Alain Gordon Whyte (pronounced Alan) (born 3 July 1967) is an English musician, songwriter, composer and singer. He was Morrissey's main songwriting partner and guitarist between 1991 and 2007.[1]
Alain Whyte | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Alain Gordon Whyte |
Born | Camden, London, England | 3 July 1967
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Years active | 1991–present |
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Website | Myspace.com/AlainWhytemusic |
Prior to 1991, Whyte previously been in the bands Rugcutters, Red Lightning, Motivators, Born Bad and the Memphis Sinners.[2] More recently, he has written for Madonna, Chris Brown, and the Black Eyed Peas, and others. He won an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) pop award in 2013 for his work as a songwriter on Chris Brown's hit single "Don't Wake Me Up".[3]
Whyte joined Morrissey's band in 1991 after appearing in the music video for his single "Sing Your Life". While playing on the Kill Uncle tour in 1991, Whyte co-wrote eight of the ten songs on the album Your Arsenal which was released in 1992. Whyte played lead guitar live with Morrissey from 1991 to 2004 until he was taken ill and replaced by Jesse Tobias. Whyte never returned to the touring act, but he continued to play on Morrissey studio recordings through 2007, and compose music for Morrissey songs through 2009. Several Morrissey–Whyte compositions were released as late as 2009 after Whyte had left Morrissey's band. It was announced in 2021 that Whyte was working with Morrissey again. Whyte was part of Morrissey's band performing at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace from August 2021 to September 2021.[4] Whyte performed alongside Morrissey throughout 2022 and continues to tour with him into 2023.
Whyte has co-written and/or performed on all of Morrissey's albums issued between 1992 and 2009: Your Arsenal (1992), Vauxhall and I (1994), Southpaw Grammar (1995), Maladjusted (1997), You Are the Quarry (2004), Ringleader of the Tormentors (2006), and Years of Refusal (2009).
Whyte returned to co-write and perform on Without Music the World Dies (2023). As of Without Music the World Dies, Alain Whyte has a total of 84 known songwriting credits with Morrissey.
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Whyte resides in Los Angeles, California. His name is pronounced in the English style, i.e. as if it were "Alan White".
† Written by Whyte
As of Without Music the World Dies, Whyte has 84 known songwriting credits with Morrissey. Whyte's credits include: