Sad, so sad. Part of my life since the early seventies. YES, music was my first love. Saw HIM and…
Alan White
June 14, 1949 - May 26, 2022
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.
Throughout his life and six-decade career, Alan was many things to many people: a certified rock star to fans around the world; band mate to a select few, and gentleman and friend to all who met him.
Alan was born in Pelton, County Durham, England on June 14, 1949. He began piano lessons at the age of six, began playing the drums at age twelve, and has been performing publicly since the age of thirteen.
Throughout the 1960s, Alan honed his craft with a variety of 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 joined Ginger Baker’s Airforce, a new group that was put together by the former drummer of Cream and other noted musicians from England’s music scene including Steve Winwood, formerly of Traffic.
In 1969, Alan received what he thought at the time to be a prank phone call, but it was John Lennon calling to ask Alan to join the Plastic Ono Band. The next day Alan found himself learning songs in the back of an airliner headed to Toronto with Lennon, Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, and Klaus Voormann. The ensuing album, Live Peace in Toronto, sold millions of copies, peaking at number 10 on the charts.
Alan’s association with Lennon continued, recording singles like ‘Instant Karma’ and the subsequent landmark album, Imagine, with Alan providing drums for the title song, ‘Jealous Guy’, and ‘How Do You Sleep at Night’. Alan’s work with Lennon led to an introduction to George Harrison, who asked Alan to perform on the album All Things Must Pass, including the single, ‘My Sweet Lord’, released in 1970. Alan subsequently worked with many artists for the Apple label, including Billy Preston, Rosetta Hightower, and Doris Troy.
Alan joined YES on July 27, 1972, and with only three days to learn the music, YES opened their US tour before 15,000 fans in Dallas, Texas on July 30, 1972. Alan has been with YES ever since, and with the passing of founding member, Chris Squire, in June 2015, Alan is the longest continuously serving band member.
Alan is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and May White (née Thrower), his sister-in-law, Mindi Hall, and many loyal furry companions. He is survived by his wife of forty years (May 15, 1982) Rogena “Gigi” (née Walberg), his children, Jesse (Emily), their two children JJ and Ellie, and Cassi (Kela), and sister-in-law Andrea Holmqvist (Robert).
Gigi, Jesse, and Cassi
Seattle, WA
such powerful & great sounding drums on “Big Generator” — tasteful throughout – an absolute favorite of mine — so…
RIP, Alan. Thanks for the music!
Thanks for the music, Alan! What a fantastic career. Best wishes to Alan’s family, friends and fans. 🎸👍
Enjoyed the music over the years! RIP. May family and friends find comfort in the promises of Jesus (John 11:26-26).
I only knew Alan from his musical performances(I was so lucky to witness 45+)- I will miss him! one of…
So much joy brought to so many people over so many years.
Thank you, Alan White, for all this wonderful music over the decades! Dear Gigi, Cassi and Jesse, I am deeply…
It’s very sad to lose such special people… people with talent and perfect jobs. Gratitude for your contribution to the…
I recall when Alan White replaced Bill Bruford with YES. I thought that those were some huge shoes to try…
Already something of a legend before he even joined Yes for what would become his home band for the next…
Dear Gigi, Cassie and Jesse, I’m so saddened to hear of Alan’s death. He was a true prog rock god…
So shocked and sadden on the passing of Alan White one of the greatest drummer’s that ever lived. Loved yes…
Dear Alan , Thank you for all your music you have to my life and everyone else’s ..although I never…
Dear Alan , Thank you for all your music you have to my life and everyone else’s ..although I never…
A real master of drums. Great sadness.
Sendest deepest condolences to you all. Alan and his music have been very dear to me for since I first…
Bye Alan. Thanks for all the great YesShows… Nous sommes du soleil. We love when we play. Open doors we…
A sad day indeed, I loved his style and the unique drum kits he came up with over the years.…
Condolences to friends and family. I’ve been trying to find info on the personnel who played on the Album “White”…
I should maybe add the fact that I live in Everett Wa. to my previous comment.
Heartfelt condolences to Gigi, the entire family and the members of YES, past and present. I was privileged to meet…
When Bruford left Yes i was pissed, but when i learned the replacement drummer’s name was Alan, I gave him…
Please accept our heartfelt condolences … the world is a better place because of Alan. He is a beacon of…
What a shining star. I remember the green from kit at cobo hall Detroit back in ‘73 just blew me…
Please accept our heartfelt condolences … the world is a better place because of Alan. He is a beacon of…
Thanks for your talent and commitment. I saw you in Tucson AZ in the 70’s. You guys were awesome and…
Thank you sir for the music and memories. You will be missed.
Thanks for the Music!!! RIP Alan.
So sad to hear this news. I always admired Alan as an amazing drummer. I’m glad to know there is…
To Alan’s Family: I am a younger (40) Yes & Beatles fan. I had the pleasure of seeing Alan in…
Peace to the White family. Dear Alan was a wonderful talent and helped make so many musical dreams come true.…
Alan, en ti se encuentran mis dos grupos por encima de todos los demás. Yes y The Beatles (con John…
Alan White desde Perú (Macchu Picchu) mis condolencias. Crecí escuchando a Yes y siempre me pareció grandioso el ritmo de…
Alan, you have been a musical inspiration to myself and millions of others. The back bone of Yes, you set…
Alan was the back-beat and support of my youth, my middle age, and my later years. I still regularly watch…
Dear Alan, we will miss you (another piece of my youthness is in heaven now ..,)
Dear Alan, we will miss you (another piece of my youthness is in heaven now ..,) .. we will miss…
A long time ago I was driving through a rainstorm on my way to work, listening to Yes’s Relayer (one…
Only a fan. A great musician. You will miss us. Alan.
