Chris Squire Dead: Founding Yes Member Succumbs To Leukemia


Chris Squire has died after months of suffering from a rare type of leukemia. The news was first revealed by Squire’s former bandmate, Geoffery Downes, via his personal Twitter account.

Among the first to express grievances about Chris’ death were his former bandmates, who posted a statement to their official Facebook account. The post about Squire’s passing was later edited but originally appeared with the following praise of not only Chris’ contribution to Yes, but to the music world in general.

“For the entirety of Yes’ existence, [Squire] 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. [Squire] 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.”

Rolling Stone reported that Squire had previously backed out of live performances alongside the band Toto in May, so that he could focus on his fight against acute erythroid leukemia.

“This will be the first time since the band formed in 1968 that Yes will have performed live without me. But the other guys and myself have agreed that Billy Sherwood will do an excellent job of covering my parts and the show as a whole will deliver the same Yes experience that our fans have come to expect over the years.”

Chris had been a part of the band since its formation in 1968 and the subsequent release of their self-titled debut album the following year. With Squire serving as bass player, The Yes Album and Fragile, both released in 1971, brought the band their breakthrough successes. Both albums are now certified platinum, though it was the group’s following release, Close To The Edge, that is most often considered their biggest hit, both critically and commercially.

Chris Squire’s death can be commemorated by listening to some of Yes’ biggest hits, many of which Chris played a co-writing role in bringing to life — including “Heart of the Sunrise,” “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” “Starship Trooper,” and “Yours Is No Disgrace.”

[Image via Dave Kotinsky / Getty Images]

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