Bass player, co-founder of prog-rock band Yes
NEW YORK — Chris Squire, the bassist and co-founder of the progressive rock band Yes who recently announced he had leukemia, has died, according to a statement from his bandmates Sunday. He was 67.
The band posted a statement on its Facebook page saying Squire “peacefully passed away” Saturday in Phoenix, where he lived. No more details about the death were provided.
Squire announced last month that he had acute erythroid leukemia, a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia. He was receiving treatment before he died.
“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,” said the statement from Alan White, Steve Howe, Jon Davison and Geoff Downes.
Squire was born in London. He co-founded the band with its former lead singer, Jon Anderson, and the group released its self-titled debut album in 1969. Yes, however, really struck big with its second two albums, 1971’s “The Yes Album” and 1972’s “Fragile.”
Squire was the only member to play on all of Yes’ albums.
“For the entirety of Yes’ existence, Chris was the band’s linchpin and, in so many ways, the glue that held it together over all these years,” the band’s statement read. “Because of his phenomenal bassplaying prowess, Chris influenced countless bassists around the world, including many of today’s well-known artists.”
Squire, a talented and dominant bass guitarist, was one of the leaders of progressive rock in the 1970s. His website says he was a choirboy in his youth, which set the foundation for his musical talents.
Yes released the album “Heaven & Earth” last year. The Grammy-winning band’s hits include “Roundabout” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” which became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard pop charts in the 1980s. The group will launch a U.S. tour with Toto in August, when Billy Sherwood will fill in for Squire. When Squire revealed his diagnosis in May, he said it would prevent him from touring and noted it would be the band’s first time playing live without him since its inception.
Squire is survived by his wife, Scotland, and several children.