RIP, Alan White. You are forever brilliant.
God Bless Alan’s soul. My most heartfelt condolences to Gigi and Alan’s family. As a 49er fan, I should be…
Mis más Debidas Condolencias para la Familia White. Soy Argentino, y un Gran Admirador del Grupo más Grande de Rock…
Very saddened to hear the news. Seemed like such a gentle man, even though he was fierce on the kit.…
Such a sad day. Allen White and Yes have been the soundtrack of my life. Countless number of amazing shows…
Since the early 70’s YES has been my band; my musical compass and guiding light. I have my sister and…
Alan White will be sorely missed. He gave me so much joy over the years. I hope he knew. I…
Alan will live on through his music. Love to those he left behind.
Fly high Alan, you were always in the stars!
Really sad day x Backbone of a band that spoke across generations and eras simultaneously. Never had the pleasure of…
Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. He was a very talented human and it’s truly sad to…
Wery sad news. Remember when I bought my first Yes album “Going for the on” and was so impressed by…
Very sorry to here this. Alan was the best, always very nice when we met. Thoughts are with Gigi and…
So, so, so sad to hear these news. My heart and deepset condoleaces goes to Gigi, Jesse and Cassie, and…
Thank you Alan for the wonderful musical legacy . Rest in peace , Love and condolences to your family ,…
Oh, my! Such sad news this is. A great drummer who brought joy and dancing fun to so very many…
My deepest and heartfelt condolences at the passing of your beloved father, grandfather and husband. Alan White was a marvelous…
Rest in peace Alan, one of my greatest musical heroes. After listening to 90125 everything changed. And it happened a…
Top Musician, Rip.
I have been a Yes fan since 1973 when Alan start his career in the Band, he was gentle, feeling…
Thank you for the music, for being part of the soundtrack of my life.
Thanks for the music and the memories. I enjoyed reading that lovely and well written synopsis of his life.
My first live rock and roll show — Spokane, WA. Circa 1976. The set, the lights, the music, the friends…
So sad, thank you Alan for decades of music, that filled my life. My thoughts are with you ,your Family…
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. The beautiful picture shows a happy man surrounded by love of…
One of the best drummers ever. Was brought up on Yes by two older brothers. Still my regular go to…
Totally bummed. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this incredible musician perform numerous times and always being jaw dropped at…
I have been a YES fan since 1983. Watching them live since 1994. Alan was a brilliant musician with such…
RIP Alan. I saw you playing with Yes in 1989 in Rotterdam.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I saw Alan play at my very first concert ever when Yes played…
Thank you for all the great music you helped create.
Deepest condolences to the White family, and to the Yes family, and to all the millions and millions of fans,…
I’m very sorry for your loss. I saw him play with Yes in the 70s at the Cow Palace (with…
What horrible news! I’m truly gutted he’s gone. I met Alan and Gigi a couple of years ago at Beatlefest…
I am so sorry
listening to my fav music … the beauty , the yearning… rest in peace Alan. love to Gigi and the…
Thoughts and prayers going out to the family of a legend.
Sir Alan White is one of the reasons I started playing drums. Sir White is one of my heroes that…
Sorry to hear about Alan white his family are in my pray
Gutted to hear this news. I saw Yes in concert in 1973 when they toured in support of “Tales from…
My condolences to Alan’s family. I had the pleasure of meeting and having my picture taken with Alan at Woodstick…
How do you process the loss of such an artist and gentleman. You listen to his music and thank whoever’s…
Dearest Gigi, Cassi and Jesse, So deeply sorry to hear of Alan’s passing….sending lots of love and support to you,…
So very sorry to hear this sad news. I am a lifelong YES fan and I am still amazed that…
Sad news, my condolences to his family. I was privileged to have seen him perform many times over the years…
Jesse – used to work with you at Texaco. My condolences to you and all your family. Your father was…
Condolences to the entire White family & the Yes family on the loss of Alan from this world. He is…
I am very moved by the news. Alan White will always be synonymous of progressive rock. My condolences to his…
So sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. A Seattle treasure and a gifted drummer. He will be missed! Sending positive…
I write this with tears in my eyes. I first saw Alan on the Relayer tour. I had never seen…
A shock to all devotees of YES and the classic lineup of which Alan White was at the heart.. be…
Our thoughts and prayers for healing are with the White family at this time. Alan, you will forever be in…
I am so bummed to hear about Alan’s passing. He was a master drummer. I’ve been trying to get a…
RIP Alan. You made music history in several ways.
From a lifelong fan since 1972, R I P dear Alan. You are now where there is no pain, leaving…
condolences.
Sad beyond measure to hear of Alan’s passing. His music has been a part of my life for over 50…
Awful news today,loyal to yes since 1972 ,great drummer,will be very much missed .Condolences to the family.RIP Alan.
May the Lord welcome you with open arms, R.I.P you will be greatly missed👏🏻🥁
If there’s a rock and roll heaven, WhiteFish is on the setlist.
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