SiriusXM is sad to learn of the passing of legendary Yes drummer Alan White following a “brief illness.”
White’s wife and children confirmed on a Facebook post to his page: “Alan White, our beloved husband, dad, and grandpa, passed away at the age of 72 at his Seattle-area home on May 26, 2022, after a brief illness.” Listeners can hear Yes songs throughout the day on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Radio (Ch. 310) in memory of White, along with special tributes on Deep Tracks (Ch. 27), Classic Vinyl (Ch. 26) and Classic Rewind (Ch. 25).
Born in Pelton, County Durham, England, in 1949, White drummed for multiple bands throughout the ’60s before joining Ginger Baker’s Airforce with Steve Winwood and the former drummer from Cream. It was then that he received a call from John Lennon asking White to join the Plastic Ono Band, drumming on Imagine and tracks like “Instant Karma,” “Jealous Guy” and “How Do You Sleep at Night.” His work with Lennon connected him to George Harrison, who offered White the opportunity to drum on All Things Must Pass.
In 1972, White replaced Bill Bruford as the drummer in Yes and has been with them ever since, becoming the longest remaining member of the band when Chris Squire passed in 2015. Yes has sold 30 million albums worldwide and earned five GRAMMY nominations, winning the GRAMMY for Best Rock Instrumental Performance with “Cinema” in 1985. With 22 studio albums in their discography, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
White lived near Seattle, WA, for many years and is survived by his wife Gigi of 40 years and their two children, Jesse and Cassi.
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