Founder of Yes and renowned bass guitarist Chris Squire dies

Fellow band members issue heartfelt tribute, saying he was a part of their family as well as their friend

Chris Squire, co-founder of prog-rock band Yes and renowned bass guitarist, has died aged 67.

Squire, who formed Yes with singer Jon Anderson in 1968, had been undergoing treatment for acute erythroid leukemia (a rare cancer of the blood and bone marrow) in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona.

In a statement released on Sunday, fellow Yes band members described Squire as a phenomenal bassist and the “linchpin” that held the group together.

“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,” the band said.

“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. Because of his phenomenal bass-playing prowess, Chris influenced countless bassists around the world, including many of today’s well-known artists. Chris was also a fantastic songwriter, having written and co-written much of Yes’ most endearing music, as well as his solo album, Fish Out of Water.”

“With his gentle, easygoing nature, Chris was a great friend of many … including each of us. But he wasn’t merely our friend: he was also part of our family and we shall forever love and miss him.”

Among those paying tributes to Squire was Scott Shriner, bass player in Weezer,who wrote: “There are a handful of bassists that changed my life and the way I play music.” Geezer Butler, founding member of Black Sabbath, also tweeted: “Shocked to hear of the passing of Chris Squire, one of the great bass players.”

Fellow band member Geoffrey Downes wrote on Twitter that he was “utterly devastated beyond words”, and described Squire as “my dear friend, bandmate and inspiration”.

In addition to his work in Yes, Squire also released the solo album Fish Out of Water in 1975 and was a member of the supergroup XYZ, where he played alongside Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Yes drummer Alan White.

He leaves behind a wife and family. The band said in their statement: “Chris was a loving husband to Scotty and father to Carmen, Chandrika, Camille, Cameron, and Xilan.”

Via The Guardian