Yes’ Drummer Alan White Will Miss Anniversary Tour

Yes have announced that drummer Alan White will not be taking part on their upcoming tour, which marks the 50th anniversary of their Close to the Edge album.

The series of U.K. dates was also to celebrate White’s 50th year as a member of the prog-rock band after he joined in time to participate in their first Close to the Edge tour of 1972. White has been the longest-playing member of Yes since the death of bassist Chris Squire in 2015.

The band’s management statement read:

“Due to current health issues, Alan White will not be taking part on the forthcoming tour.

“Alan was really looking forward to playing live again preparing to celebrate 50 years with Yes, having joined the band for the 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.”

Schellen first filled in on the drums when White had back surgery in 2016, then guested as the second drummer in 2018 as White recovered from a bacterial infection. Members Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison and Billy Sherwood would all take part on the trek along with longtime artistic collaborator Roger Dean, who’ll direct the stage visuals while also presenting an exhibition of Yes-related art.

The upcoming tour was originally supposed to include a full performance of the 1974 LP Relayer, but that will be held for a future tour in the band’s Album Series program. Instead, Yes is set to feature Close to the Edge in full “along with other classic tracks from Yes’ extensive catalog.” See full dates below.

Yes, ‘Close to the Edge’ British Isles Tour 2022
6/15 – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
6/17 – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
6/18 – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
6/20 – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
6/21 – London Royal Albert Hall
6/22 – York Barbican
6/24 – Birmingham Symphony Hall
6/26 – Newcastle O2 City Hall
6/28 – Dublin Vicar Street
6/29 – Cork Opera House