Yes Announce Alan White’s Replacement For The Upcoming UK Tour

Yes recently announced their upcoming tour dates on their official Instagram account and revealed that their long-time drummer Alan White wouldn’t take part and another drummer would replace him.

With the line-up of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Peter Banks, Tony Kaye, and Bill Bruford, Yes first started making music in 1968 in London. They have been a beloved band by the English people for over half a century. Although they have been through a couple of hiatuses, the band is still performing with their current line-up of John Davison, Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes, and Billy Sherwood.

They released an album in 2021, ‘The Quest,’ but they have been preparing to perform in their UK and Ireland tours starting in June based on their iconic 1972 album titled ‘Close to the Edge.’ The band recently announced the dates and the cities they will be in from their Instagram account. The tour will begin on June 15 in Glasgow, Scotland, and end on June 29 in Cork Opera House, Ireland.

In the post’s caption, the band revealed that their long-time drummer Alan White would not be able to perform due to his health problems. The band stated that he was looking forward to performing, but they announced that Alan’s close friend Jay Schellen would replace him on drums for the tour without further explanation.

The band’s explanation follows:

“Yes management announces change to the UK close to the edge 50th-anniversary tour line-up. May 22, 2022: Yes management has announced today that due to current health issues Alan White will not be taking part in the forthcoming 50th Anniversary Close to the Edge UK Tour.

Alan was really looking forward to playing live again, preparing to celebrate 50 years with Yes, having joined the band for July 1972 Close to the Edge Tour, coming full circle in 2022. Alan’s close friend Jay Schellen will be taking on drumming duties in Alan’s place.”

They added:

“The Album Series Tour 2022 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Yes’ iconic album ‘Close to the Edge’ and will feature the album, performed in full, along with other classic tracks from Yes’ extensive catalog. The tour line-up will feature Steve Howe (guitars), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Jon Davison (vocals), Billy Sherwood (bass guitar and backing vocals) with Jay Schellen (drums and percussion).

The show will comprise full production and a high-definition video wall directed by Roger Dean, who will also be joining the tour with an exhibition of Yes-related art. A full performance of the Relayer album will now be featured in a future UK tour in The Album Series. European dates were recently announced for rescheduled dates in 2023.”

The entire dates of their tour are:

“Wed June 15, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Fri June 17, Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Sat June 18, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Mon June 20, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Tues June 21, London Royal Albert Hall
Wed June 22, York Barbican
Fri June 24, Birmingham Symphony Hall
Sun June 26, Newcastle O2 City Hall
Tues June 28, Dublin Vicar Street
Wed June 29, Cork Opera House”

You can see the photo they posted below.

Photo Credit: Yes – Instagram