Jay Schellen to step in for Alan White for Yes on USA tour

**chescorph** · 07-18-2016

Here's wishing the best to Alan, a great drummer and person.

**Dave (in MA)** · 07-18-2016

When he gets better, let's have another Levin Torn White. They've just been lapped by Levin Minnemann Rudess.

**chescorph** · 07-18-2016

Plays more like Bruford than White:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlin5QBEjq8

**Steve983** · 07-19-2016

Get well soon Alan, long live Yes.

**Jay.Dee** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by Frumious B

Maybe ARW should try to poach White...

No, ARW should get rid of Rabin first, who belongs to the current incarnation of YES. Only Trevor can revive YES at this point, and he allegedly wants to play in a genuine band again, not a project.

Instead Anderson and Wakeman should poach Howe (and Bruford). Only having Rabin, Sherwood and Downes engaged elsewhere (in YES that is), Anderson & Co may come up with something substantially better than ABWH or Union...

**tozo** · 07-19-2016

While sympathetic to AW's back issues, I'm disappointed they held back this information to a week before the tour starts.

**yamishogun** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by Jay.Dee

No, ARW should get rid of Rabin first, who belongs to the current incarnation of YES. Only Trevor can revive YES at this point, and he allegedly wants to play in a genuine band again, not a project.

I don't want to exploit my friendship of my bar mate Trev, so I won't reveal anything here, but doesn't it seem like with the non-release of an ARW that a lot is in flux? Just a guess, but I think ARW knows that it might be better to hold off on the album to maybe add certain musicians, get another label, and, um,... call it something like "Yes" etc.

It seems now that ARW is a warm-up to a reunion, but i'll know more in August when Trev and I have a couple more pints together.

**dregsfan** · 07-19-2016

Would love to see Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard, Big Big Train) fill the seat. He's a great drummer, plus he can help with the high harmonies.

**miamiscot** · 07-19-2016

I love Alan but - let's be honest - he's having trouble keeping up. This is a blessing in disguise. Looking forward to seeing Yes in eight days.

Get well soon, Mr. White.

**JKL2000** · 07-19-2016

Was it Caravan that physically helped their drummer onstage, because it was important to him and them? I hope Alan feels better after his surgery and recuperation. To me, helping enable him to play as long as possible is more important than Yes sounding like they've never aged at all. We'll always have the albums.

**2steves** · 07-19-2016

Not a total mindless fanboy---so it matters a lot who is in Yes----and this has become a joke at this point----Love Alan but this is a watered down joke at this point. And to see the greatest prog band turn into a sherwood band is laughable. Howe needs to get back with Jon and Rick---I'll let Trevor play bass lol

**Jubal** · 07-19-2016

Well, he has worked with several Yes members (and semi-members) in the past. Peter Banks, Tony Kaye, Chris Squire, Billy Sherwood, and Geoff Downes.
Apparently. he is considered a solid drummer that has done some Prog projects.

I'm sad to hear about Alan. He made a huge contribution to Yes over many years. Unfortunately, when the back goes at that age, it's very difficult do do something as strenuous as playing for Yes.

**bondegezou** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by tozo

While sympathetic to AW's back issues, I'm disappointed they held back this information to a week before the tour starts.

They may not have known themselves until recently. Maybe White had the surgery in mid-June and thought he'd be repaired by now, and it's only just become apparent that he won't. Or maybe he went into surgery at short notice. I don't know.

I note also that Yes and King Crimson are once again the same boat: touring with a stand-in drummer for health reasons, and indeed a stand-in drummer who's worked with Chris Squire. Another band who famously toured with a stand-in drummer for health reasons was The Beatles, with Jimmie Nicol in 1964.

Henry

**Man In The Mountain** · 07-19-2016

Howe is it that Steve Howe never seems to have health problems?

Must be the Sweet Caroline he's been smokin'.

**Mister Triscuits** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by JKL2000

Was it Caravan that physically helped their drummer onstage, because it was important to him and them?

The Stranglers and Iron Butterfly both have original drummers who are still officially band members but are too old and infirm for live gigs, so the bands use substitutes onstage.

**Koreabruce** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by Man In The Mountain

Howe is it that Steve Howe never seems to have health problems?

Must be the Sweet Caroline he's been smokin'.

40 + years of macrobiotic diet?

**Facelift** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by 2steves

Not a total mindless fanboy---so it matters a lot who is in Yes----and this has become a joke at this point----Love Alan but this is a watered down joke at this point. And to see the greatest prog band turn into a sherwood band is laughable. Howe needs to get back with Jon and Rick---I'll let Trevor play bass lol

I don't consider the band itself to be a joke, just the idea that this somehow is legitimately "Yes."

Looking forward to hearing how ARW's performances fill this void.

**syncopatico** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by Man In The Mountain

Howe is it that Steve Howe never seems to have health problems?

Must be the Sweet Caroline he's been smokin'.

that, and he doesn't eat animals = good Karma

**bondegezou** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by Facelift

I don't consider the band itself to be a joke, just the idea that this somehow is legitimately "Yes."

Have we discussed what you think about Soft Machine and Gong?

Henry

**Supersonic Scientist** · 07-19-2016

Although true that Alan's drum abilities have measurable waned these past years and that I have be quite vocal about the need to replace him, I hope for nothing less than a complete and speedy recovery for Mr. White.

...wow, YES, down to only ONE member from either of the "classic" line-ups. (JA, CS, BB, SH, RW) or (JA, CS, AW, SH, RW)

**dpt3** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by dregsfan

Would love to see Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard, Big Big Train) fill the seat. He's a great drummer, plus he can help with the high harmonies.

I'd be up for this, as long as it doesn't interfere with BBT!

Actually someone who would be really cool is Jonathan Schang of D97. Bruford is apparently a big fan, though it'd be weird to see him up there with all those old guys!

**Facelift** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by bondegezou

Have we discussed what you think about Soft Machine and Gong?

Henry

What other bands are doing have no bearing on whether or not the current lineup of Yes is legitimate.

However, if you want my opinion about Soft Machine, it is that they should not have dropped the "Legacy" addendum, because that's exactly what they are.

As far as Gong goes, I have no idea what they are doing these days - I don't follow them. Since Daevid Allen is gone, it's not likely I'd be too impressed with their authenticity.

**Wounded Land** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by bondegezou

PS: Although my choice for next permanent Yes drummer remains Dylan Howe... I wonder if they asked him about this gig?

Have you heard his album of all Bowie covers? It's excellent...

**bondegezou** · 07-19-2016

Originally Posted by Facelift

What other bands are doing have no bearing on whether or not the current lineup of Yes is legitimate.

However, if you want my opinion about Soft Machine, it is that they should not have dropped the "Legacy" addendum, because that's exactly what they are.

As far as Gong goes, I have no idea what they are doing these days - I don't follow them. Since Daevid Allen is gone, it's not likely I'd be too impressed with their authenticity.

Everything is contextual. What other bands do provides useful context. So thanks for humouring me with answers.

Henry