Alan's influences? [Archive] - Yesfans.com: Founded 4/01

Andrea YouAndI

08-13-2006, 09:30 PM

Has Alan ever cited any specific drumming inspiration? I always wondered if much of his style, especially from Drama onward, is influenced by Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. Songs that remind me most of Bonzo, with a huge, booming, prevalent-but-not-overbearing drum sound, are the following:

Machine Messiah (Drama)
Hearts (90125)
Rhythm of Love (Big G)
Lift Me Up (Union)
The Calling, I am Waiting; most everything from Talk

Not sure if there's anything on Keys--I'd have to listen to it again. But at least here's a partial list. Any thoughts?

Buglunch

08-13-2006, 09:34 PM

Let's phone him! Got a US quarter?
( he's just across the water from me- or anyone going to White show soon should ask )

Andrea YouAndI

08-13-2006, 09:37 PM

Let's phone him! Got a US quarter?

:dog:
Let's see you try!
But I do like your idea of someone asking at one of the shows. Who's up for it?

smatt

08-13-2006, 09:55 PM

:thinking: Alan has mentioned both Buddy Rich and Louie Belson to me several times as a couple of his influences. I'm not recalling any others he's mentioned at this point as I'm usually :beer: when ever our paths cross :lmao:

True Believer

08-13-2006, 09:56 PM

:thinking: ...... I'm usually :beer: when ever our paths cross :lmao:

Surely not, Matt?

:lmao:

smatt

08-13-2006, 10:01 PM

Surely not, Matt?

:lmao:

Shocking isn't it Anne :lmao:

True Believer

08-13-2006, 10:03 PM

Shocking isn't it Anne :lmao:

Absolutely! I'm shocked and stunned ....

smatt

08-13-2006, 10:06 PM

Absolutely! I'm shocked and stunned ....

:thinking: You mean you're not "Awed" as in "Shock and Awe" not as in "Odd" :thinking: Well maybe that too, you are after all Yes fan, and one that goes galavanting around the world to see them or their respective other acts..... :lmao:

MrZuLu

08-13-2006, 10:16 PM

Tell you what...

I'll get back to you Friday after I see "White" perform live.....

MrZuLu

08-13-2006, 10:18 PM

Let's phone him! Got a US quarter?
( he's just across the water from me- or anyone going to White show soon should ask )
They are rehearsing right now...

you couldn't reach him if you tried...

you could leave a message...

MrZuLu

08-13-2006, 10:21 PM

we are not only crossing paths...

I will be having a brew with...

...nevermind

smatt

08-13-2006, 10:29 PM

we are not only crossing paths...

I will be having a brew with...

...nevermind

:thinking: See what I mean :lmao:

gathernear

08-13-2006, 10:37 PM

smatt

08-13-2006, 10:41 PM

OK, this isn't an influence but it is funny.. At least I thought it was.... At the NAMM show here in LA last January, we happened to run into Alan.... I wa wearing a Rush shirt.. He looks at me and goes "Hey Matt, you know I taught that guy everything he knows" My retort was "Uh ya right" :lmao: He of course was joking around. Alan is a great guy........ :clap:

MrZuLu

08-13-2006, 11:49 PM

:thinking: See what I mean :lmao:
woooohooo
:dog:

MrZuLu

08-13-2006, 11:50 PM

He really is fun to have a brew with...
he's a Gemini...

what do you expect?

Jackaranda

08-14-2006, 12:01 AM

Absolutely! I'm shocked and stunned ....

Very shocked..........very stunned........

WendyPoems

08-14-2006, 12:46 AM

He really is fun to have a brew with...
he's a Gemini...

what do you expect?

Alans BD is the day before mine::D

He is fun to have a beer with. I've never
asked him about his influences. I've
been to under the influence to think of it!

Wendy

Hed G.

08-14-2006, 03:20 AM

Alan seems to incorporate different styles in his playing:
There's a definite "Bonzo" feel to some of his earlier work with Yes
(the Yessongs version of YIND), then there's the Funk/Fusion edge
he brought in during the Moraz years (evident on Soundchaser and
all over the playlist during the '76 tour - check out the Jersey radio
broadcast). By the late 70's he was playing more of a laid-back
West-coast rock style, then on Drama there's a Stewart Copeland
thing showing up (especially on Tempus Fugit). During the 80's
he brought in a Phil-Collins-prog-in-the-80's type of approach,
and in the 90's he re-hashed his own influence on Prog-metal,
encompassing double-pedal bass drum technique.

It's good, innit?

Andrea YouAndI

08-14-2006, 06:42 AM

I don't think that Alan was influenced by Bonzo. But I bet they had the same influences, which were probably jazz and R and B. They do have similar styles, a bit heavy handed I guess, but powerful and precise.

That's exactly what I was getting at: the more "booming" sound that is evident on the later Yes albums. I always thought Zep's "When the Levee Breaks" and "Hearts" from 90125 were comparable. And even if Alan wasn't consciously influenced by the late great Bonzo, there's always the possibility of osmosis...

