Immensely sad news from Yes this evening. Our deepest sympathies to Alan’s family, friends and colleagues. He was an immense talent and undoubtedly one of the iconic drummers working in rock.

The band has issued this statement:

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. The news has shocked and stunned the entire YES family.

Alan had been looking forward to the forthcoming UK Tour, to celebrating his 50^th Anniversary with YES and their iconic Close To The Edge album, where Alan’s journey with YES began in July 1972.

He recently celebrated the 40^th Anniversary of his marriage to his loving wife Gigi.   Alan passed away, peacefully at home.

Alan  was born in 1949 in County Durham. A number of health setbacks, since 2016, had restricted Alan’s time on stage with Yes on recent tours with Jay Schellen filling in and Alan joining the band, to great applause, towards the end of each set.

Alan was considered to be one of the greatest rock drummers of all time and joined Yes in 1972 for the Close to the Edge Tour. He had previously worked with John Lennon’s Plastic Ono band after a call, in 1969, to play at the Toronto Rock Festival. Alan continued working with Lennon including on the Imagine album and with George Harrison on All Things Must Pass. He also worked with several other musicians, over the years, including Ginger Baker’s Air Force, Joe Cocker, Gary Wright, Doris Troy and Billy Preston to name but a few. Alan White was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes in 2017.

YES will dedicate their 50^th Anniversary Close to the Edge UK Tour in June to White.