Alan White

Who died YESterday

Count the beat of life
composed till death drums faintly
Yes, Alan White rocked

In his honor, I post lyrics and my interpretation.

A seasoned witch will call you
from the depths of your disgrace,
to rearrange your liver
to it's solid mental grace.
And achieve it all with music,
which came quickly from afar;
to taste the fruit of man recorded
losing all against the hour.
(Anderson/Howe, Yes)

An experienced wicken sings,
and lifts you to a place,
where cleansing thought will put you
in a peaceful space.
With notes that play as fast as light
from a falling star,
we listen so intently
time gets lost, in the music's power.
(Billigami)

Author's Note

Alan White was one of the drummers for my favorite band Yes. You may have seen him on the news recently. He played with John Lennon and the drums he used on the song 'Imagine' were stolen a month or so ago. Can't help but think the stress of that contributed to his death. I've always been intrigued by the complex music and poetry of Yes. These lyrics are from one of my favorite albums and songs 'Close to the Edge'. Has anybody else interpreted lyrics?

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Always very sad when a musician dies
I didn’t follow him or Yes but I looked up on Spotify just now and found some I like
Always the way! we all had our faves in the 70s and now I can look beyond my faves I had to find with internet new old ones some gone like this man
Anyway enjoyed with interest your memorial write to someone you obviously loved

[William Michael Reeves]

Thank you Julie. I really do love their music. Complex, beautiful, powerful. My fav is a song called Awaken. Search it. If my tribute brings new music to someone then poetry adds to our lives in more ways than we thought.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Yes that’s true
Very true
Yes I’ll look 👀

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Looked at that awaken rather listened yes some great sounds !

[William Michael Reeves]

Wow! You took that musical journey. I appreciate that. 'Here we can be'. I can't listen to it without crying I'm not ashamed to say. The line at the end of the song happened to me.

'Like the time I ran away, turned around and you were standing close to me.'

That you took a listen is the real tribute. Thanks!

[Chris Shaw]

Such a great group.Takes me back to my youth. Really sorry to hear this Bill. A fine tribute to an accomplished drummer.

Chris

[William Michael Reeves]

I have always thought there must have been something in the water over there in England during the late sixties and seventies. The most amazing music and poetry! And you and I ... will read each other! Thanks Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

Excellent tribute to a great drummer

[William Michael Reeves]

Are you a fan? On my station they play anything and everything. Yes got a lot of airplay that day. Played Starship Troopers and about a hundred people called in to say Bill Bruford did that one. Amazing how many different big artists White drummed for. Local celebrity here. RIP

[Cherrie Palmer]

Some I like many of their songs: owner of a lonely heart. For one.

[William Michael Reeves]

Much better than a broken heart.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I hadn't known he passed on, but great group, great sound.
He was not just a Roundabout....much more.

nice tribute,
j.

[William Michael Reeves]

They're words took my brain out and out. They're music became my way. He lived here close to Seattle and was a well known local. My girlfriend's brother had a chance to play with him. Sucks he went to his death after losing his drum kit a couple months ago. Hope the thieves have a change of heart.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

My favorite song from Yes is the 80s classic "Owner of a lonely heart". One of that decades defining songs and most under rated gems. Thank you William for this nice tribute of a poem.

[William Michael Reeves]

Yes took a big turn on that album. New members and style. Catchy tunes that still had the complexity of the old stuff. I'm sure Cate would have something to say about your lonely heart, that is much better than a broken heart. Thanks Carlos.

[Relic]

He was such a great drummer and able to learn many songs in a short amount of time. I'm sorry to see him go. Perhaps he's jamming with Chris Squire and getting ready for Howe and the others.

As far as lyrics, they've always been cryptic to me. (I eat at chez nous). :)
I've seen all good people was about The viet nam war, but as for others, I'm not sure and never studied them, only listened as a whole.

Good tribute Bill.

[William Michael Reeves]

I was hoping some fans would come out of the woodwork Tim. I think some of the best poetry is from that era in music. Something in the water over there in England. Acid I imagine. My late girlfriend's brother played with Alan White. Alan lived near here in Seattle. 'Awaken' is my fav Yes song. I liked your sentiment about the afterlife. They say drummers die early. Drum and bass in the heavens. Thanks