Alan White and Washington State University Had The Best Tribute To Yes

Alan White and Washington State University Had The Best Tribute To Yes | I Love Classic Rock Videos

YouTube / University of Washington Marching Band

Husky Marching Band

British progressive rock gods, Yes, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.  The band pushed the boundaries of the musical experience- in the studio and on stage. Their pioneering vision changed the course of experimental rock in the early 1970s forward. Yes combined psychedelic rock and classical music, forming rock suites that were complex and lengthy.

Since their inception, Yes has filled football stadiums from coast to coast in America. Before fans even knew they liked progressive rock, their minds were being blown to smithereens with hits like “Roundabout” and ” I’ve Seen All Good People.” The sounds of Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire, and Alan White most recently filled another great American football stadium… in Washington!

 

It is a tradition for Washington State University’s Husky Marching Band to pay tribute to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. The show started with songs by other Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees including Journey and Electric Light Orchestra. The songs led up to the arrival of Yes’ drummer/ songwriter Alan White.

The rock legend was rolled onto the field with his drum kit. He ultimately landed in the middle of the field- smack dab inside the choreographed Yes logo. Sounds wild but you just gotta see it to believe it.  The Husky Marching Band performed several Yes songs including “Roundabout.”

 

English progressive rock group Yes, United Kingdom, 1974. Left to right: guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White (standing), singer Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire and Swiss keyboard player Patrick Moraz. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

The WSU Husky Marching Band’s director, DR. J. Brad McDavid with Assistant Directors Doug Morin and Shayna Stahl created an intense audio-visual performance. Can’t imagine what it was like to hear and see it live!