Alan White was a drummer extraordinaire. He took over the drum seat in Yes when Bill Bruford left (for the greater challenge of King Crimson, so the story goes). But playing in Yes always demanded the power and finesse of a seasoned, world-class drummer, and that description fit White to a T. The Pelton, England native also held the honor of being Yes\u2019 longest-tenured member (1972 until his death in 2022 at age 72).<\/p>\n
But Alan White\u2019s drumming career began long before he joined Yes, and even after coming on board with the progressive superstars, he continued to take on occasional session work. During the season in which he would have celebrated his 75th birthday, here are five notable session credits featuring Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Alan White.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstant Karma!\u201d single by John Lennon (1970)<\/strong>
\nWhite was enlisted by John Lennon for the soon-to-be-ex-Beatle\u2019s first major concert without his band. As part of the Plastic Ono Band (along with guitarist Eric Clapton and Lennon\u2019s old Hamburg pal Klaus Voorman on bass), White played at the Toronto Peace Festival in 1969. Soon thereafter, Lennon called on him again, this time to play on the Phil Spector co-production of \u201cInstant Karma!\u201d Other musicians on the quickly-recorded studio track include George Harrison, Billy Preston and Beatles roadie Mal Evans.<\/p>\n