Alan White, Drummer for Yes and John Lennon, Dies at 72
variety.comJem Aswad Senior Music EditorAlan White, longtime drummer of progressive-rock titans Yes who also played with John Lennon and George Harrison, has died after a short illness, the band reported on social media.
No further details were immediately announced; he was 72.While best known for his decades-long stint with Yes, White began working with the former Beatles at an early age, appearing with Lennon at his famous “Live Peace in Toronto” concert in 1969 (in a backing band that also included Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman and Yoko Ono) as well as several of Lennon’s albums and singles at the time, most notably the 1970 song “Instant Karma!,” where his whipcrack drumming is front and center.
He also played on Lennon’s “Imagine” album as well as George Harrison’s 1970 masterpiece “All Things Must Pass.” White’s career took a turn into progressive territory when he joined Yes in 1972, replacing founding drummer Bill Bruford.
White joined the group for its “Close to the Edge” album and also appeared on much of the live triple album “Yessongs.” He remained with the group for most of its many incarnations over the years, including its 1983 comeback album “90215” and the smash single “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” Over the years he also performed with Joe Cocker, Terry Reid and Ginger Baker.He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes in 2017.More to come… It is with deep sadness that YES announce Alan White, their much-loved drummer and friend of 50 years, has passed away, aged 72, after a short illness.https://t.co/FjaCeYhUk2 pic.twitter.com/nPsL8m3XhH— YESofficial (@yesofficial) May 26, 2022.
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