RIP Alan White 1949-2022

May 26, 2022 5:47 PM

Alan White longtime drummer of Yes has passed away at age 72.
posted by Windopaene (36 comments total)

Oh, my.

Thank you, dear sir, for the joy. Rest is song.
posted by Silvery Fish at 6:02 PM on May 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

No.
posted by riruro at 6:07 PM on May 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

Sound Chaser, from Relayer
posted by the Real Dan at 6:15 PM on May 26, 2022 [4 favorites]

Also the drummer on Instant Karma

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLy2SaSQAtA


So long and thanks.
posted by freakazoid at 6:42 PM on May 26, 2022

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thanks for all the wonderous stories.
posted by j_curiouser at 6:45 PM on May 26, 2022 [3 favorites]

𝄽
posted by adekllny at 6:50 PM on May 26, 2022

Also the drummer, in a roundabout way, for Art Of Noise.
posted by stannate at 6:54 PM on May 26, 2022 [4 favorites]

he joined the band mere days before a major tour was to begin, and Yes were not a jam band -- he had to really learn those insanely complex songs. The album Yessongs is startling proof that he more than pulled it off.

Then Yes decided what the hell -- let's dive into arguably the most divisive concept album of an entire era of divisive concept albums. He didn't drown. In fact, on side three (the most divisive of the album's four sides) it's entirely arguable he figured out how to breathe underwater.

And then came Relayer -- the album where Yes went even further. The Real Dan already linked Sound Chaser. Here it is live -- 1975.


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posted by philip-random at 6:58 PM on May 26, 2022 [7 favorites]

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posted by May Kasahara at 7:04 PM on May 26, 2022

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posted by Farce_First at 7:06 PM on May 26, 2022

Damn.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 7:22 PM on May 26, 2022

.

So much talent
posted by supermedusa at 7:24 PM on May 26, 2022

Just yesterday, I watched Geddy Lee joining Yes to perform "Roundabout" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because Chris Squire had died, and, well.

Well.
posted by DoctorFedora at 7:44 PM on May 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

Oddly, my SO and I have been on a Yes binge lately. We listened to the albums chronologically and are really amazed at their dramatic development over time.
posted by Miko at 7:44 PM on May 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

three notable sessions:

George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
John Lennon - instant karma
John Lennon - imagine
posted by philip-random at 7:49 PM on May 26, 2022 [2 favorites]

Yes has brought me so much joy across the decades it's difficult to wrap it all up. And now they're all leaving us, either slowly or unexpectedly.

Thanks so much for the music and the inspiration and the joy.

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posted by hippybear at 7:53 PM on May 26, 2022 [4 favorites]

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posted by Sphinx at 8:00 PM on May 26, 2022

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posted by MrGuilt at 8:13 PM on May 26, 2022

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posted by inpHilltr8r at 8:24 PM on May 26, 2022

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posted by Joey Michaels at 9:44 PM on May 26, 2022

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posted by Lyme Drop at 10:29 PM on May 26, 2022

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posted by fregoli at 11:58 PM on May 26, 2022

Fuck. Fucketty fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

RIP, you magnificent monster.
posted by flabdablet at 1:22 AM on May 27, 2022

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posted by Kattullus at 1:40 AM on May 27, 2022

Dammit.
Here he performs a few Yes songs at the Prince's Trust concert in 2004.
Later he is part of a live Close to the Edit.
I discovered it late but I as soon as I heard Tempus Fugit off the Drama album it has never left my ipod(s).
posted by LostInUbe at 2:13 AM on May 27, 2022 [2 favorites]

I always preferred White over Buford in Yes.
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posted by KingEdRa at 7:46 AM on May 27, 2022

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posted by oozy rat in a sanitary zoo at 8:00 AM on May 27, 2022

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posted by droplet at 8:04 AM on May 27, 2022

Yes ~ The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus) ~ Live at Montreux [2003] [HD 1080p] (Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, Squire, White)
posted by flabdablet at 8:23 AM on May 27, 2022 [1 favorite]

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posted by filtergik at 9:42 AM on May 27, 2022

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posted by eclectist at 9:45 AM on May 27, 2022

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posted by mygothlaundry at 10:19 AM on May 27, 2022

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posted by kitten kaboodle at 12:12 PM on May 27, 2022

→ Also the drummer, in a roundabout way, for Art Of Noise.

Yup: according to JJ, it's Alan White on snare and bass, recorded through the studio talkback mic, re-recorded on a Pro Walkman, sampled with slightly off timing by JJ on Fairlight, then given the Gary Langan reverb magic to make Beat Box.

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posted by scruss at 1:46 PM on May 27, 2022

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posted by annieb at 4:08 PM on May 27, 2022

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posted by luckynerd at 9:56 PM on May 28, 2022