YES Bassist Chris Squire Dies Aged 67
June 27th, 2015
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Chris Squire, bassist, backing vocalist, and founding member of English progressive rock group Yes, died on June 28th, 2015 at the age of 67 following a battle with acute erythroid leukaemia (AEL), an uncommon form of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Squire had been receiving treatment in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona since being diagnosed with the disease in May of the same year.
Yes issued the following statement: “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, in the arms of his loving wife Scotty.
“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.”
Former Yes vocalist Jon Anderson shared the following words, meanwhile: “Chris was a very special part of my life; we were musical brothers. He was an amazingly unique bass player – very poetic – and had a wonderful knowledge of harmony. We met at a certain time when music was very open, and I feel blessed to have created some wonderful, adventurous, music with him. Chris had such a great sense of humour… he always said he was Darth Vader to my Obiwan. I always thought of him as Christopher Robin to my Winnie the Pooh.
“We travelled a road less travelled and I’m so thankful that he climbed the musical mountains with me. Throughout everything, he was still my brother, and I’m so glad we were able to reconnect recently. I saw him in my meditation last night, and he was radiant. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.”
And erstwhile Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman supplied the following quote: “Thanks for your life Chris. You may be gone but the music lives on for ever. You’ve personally left me with great memories and great music.”
Christopher Russell Edward Squire was born on March 4th, 1948 in Kingsbury, a suburb of northwest London, England. His father’s occupation was a cab driver, while his mother was a housewife. As a young boy, Squire was trained in the St. Andrew’s church choir, singing in the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School choir as well.
Squire’s first musical groups included The Selfs, The Syn, and Mabel Greer’s Toyshop.
Yes formed in 1968 following a meeting between vocalist Jon Anderson and self-taught bassist Squire at a London music industry bar. Guitarist Peter Banks, keyboardist Tony Kaye, and drummer Bill Bruford rounded out the line-up, although more prominent alumni in guitarist Steve Howe and keyboardist Rick Wakeman replaced the latter pair in 1970 and 1971 respectively. A self-titled full-length arrived in 1969, Squire performing on that debut jaunt. In addition, Squire performed on all of Yes’ 21 full-length albums, including Fragile (1971), Close To The Edge (1972), Going For The One (1977), and 90125 (1983), the latter boasting Billboard Hot 100 number one single ‘Owner Of A Lonely Heart’. As well as co-writing the latter track, Squire co-penned the likes of ‘I’ve Seen All Good People’, ‘Starship Trooper’, ‘Yours Is No Disgrace’ and ‘Heart Of The Sunrise’.
At the time of his passing, Squire was Yes’ sole remaining original member, his tenure lasting from 1969 until 2015.
Solo outing Fish Out Of Water arrived in 1975, Squire also teaming with Yes part time guitarist Billy Underwood for the project Conspiracy during 2000. With Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, lone Squackett affair A Life Within A Day surfaced in 2012.
In light of his leukaemia diagnosis, Squire was replaced in Yes’ touring line-up by Billy Sherwood. An intermittent member as referenced, Sherwood played guitar and keyboards as a touring member of Yes in 1994 and as a full member from 1997 until 2000.
Squire was survived by his wife Scotty and children Carmen, Chandrika, Camille, Cameron, and Xilan.
Promotional live photograph by Jerry and Lois Photography.
