Alan White
Alan White is best known as the drummer for the legendary English progressive rock band Yes. But his career was much more than that. Before his days with Yes, Alan contributed his groove to recordings by John Lennon, George Harrison, Gary Wright, Joe Cocker, and others. His recordings outside of …
Excerpted from the February/March 1980 issue Yes is one of the few bands who combine exploration of musical art forms with the vitality of rock music. Their arrangements are impeccable and their playing skills, superb. What’s more, those guys can cook! Alan White is the man who keeps the band …
As we honor Charlie Watts in this special tribute issue, we wanted to take a look back at how some other drummers accomplished what Watts did so brilliantly—which was create parts and arrangements that enhanced the song. A lot of drummers have discussed composition, production, and collaboration—as well as creating …
You can’t blame Alan White of Yes for smiling. It’s a lazy sort of grin, to be sure.
As the drummer for the popular British rock group Yes, Alan White has many definite ideas concerning the position of the drummer within a rock band. White talks about the importance of the bass drum, the studios and writing for the drums.
Brad Wilk, Joe Morello, Atom Willard, Gene Hoglan, Tony Williams, Bun E. Carlos, Frank Katz, Michael Bland, Keith Carlock, Mark O’Connell, LaFrae Sci, Flo Mounier, Shawn Pelton, Phil Collins, Danny Carey, Nicko McBrain, Alan White, Peter Erskine
Abe Laboriel Jr., Robby Ameen, Rashied Ali, Dave Weckl, Rick Allen, Kris Kohls, Jon Fishman, Ben Mize, Steve Houghton, Louie Appel, Alan White, Lionel Hampton, Ringo Starr, Travis Barker, Danny Carey, Nicko McBrain, Rocky Bryant
Mike Portnoy, Lil’ John Roberts, Roy Hanes, Dave Lombardo, Bobby Rondinelli, Brendan Buckley, Chad Gracey, Paul Wertico, Alan White, Andy Kubiszewski, Fabrizio Moretti, Jimmy Chamberlin, Charlie Benante, Russ Miller
Dave Weckl, Ginger Fish, Max Roach, Virgil Donati, Han Bennink, Zakir Hussain, Jack Gavin, Kevin Miller, Scott Rockenfield, Jon Christensen, Mark Zonder, Carlomango Araya, Paul Clarvis, Ron Spagnardi, Ed Breckenfeld, John Riley, Jennie Hoeft, Michael Miller, T. Bruce Wittet, Jeff Hamilton, Alan White, Zach Danziger
Taylor Hawkins, Milford Graves, Jimmy DeGrasso, Elaine Leighton, Jerome Dillon, Alan White, David Garibaldi, Steven Gillis, Ralph Peterson, Brian “Brain” Mantia, Nathaniel Townsley, Peter Erskine, Manu Katche, Milt Jackson, Bill Stewart
Dennis Chambers, Tony Royster Jr., Matthew Cross, Jaki Liebezeit, Johnny Kelly, Chad Taylor, Martina Axen, Gregg Bissonette, Omar Hakim, Alan White, Shelly Manne, Peter Erskine, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Chick Webb, Steve Gadd, Ringo Starr, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, John Bonham
In this Issue: Phil Rudd, Alan White, Dave Rowntree, Phil Selway, Virgil Donati, Cesar Zuiderwijk, Rene Creemers, Mark Mondesir, Paul Lytton, Fredy Studer, Allan Holdsworth, Paco Sery, Reinhard Flatischler, Nelson Miller, Atsuko Yamano, Pierre Favre, Peter Erskine, Dave Abbruzzese
In this Issue: Richie Hayward, Steve Smith, Peter Erskine, Stephen Perkins, Mike Portnoy, Gregg Bissonette, Kenwood Dennard, Rayford Griffin, Alan White, Fergal Lawler
Ed Shaughnessy, Don Baldwin, Ted McKenna, Ray McKinley, Alan White, John Stacey, Pete Magadini, Philly Joe Jones, Jerome Cooper, Cliff Leeman, Billy Amendola, Louie Bellson, Steve Smith, Alan Gratzer, Gerry Brown
Alan White, Nick Mason, Shelley Manne, Ollie Brown, Jimmy Bralower, Ed McClary, Frankie Banali, Carl Palmer, Rod Morgenstein, Eric Carr, Phil Collins
Horacee Arnold, Billy Hart, Freddie Watts, Alan White, Dave Mattacks, Roberta Crain, Keith Moon, Stanley Spector, Peter Magadini, Andy Newmark, Duffy Jackson, Joe Cocuzzo, Chuck Hughes
