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RIP Chris Squire - Yes bassist Chris Squire, Bassist for Rock Band Yes, Dies at 67Daniel Knighton—Getty Images He was the one constant member of the prog rock bandChris Squire, bassist and founding member of Yes, has died, a month after revealing hehad been diagnosed with leukemia. He was 67.
The band confirmed the news Sunday on its official Facebook page, writing: “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.”
Squire and singer Jon Anderson co-founded Yes in London in 1968, and although the band’s lineup shifted over the years, Squire was the one constant member, playing bass on all of Yes’ albums and performing with the band for almost 50 years.
In May, Squire announced that he had been diagnosed with acute erythroid leukemia and would consequently miss the band’s upcoming summer tour, marking the first time ever Yes would play a show without him. Billy Sherwood was to step in as bassist.
“This will be the first time since the band formed in 1968 that Yes will have performed live without me,” Squire said in a statement at the time. “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.”
Squire’s bandmate Geoffrey Downes first announced Squire’s death on Twitter.
[Edited 6/28/15 15:08pm] | |
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Sad to hear. Squire had some pretty friggin amazing bass lines. "Love & honesty, peace & harmony" | |
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He put out a CD with former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett a little while back You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton | |
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Sad news indeed and for me out of the blue .
As Squire had become the de facto leader of Yes since the early 80s, mainly due to being the only member not to leave under a cloud, as well as having a business brain and being one of the main composers of their music, I wonder where this leaves the long term future of the band.
Wouldn't be at all surprised to see the great Jon Anderson return to the fold now, as I believe there had been a rift between him and Squire in recent years. | |
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That sucks. Their song Sweetness is my favorite part of that Buffalo 66 movie, other than Christina Ricci . For all time I am with you, you are with me. | |
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