It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Yes drummer Alan White. Alan was a brilliant drummer and a very kind spirited person. One of my favorite memories of Alan is when we had the chance to interview him for the Yes Music Podcast. He was funny and very easy to talk to. This is a great loss, not only to Yes fans but to the music world as well. Rest in Peace Alan.
Produced by Ken Fuller, Wayne Halland Jeffrey Crecelius
While we wait for Yes to begin their tour in Japan in September and following the end of Jon Anderson’s Close To The Edge tour, it’s comparatively quiet in Yes world at the moment. That certainly doesn’t mean we don’t have anything to talk about, of course. So this week Mark and I have been thinking about why Yes wanted the late and already desperately missed Alan White.
We have discovered or perhaps rediscovered some aspects of Alan’s early career which made him the perfect fit for Yes following the departure of Bill Bruford, very shortly before the beginning of the original Close To The Edge tour. It was an excellent discussion reminding us just how multi-faceted Alan’s abilities were so do keep listening for that.
What about Alan White attracted Yes?
What did Alan spend his teenage years doing?
What recordings can we hear pre-Yes Alan playing on?
Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!
If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:
Theme music
The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert – I put it together from: archive.org
I’m on holiday – again – with the family so I’ve added a repeat of one of our favourite ’deep dives’ into the feed. I hope you enjoy it even if you’ve heard it before.
Produced by Ken Fuller, Wayne Halland Jeffrey Crecelius
I recently spoke to illustrator Colin Elgie, who was a freelance illustrator for legendary album art producers, Hipgnosis, for the whole of the 1970s. We chatted about his artwork for Tormato and I found out that he also produced some other Yes items you’ll recognise, along with other prog album covers. It was a great phone call and this week I explain to Mark what Colin said and we take a look at some of the artwork Colin and I discussed.
Then Mark tells us about some other vinyl albums which have interesting and/or unique inner contents. You’ll also have your favourites so please do add them in the comments below.
What did Colin Elgie produce for Yes?
What did he think of the Hipgnosis cover for Tormato?
What other inner album contents are worth tracking down?
Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!
Two Genesis albums with Colin Elgie covers:
Al Stewart – Year of the Cat with Colin Elgie cover:
Colin Elgie’s artwork for the inner bag of Tormato, in various places and formats:
Original 1978 Tormato inner bag – frontOriginal 1978 Tormato inner bag – backBack inside cover of the Tormato music bookExpanded and remastered CD trayExpanded and remastered CD printingThe ‘pre-release’ version on the inside front cover of the 1978 Tourmato programme – note the different lettering, lines and map!
If you are still listening to the podcast on the website, please consider subscribing so you don’t risk missing anything:
Theme music
The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert – I put it together from: archive.org
Produced by Ken Fuller, Wayne Halland Jeffrey Crecelius
After a period of ill health I’m finally back this week with the second part of our Why did Yes want Rick Wakeman feature. Many thanks to everyone who has sent wishes for a speedy recovery.
We also have the final word from Simon Barrow on the CTTE 50th Anniversary UK and Irish tour and we start with some news from around the interwebs.
What were the two previous albums from Strawbs like?
Why was Rick fed up with that band?
What were press and fan reactions like to CTTE50?
Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!
The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert – I put it together from: archive.org
We are back almost to normal or what passes for normal in these parts this week. After the merry mayhem of the Yes UK and Irish tour celebrating CTTE’s 50th Anniversary, this week Mark and I return to our new-ish series trying to make semi-educated guesses about why Yes wanted to add new or different musicians to their fold. This time, we turn our excited attention to Rick Wakeman and consider what he was doing to attract the band’s attention. That’ll be fun.
Before that we have the final tour diary entry from the redoutable Simon Barrow complete with a new crop of photos below:
What attracted Yes to Rick Wakeman?
What had he been doing before?
How does Simon sum up the latest tour?
Take a listen to the episode and then let us know what you think below!
The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert – I put it together from: archive.org