The news comes after the band recently revealed that White would not appear on their 50th Anniversary Close To The Edge UK Tour in June due to health reasons. His wife Gigi confirmed White's passing with a statement on his official Facebook page that details his illustrious career:
"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)."
Yes have dedicated their 50th Anniversary Close To The Edge UK Tour to White.
Yes Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Wed June 15 2022 - GLASGOW Royal Concert Hall
Fri June 17 2022 - MANCHESTER Bridgewater Hall
Sat June 18 2022 - NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall
Mon June 20 2022 - LIVERPOOL Philharmonic Hall
Tue June 21 2022 - LONDON Royal Albert Hall
Wed June 22 2022 - YORK Barbican
Fri June 24 2022 - BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall
Sun June 26 2022 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE City Hall
Tue June 28 2022 - DUBLIN Vicar Street
Wed June 29 2022 - CORK Opera House
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