Posted: February 3, 2023
2023 Jazz Fest Music Lineup Announced!
Dead & Company, Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Santana, Jon Batiste, Jill Scott, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Kane Brown, H.E.R., Steve Miller Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gary Clark Jr., Leon Bridges, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Plus Hundreds More! To Appear at the 2023 New Orleans …
Posted: September 28, 2022
Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
By Alex Kluft Photo by Andreas Neumann On March 25, 2022, the world lost one the greatest drummers and member of one of the most important and biggest rock bands of all time, Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters. To honor Hawkins, Dave Grohl put together two of the biggest …
Posted: July 11, 2022
Introducing dB One Heads & Cymbals from Evans Drumheads
EVANS Drumheads, the most technologically advanced drumheads on earth, is introducing a revolutionary new suite of products, dB reduced volume drumheads and cymbals. The dB product suite includes dB Zero, a rebrand of the popular SoundOff mesh drumheads, and the introduction of dB One Drumheads and Cymbals. Drummers now have …
Posted: October 23, 2020
Rajiv Jayaweera Draws From Sri Lankan Heritage on Debut Album, Pistils
It’s atypical for a drummer-led debut to open with a contemplative, rubato tune shaded by hushed, minimal brushwork. But jazz drummer/composer Rajiv Jayaweera favors attention to sound and ensemble voice over bluster. On Pistils (Outside in Music), Jayaweera’s superb touch yields dancing interplay and dramatic dynamics, calling to mind Paul …
Posted: November 14, 2019
Ron Wikso of Gregg Rolie
Hello Modern Drummer “On The Beat” readers! I’m just checking in with a little update and to say a quick hello to the most awesome drumming community in the world!
Posted: April 19, 2018
On The Beat with Manny Elias of Tears for Fears and Gregory Darling: Talks New Albums
A massive hello to all you MD readers, Manny Elias here and it’s great to chat with you again! As some of you may remember I’m the original drummer from Tears For Fears (The Hurting and Songs From The Big Chair).
Posted: August 3, 2017
Yes Kicks Off Yestival Tour
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Yes and drummer Alan White announce that Dylan Howe, son of guitarist Steve Howe, will be joining the band’s rhythm section on this summer’s North American Yestival tour. Dylan Howe “It’s a pleasure for me to welcome Dylan Howe to the Yes stage,” …
Posted: March 6, 2017
Nick Zamora On Tour With the Suffers
Drummer Nick Zamora’s driving feel, blazing yet apt chops, and Motown-inspired grooves are supporting the Houston, Texas, soul collective the Suffers on their current March tour. Since forming in 2011, the ten-member group has enjoyed a steady rise in popularity, thanks in part to television appearances on such shows as …
Posted: November 15, 2016
On the Beat with Rob Mitzner: Talks Jann Klose, Action Moves People United
Hello, Modern Drummer readers. I’ve had a lot of incredible musical experiences since I last wrote you two years ago, including recording drums and Irish percussion for the Broadway show “Outside Mullingar”, and fulfilling my lifelong dream of performing at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Posted: November 15, 2016
On the Beat with Rob Mitzner: Talks Jann Klose, Action Moves People United
Hello, Modern Drummer readers. I’ve had a lot of incredible musical experiences since I last wrote you two years ago, including recording drums and Irish percussion for the Broadway show “Outside Mullingar”, and fulfilling my lifelong dream of performing at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Posted: July 29, 2016
Backbeats – Woodstick Groove 2016
This past April, Groove Music for Youth and the Emerald Queen Casino held their annual nonprofit drumming charity event, Woodstick Groove, in Tacoma, Washington. Check out our highlight reel of the event below!
