A Chat with Steve White (18.09.25)
Interview with Karen Beishuizen (Guest contributor)
Steve White is an English drummer who has worked extensively with Paul Weller and the Style Council. His brother Alan has worked with Oasis for 9 years as a drummer. We talk to Steve about his childhood, Style Council, Oasis, new projects, and more.
Did you always want to be a musician growing up?
White: Yes, there was never a doubt or anything I wanted to do other than play the drums and make music.
What age did you start playing drums, and who were your drumming heroes?
White: I was 8 or 9 when I really got drawn to drums when my dad gave me a copy of ‘Let There Be Drums’ by Sandy Nelson. I then discovered the holy trinity of Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson. I have never stepped away from that journey of discovering and listening to great drummers making music, from Philly Joe Jones to Tony Williams, Ginger Baker to Ringo.
How did you become the drummer for the Style Council? How did you meet Paul Weller?
White: I was doing any auditions I could, and a band I auditioned for decided I wasn’t right, but they went back to the label and mentioned me to Style Council A&R man Dennis Munday who called me for an audition.
You are the youngest drummer to have appeared at Live Aid in 1985. Looking back now, what kind of day was that? Must have been exciting!
White: It was an incredible day, the energy in the stadium was absolutely amazing! It’s easy to look back and be cynical about what it did or didn’t achieve, but at least musicians tried to do something.
You have played with the late great Jon Lord. What is your fondest memory of him?
White: Nothing but joy, respect and love for an absolutely wonderful man, an incredible musician and someone taken far too early. I completely loved my time with Jon and wished it could have gone on and on.
Your younger brother Alan was the drummer for Oasis from 1995-2004. Have you ever been to gigs, and were you an influence to him to start drumming too?
White: I saw the band many times when Alan was the drummer. I definitely hope I was an influence to him as a younger player. I have not seen any recent shows as no indication of being welcome was extended. I wish them well.
Are there any artists out there you would love to collaborate with or wish you had?
White: I would love to have worked with Kate Bush, Brian Auger. I love Khruangbin too.
I let you make an album with 7 of your favourite songs, where you can play drums. What songs would you pick and why?
- ‘Wuthering Heights’ – Kate Bush. A brilliant song by an extraordinary artist with absolutely consummate drumming by Stuart Elliot.
- ‘Cold Sweat’ – James Brown. With the genius of Clyde Stubblefield on drums.
- ‘Bugle Call Rag’ – Buddy Rich. I actually have played this tune live, all the hits and stabs with the brass. Fantastic!
- The Beatles. Absolutely anything, but ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ is incredible!
- ‘Killing Me Softly’ – Roberta Flack. I adore Roberta Flack and often use this track with students in the lesson that is titled “Less Is More”!
- ‘Sunshine of Your Love’ – Cream. I love Ginge’s playing. He featured in the Art of Drums documentary I presented. The man who puts the drums centre stage in rock!
- ‘Drummer Man’ – Nancy Sinatra feat. Hal Blaine. Great tune and a tribute to all of the unsung stars of the session scene: Hal Blaine, Earl Palmer, Jim Gordon, Jeff Porcaro, and Clem Cattini.
What are you currently up to?
White: My partner Chris Hague and I did our first TV job on a show called Cold Call in 2018. We then went on to do four series as Hague and White for the series Madame Blanc for C5/Acorn TV. This is now on Netflix, and we have just done the soundtrack for the Christmas 2025 special. I just played drums on the debut album for a fantastic singer called Lucca Mae, which hopefully will be out later this year. I am working with Chris Hague on a solo album, which I will be touring next year.
Thanks to Steve White for speaking with us. Find out more about Steve on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