Nothing wrong with being powerful and precise; I've recently been listening to Def Leppard, and their drummer Rick Allen has probably the loudest bass drum sound I've ever heard. Way to compensate when you've only got one arm, I guess. ;) :shrug:

I just love drummers! :drummer: I didn't used to be into them that much, but maybe it eventually came with being a bass player fan...

Yes_Fan_4_Life26

08-14-2006, 12:32 PM

Alan's work on Our Song, On The Silent Wings Of Freedom, New Language, Shoot Low Aim High, and Hold On show case his bass drum work. Sound Chaser, Anne Cleves, and Cinema showcase his speed. Probably the best drumming, in terms of creavity, would have to be either Drama or Tormato.

yarstruly

08-14-2006, 01:10 PM

I've always loved his drumming on That, That Is...but I seem to be the only one.....

Mostly Harmless

08-14-2006, 01:18 PM

I think Alan was awesome on Drama. Then again, I haven't had any gripes about any of his work.

marklovesyes

08-14-2006, 01:23 PM

Not a direct question about influences, but this is from an interview with Alan not too long ago:

"Q: Are there any drummers that you enjoy listening to lately?
A: My usual answer to this question is that I listen to lots of different music and I have lots of drummers that I have respect for. A few that I really enjoy are Leon White, Neil Peart, Steve Gadd, Jim Keltner, Louie Bellson, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Lee, Alfonse Munson, Bernard Purdie, Bill Bruford, Ringo Starr, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Kenny Aronoff, Mike Portnoy, and John Bonham. There are many good drummers out there who do things for their own reasons to fit into particular styles."

You can find it here:

http://www.geocities.com/drummerinterviews/alanwhite.html

Mostly Harmless

08-14-2006, 01:28 PM

Andrea YouAndI

08-14-2006, 01:32 PM

Not a direct question about influences, but this is from an interview with Alan not too long ago:

"Q: Are there any drummers that you enjoy listening to lately?
A: My usual answer to this question is that I listen to lots of different music and I have lots of drummers that I have respect for. A few that I really enjoy are Leon White, Neil Peart, Steve Gadd, Jim Keltner, Louie Bellson, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Lee, Alfonse Munson, Bernard Purdie, Bill Bruford, Ringo Starr, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Kenny Aronoff, Mike Portnoy, and John Bonham. There are many good drummers out there who do things for their own reasons to fit into particular styles."

Well, I can say I enjoy the work of at least four: Keltner, Bruford, Starr, and Bonham. Most of the rest are names I don't know.
Of course Alan would say he likes Bruford's work. How can you not honor your predecessor? LOL But in truth they're probably good friends anyway.

Whitefish

08-16-2006, 02:14 AM

Great topic here!

Alan was influenced especially by Louis Bellson and Buddy Rich.

But there is definitely a connection between him and John Bonham. They both play Ludwig drums and tune similarly. They both have my favorite drum sound which is Ludwig! Also, they play powerfully, yet dynamically.

Alan was rumoured to be one of the possible replacements for John in
Led Zeppelin. XYZ would be great to hear!

Alan also had some Billy Cobham and Lenny White influence in the intro to "Soundchaser". That is some of Alan's best playing IMO.

What more can I say? Alan is great!

Imperatrix

08-16-2006, 02:19 AM

Very shocked..........very stunned........

My Rutles friend. :D

allpurechance

08-16-2006, 02:22 AM

Alan is so underrated.Having one of the toughest possible acts to follow - and doing so with aplomb.

All these many years later, he has become to me kind of the true Yes Hero.

He saved the band in 1973, and has more or less been doing it ever since!

And...

...he ROCKS!

Gawd, I love Alan White!Upon whose mighty shoulders rests the foundation of this wonderful band.

Where did I hear it?Somewhere...perhaps on the Yesspeak dvd...and I can't even remember who said it, now...

"If Alan is having a good night, we're all going to have a good night."

Imperatrix

08-16-2006, 02:23 AM

Not a direct question about influences, but this is from an interview with Alan not too long ago:

"Q: Are there any drummers that you enjoy listening to lately?
A: My usual answer to this question is that I listen to lots of different music and I have lots of drummers that I have respect for. A few that I really enjoy are Leon White, Neil Peart, Steve Gadd, Jim Keltner, Louie Bellson, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Lee, Alfonse Munson, Bernard Purdie, Bill Bruford, Ringo Starr, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Kenny Aronoff, Mike Portnoy, and John Bonham. There are many good drummers out there who do things for their own reasons to fit into particular styles."

I had a feeling he listened to many of these guys. I'm so happy to see most of these citations! Very cool!

Andrea YouAndI

08-16-2006, 07:43 AM

He saved the band in 1973, and has more or less been doing it ever since!

And...

...he ROCKS!

Gawd, I love Alan White! Upon whose mighty shoulders rests the foundation of this wonderful band.

Yup...he and Squire have definitely carried the torch since 1973. Nothing quite compares to that "rhythm section" known as Whitefish!!

My avatar shares in the love, wouldn't you say?