Posted: February 19, 2016
A Different View: Gary Clark Jr.
Gary Clark Jr. By Frank Maddocks by Will Romano The last time I talked with Gary Clark Jr., it was over a decade ago and he was fitting a harp into a harmonica rack at Antone’s blues club, in Austin, Texas, where I was doing research. Gary was quiet …
Posted: December 3, 2015
Seven Four-Piece Shell Packs for Under $400
In this second installment of our 2015 holiday gift guide, we’re taking a look at some great four-piece shell packs for under $400. All but one kit still requires hardware, cymbals, and a throne. However, they each offer plenty of bang for the buck, featuring solid construction and reliable tone, …
Posted: November 2, 2015
Dom Famularo’s Teachers List
Over the course of his forty-year career traveling the globe to teach, perform, and conduct clinics, Dom Famularo has interacted with some of the finest drummers and drum instructors in the world. The following list contains many of those names, organized by country/continent. If you’re looking for top-notch drum instruction, …
Posted: August 14, 2015
On the Beat With Donn Garrett: Brilliant Mis-takes Made by Donn Garrett and Friends
What began as a water tank replacement in trade for studio time became a lasting relationship between London Bridge Studios and myself. At first, it was uncertain how many sessions there would be so I figured why not throw down some chops….
Posted: July 13, 2015
On the Beat With Alan Balamut of Rivers of Nihil
I started drumming at the age of fifteen and got instantly hooked. I practiced non-stop striving to learn the fundamentals of drumming. As time went by I got more interested in extreme drumming. I found it fascinating and my goal was to work my way into playing that style…
Posted: April 10, 2015
Drummer Blog: Translator’s Dave Scheff Talks Past Influences and Upcoming Shows
Though I’ve drummed my way across the spectrum, with acts as disparate as comedian Jerry Van Dyke, icon Joan Baez, and Dead Kennedys, my one true musical love has always been the band I started with Steve Barton, the ’80s cult fave Translator….
Posted: February 27, 2015
News: “World’s Greatest Drummer??? Concert to Feature Steve Gadd
The World’s Greatest Drummer Concert returns on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at the Derngate Theatre in Northampton, UK. Since the first concert in 2007, the event has featured some of the finest drummers alive….
Posted: November 4, 2014
Showroom: Shure Adds Four Headphone Models to the SRH Line
Shure has added three entry-level products to its line of SRH headphones, the SRH144, SRH145, and the SRH145m+, which comes with a remote and a mic. Shure also introduced the SE112m+ sound-isolating earphones with remote and mic, which combine the fixed-cable design of the SE112 sound-isolating earphones with an inline …
Posted: October 14, 2014
The Essence of Progressive Drumming
What is the rhythmic essence of progressive music? What makes prog so different from other genres? Does it require a specific skill set on the drumkit, or does the nature of the music make it open to interpretation? MD posed these and other questions to the drummers in Spock’s Beard, …
Posted: July 30, 2014
Protect your hearing! Check out Direct Sound Extreme Isolation headphones.
Made in the USA, Direct Sound Extreme Isolation headphones are comfortable and provide two levels of hearing protection….
Posted: June 17, 2014
New Sticks, Marching Mallets, and Pads From Ahead!
Ahead’s new signature stick models include the 16.25″ Phil Rudd (AC/DC) Super 5A, the 16″ Lucky Lehrer Speed Stick, and the 17″ Carlos Figeroa. The drumsticks feature ergonomically tuned handle diameters and a precision alloy core for negligible weight and balance variations….
Posted: December 25, 2013
Jason Aldean’s Rich Redmond
Hello MD readers! It has been some time since we last visited here. I am still enjoying life in Nashville, juggling touring, recording, producing, writing, and teaching. I love this life we live as modern drummers!
