummer Bill Bruford. Alan stayed with Yes until his passing.
(headline image: Alan White with Yes in 2016 – Photo by Gottlieb Bros)