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Artist News: Yes' Chris Squire Passes Away

Posted on Sunday, June 28 @ 10:18:58 UTC by nightowl

It is a sad day in the progressive music world. Yes bassist and founding member Chris Squire passed away Saturday night. Here is the band's official posting to their Facebook page, sharing the sad news.

"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.

"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.

"Outside of Yes, Chris was a loving husband to Scotty and father to Carmen, Chandrika, Camille, Cameron, and Xilan. With his gentle, easy-going 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."

In May, Squire had been diagnosed with Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), an uncommon form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), for which he was seeking treatment. Although at the time, Billy Sherwood would cover bass duties for the band's North American tour this summer with Toto, and their scheduled Cruise to the Edge appearance in November, it is too soon to say whether those plans remain or if the band will take a short hiatus. As of this writing, nothing has been said in either way from the Yes camp (that we've noticed), so call it editorial speculation.

[Source: Yes via Facebook; photo: © Yes]

Posted in Band News (tours, comings/goings, etc)