Posted: November 1, 2013
December 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer Featuring George “Spanky” McCurdy
(on newsstands November 5, 2013) On the Cover George “Spanky” McCurdy “I’m always aware of what the fans need and what the artist is trying to do. If I’m coming in, it’s time to go higher, time to upgrade.” Lady Gaga’s drummer doesn’t mince words—but why be shy when you’ve …
Posted: September 26, 2013
November 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer Featuring Ray Luzier
See what’s in the November 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Ray Luzier!
Posted: September 9, 2013
Modern Drummer and Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy Camp to Host “Rock’s Rhythm Masters??? Camp November 8–10 in Las Vegas
In an effort to add camps that are shorter in duration and more affordably priced for every musician to experience, Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy Camp is proud to announce Rock’s Rhythm Masters, powered by Modern Drummer magazine. This session will take place November 8 through 10 at the camp’s facility …
Posted: July 18, 2013
MD Education Team Weighs In On: Tuning (UPDATED)
We asked the members of the MD Education Team to share their thoughts on how they prefer to tune their drums. Here’s what they had to say….
Posted: July 10, 2013
Piers Hewitt of the Boxer Rebellion
Hello, Modern Drummer people. I am Piers Hewitt, and I play in a London-based band called the Boxer Rebellion.
Posted: March 20, 2013
Electronic Insights: Minimal Miking Techniques
Click here to check out an article on minimal miking techniques for achieving a natural drum sound.
Posted: July 23, 2012
20 CLASSIC PROG ALBUMS
Odd times, intergalactic themes, and more tom-toms. Rock drumming gets interesting….
Posted: June 26, 2012
Zildjian 21″ A Custom 20th Anniversary Ride and 13″ Pocket Hi-Hats
The Avedis Zildjian Company celebrates the twentieth anniversary of its A Custom cymbal line with the launch of a new 21″ Anniversary ride, available in 2012 only.
Posted: March 19, 2012
Tim Walsh of the Stepkids
I’m Tim Walsh of the Stepkids, and I’m excited to be on here and hope to add to the wealth of knowledge that is MD’s awesome thirty-five-year history…
Posted: January 20, 2012
25 Great Double-Drumming Tracks
Two drummers working it out, face to face—trading licks, contributing to a massive groove, spurring each other on—it’s one of the great musical traditions, and surely it goes back to the very invention of the drumkit at the beginning of the last century. This group of tunes focuses on tracks …
Posted: March 17, 2011
Yes’s Alan White: Revisited
We revisit a 2005 interview featuring memories of George Harrison, John Lennon, and Yes. As Yes continues their world tour – featuring the return of keyboardist Rick Wakeman, signifying the reborn “classic??? lineup – the band simply gets hotter and hotter. Drummer Alan White recently sat down with Modern Drummer, …
Posted: February 28, 2011
Steve Moore Checks Back In With MD
Hi everyone in MD land! Last year I had a video on YouTube titled “This Drummer Is At The Wrong Gig.??? I had struggled my entire life, when out of nowhere the video went viral. Within weeks my life had completely changed, and I was suddenly getting showered with the …
Posted: November 23, 2010
Richie Hayward: The MD Interviews, Part 2
Interview by Robyn FlansRead the Little Feat drummer’s cover feature from October 1995. MD: You have a unique playing style with Little Feat. Can you describe that style and where it came from? Richie: My style has grown with the band. It started out heavily influenced by blues, rock ’n’ …
Posted: October 28, 2010
Producer/Drummer Anthony J. Resta
Sonic Exploration With Unusual Recording Methods For DrumsetHello, MD readers, my name is Anthony J. Resta. Most of the time I go by AJ or aJaX. This is my first blog for Modern Drummer, and it’s probably a little left of center, mostly because that’s quite often my approach to …
Posted: May 18, 2009
Ira Elliot: Nada Surf’s Vinyl Obsessive Gets Personal With MD
My own little record store, containing only albums I still like after twenty-five years–that’s suddenly what all my records look like splayed out across my room.
