Alan White was born on June 14 1949 in Pelton, County Durham. Music ran in his family. His grandfather was a pianist and his uncle was a drummer. When he was seven the family moved to Ferryhill, County, Durham. Alan White was six year old when he began taking piano lessons. His uncle noticed that young Alan White played the piano as if it were a percussion instrument, and told his parents. When Alan White was twelve, his parents then gave him an Ajax drum kit for Christmas. Eventually his parents would buy him a large Ludwig drum kit.
Alan White was only thirteen when he joined his first band, The Downbeats, who largely played covers of such beat bands as The Beatles, The Searchers, and Gerry & The Pacemakers. In 1964 The Downbeats changed their name to The Blue Chips. As The Blue Chips they went to 'London where they competed in a talent contest. They won the contest, which included a monetary award, new equipment, and a recording contract. The Blue Chips released the singles "I'm on the Right Side," "Some Kind of Lovin'," and "Tell Her" in 1965 and 1966, but none of them charted. The Blue Chips soon broke up afterwards.
Alan White went onto play as part of Billy Fury's band The Gamblers. Afterwards he joined The Happy Magazine. The band released a few singles before being renamed Griffin. Grffin would record only one single before they broke up. Alan White also played with The Alan Price Set and appeared on their albums A Price on His Head and The Price is Right.
It was in 1969 that Alan White was invited by John Lennon to play with The Plastic Ono Band when performed at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival festival. He also appeared on John Lennon's single "Instant Karma" and on his album Imagine. He would later play on George Harrison's album All Things Must Pass and Radha Krsna Temple. He later worked with Denny Laine's band Bails and Ginger Baker's Air Force, as well as working with Steve Winwood and Terry Reid.
It was when Yes's drummer Bill Bruford left the band to join King Crimson that Alan White became Yes's drummer. He first appeared on Yes's album Yessongs and ultimately played on over forty Yes studio albums and live albums. He also co-wrote various Yes songs, including "Turn of the Century" from Going for the One; "Future Times" and "Release, Release" from Tormato; and "Changes," "Our Song," and "Hearts" from 90125. Ultimately, Alan White would become the longest standing member of Yes and the only member besides Chris Squire to have never left the band.
Alan White released only one solo album, Ramshackled in 1976. He appeared solo projects by fellow Yes members Chris Squire, Steve Howe, and Rick Wakeman. He also worked with Gary Wright, Jesse Davis, Donovan, Eddie Harris, and Johnny Harris.
Alan White was arguably one of the best drummers of his era. He had impeccable timing. What is more he was capable of a variety of drumming styles, insuring that he could play with artists as diverse as prog rockers Yes to jazz musician Eddie Harris. His versatility also allowed him to keep pace with Yes's changing styles over the years. When it came to drummers in progressive rock, Alan White was one of the best.
Andy Fletcher was born on July 8 1961 in Nottingham. His first two years of life were spent in Basildon before the family moved to Nottingham. It was in 1977 that Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke formed a band called No Romance in China. It was later in 1980 that Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke formed another band, this one called Composition of Sound. Vince Clarke played guitar and sang, while Andy Fletcher played bass. It would after Vince Clarke heard the band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark that Messrs. Clarke and Fletcher decided to shift to electronic music. Martin Gore then joined the band. Still later Dave Gahan joined Composition of Sound. It was Dave Gahan who suggested a new name for the band Depeche Mode. They are believed to have first played under that name at the James Hornsby School in Basildon.
Depeche Mode's first single, "Dreaming of Me," was released on Mute Records in 1981. It would be their second single, "New Life," that would be their first hit, peaking at no. 11 on the UK singles chart. With Martin Gore and Dave Gahan, Andy Fletcher would be one the three members of Depeche Mode who remained with the band from its beginning. While Messrs Gore and Gahan both wrote songs, Andy Fletcher's precise role in the band was a bit of a running joke. He once joked in a Rolling Stone interview, "Martin's the songwriter, Alan's the good musician, Dave's the vocalist, and I bum around." In truth, Andy Fletcher played an important role in Depeche Mode. Early on, he played bass and still later synth bass. Later he would play the synthesizer, using it both for music and sound effects. Also, since it was often the case that Depeche Mode did not have a manager, Andy Fletcher handle much of the band's business. He was also pivotal in settling disputes within the band. Quite simply, he was the glue that kept the band together.
In addition to his work with Depeche Mode, Andy Fletcher also founded his own label as an imprint of Mute Records, Toast Hawaii, in 2002. Whenever he was on hiatus from Depeche Mode, he sometimes played as a DJ at various clubs and festivals.
Many were often puzzled by Andy Fletcher's role in Depeche Mode. Some even pondered whether or not his keyboards were plugged in when he was on stage. Aside from handling the band's business, as mentioned above, Andy Fletcher was the glue that held the band together. And his bandmates adored him. In their official statement on this death, they said in part, "Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh, or a cold pint." Depeche Mode's fans, many of who actually met him, loved Andy Fletcher as well. He was known for being both down to earth and very approachable. He was often known to talk to fans and even offer them a cigarette. He was a true gentlemen, one in an industry not often known for gentlemen.
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