The bass guitarist of pioneering prog-rock band Yes has died at the age of 67. Chris Squire passed away just over a month after revealing he was suffering with Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL).
The band posted the following message to fans via Facebook:
‘It’s with the heaviest of hearts and unbearable sadness that we must inform you of the passing of our dear friend and Yes co-founder, Chris Squire. Chris peacefully passed away last night in Phoenix Arizona.’
Yes were formed in 1968 when singer Jon Anderson met self-taught bassist Squire in London. Finding international success a year later when they signed to Atlantic Records after opening for Janis Joplin at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Their debut single, ‘Sweetness’, and first album, Yes, were released later that year.
The band’s current keyboard player, Geoffrey Downes, tweeted: ‘Utterly devastated beyond words to have to report the sad news of the passing of my dear friend, bandmate and inspiration Chris Squire.’
Always considered by his bandmates as the glue that held Yes together, Squire was also revered as a musician’s musician with tributes pouring in for him on social media. Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello wrote ‘RIP Chris Squire, super bassist of Yes. An extremely talented musician’s musician who mastered his instrument and took it to new realms.’
The band posted on their official website to say they would have more information for fans soon, adding: ‘Thank you for all your heartfelt tributes on Facebook and Twitter.’