Posted: January 12, 2009
Great Drum Parts = GENIUS
The March issue of MD (out now) features Billy Ward’s fascinating conversation with Simon Phillips, Doane Perry, Marco Minnemann, Thomas Lang, and Jerry Marotta about the grooves that inspired them to play drums early on, and that continue to today. It seemed to make perfect sense for MD’s editors to …
Posted: April 8, 2008
Michael Mignano of The Canon Logic
My name is Michael Mignano, and I play drums for the Brooklyn-based band The Canon Logic….
Posted: March 31, 2008
Doane Perry
So many notes. Big notes, small ones, LOUD ones, and very quiet little guys. Fast flurries, slow ones, legato passages, and staccato accents, all living side by side in relative, undisturbed harmony and alternating discord….
Posted: February 4, 2008
Dom Famularo
2007 was another jammed year of traveling. Fifteen countries, and many of them more than once! Here are some highlights….
Posted: January 16, 2008
Best Of ’07
I’m convinced that, ten years from now, we’re going to look back at 2007 as an unusually fertile time in music and in drumming.
Posted: October 19, 2007
Reviews from MD Managing Editor Adam Budofsky
MD managing editor Adam B here again, sharing some of releases on high-rotation in the Budofsky home—and car—and office—and gym. That’s right, the music never stops, and this week I’ve been obsessing on some old-school and old-world sounds….
Posted: August 16, 2007
Mike Portnoy: In Constant “Progressive” Motion
Mike Portnoy may very well be the hardest-working drummer in the business. His recent three-DVD set, In Constant Motion, speaks for itself. The undisputed king of progressive metal never sleeps!
Posted: June 21, 2007
Kit Of The Month: A Do-It-Yourself Adventure
Thomas Given’s Collage Kit appeared in the Kit Of The Month department of the August ’07 MD. Here’s his full report on the creation of this unusual kit, along with a bevy of photos illustrating the project.
Posted: November 16, 2006
The Who’s Zak Starkey: Channeling Keith-And More
As the forty-year-old son of Ringo Starr, most would think that Zak Starkey had been handed stardom on a silver platter. He plays drums with two of the most popular bands in the world, names the late, great Keith Moon as one of his best childhood friends, and is so …
Posted: August 1, 2006
Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp 2006
I’ll start by saying, What an amazing five days I recently had—Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp promoter David Fishof is a genius! This past August 13–17, I was invited to the sixth Camp in New York City; my second as a guest and my first as a Battle Of The …
Posted: February 1, 2006
The Fab Faux’s Rich Pagano
New York City drummer Rich Pagano is way more than just a member of the hippest Beatle cover band you’ll ever hear. He’s also an accomplished singer and producer. As we journey through Rich’s MD Online interview, we’ll learn that not only does he do a stellar job of providing …
Posted: May 19, 2005
Ned Brower of Rooney
I saw the California-based pop band Rooney perform live before I was familiar with their music. Besides featuring some very powerful, tasteful drumming, I found them to be extremely melodic, with hooks that stuck in my head for days after the show….
Posted: May 19, 2005
Chris Cester of Jet
The band Jet has released what many consider to be one of the best rock records of the year, Get Born, which features the hit single (and Apple iPod anthem) “Are You Gonna Be My Girl.” MD Online recently had the opportunity to speak with drummer Chris Cester on one …
Posted: May 18, 2005
Alan White
As Yes continues their world tour – featuring the return of keyboardist Rick Wakeman, signifying the reborn “classic” lineup – the band simply gets hotter and hotter. Drummer Alan White recently sat down with Modern Drummer, inaugurating the magazine’s brand-new Playback column, in which the world’s greatest players reflect on …
Posted: May 12, 2004
Billy Kilson
At a 1999 Birdland performance with The Dave Holland Quintet, Billy Kilson led band and audience in a rousing chorus of drum worship. Holland, one of jazz’s most celebrated bassists and composers, has played with all the innovators, from Tony and Elvin to Jack DeJohnette and Billy Higgins. So you …
Posted: March 15, 2002
Alan White: Yes Magnified
“Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, and I wrote all of the material in the studio,” explains drummer Alan White of Yes about their recent album, Magnification.
