Chris Squire Of `Yes` Has Died

sideshowbob · Jun 29, 2015

Chris Squire, right, co-founder of the progressive rock band Yes, has died at the age of 67.

Christopher Russell Edward Squire (March 4, 1948-June 28, 2015) was a musician, songwriter and singer, best known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for Yes.

Squire had announced his hiatus from the band earlier in the year, after being diagnosed with acute erythroid leukemia.

Yes shared the news of Squire’s death via their Facebook page:

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.
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In Yes, Squire performed with an amazing series of keyboardists, including Tony Kaye, Rick Wakeman, Patrick Moraz & Geoff Downes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju8Dgf7fu7k

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ovalf · Jun 29, 2015

What a shame, he made lots of good things!
I hope the rappers and the 2 minutes EDM robots learn with him... I learn a lot.
Thank you Chris!!! :dancing:

Index · Jun 29, 2015

And I just started listening to Yes again some weeks ago.
Rest in Peace Chris!

Dr. Howard · Jun 29, 2015

PumasNFatLaces · Jun 29, 2015

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tdu4uKSZ3M

Rest In Peace!

fiction · Jun 30, 2015

Weird. Very weird.

I remember like it was yesterday how sad I was when I heard that George Duke died.
Not only did he die at the age of 67, but he suffered from leukemia as well.
What a strange coincidence

grdh20 · Jun 30, 2015

It's very, very sad.

Revirau · Jun 30, 2015

The Fish is dead... More music in one finger than many many "musicians" in their whole body...
South side of the sky has turned into black.

realitybytez · Jun 30, 2015

one of my all-time favorite bassists, and founding member of one of my all-time favorite groups. in fact, while other members drifted in and out of yes, squire was the only one who was always there from the very beginning. bill bruford wrote a terrific letter to yes fans around the world expressing his feelings about chris squire:

Really saddened to hear of the death of my old Yes band-mate, Chris Squire. I shall remember him fondly; one of the twin rocks upon which Yes was founded and, I believe, the only member to have been present and correct, Rickenbacker at the ready, on every tour. He and I had a working relationship built around our differences. Despite, or perhaps because of, the old chestnut about creative tension, it seemed, strangely, to work.

He had an approach that contrasted sharply with the somewhat monotonic, immobile bass parts of today. His lines were important; counter-melodic structural components that you were as likely to go away humming as the top line melody; little stand-alone works of art in themselves. Whenever I think of him, which is not infrequently, I think of the over-driven fuzz of the sinewy staccato hits in Close to the Edge (6’04” and on) or a couple of minutes later where he sounds like a tuba (8’.00”). While he may have taken a while to arrive at the finished article, it was always worth waiting for. And then he would sing a different part on top.

An individualist in an age when it was possible to establish individuality, Chris fearlessly staked out a whole protectorate of bass playing in which he was lord and master. I suspect he knew not only that he gave millions of people pleasure with his music, but also that he was fortunate to be able to do so. I offer sincere condolences to his family.

Adios, partner. Bill.
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MozartEstLa · Jun 30, 2015

James Horner one week ago, Chris Squire yesterday... very sad news, really. RIP.

My favorite band ever (with Genesis, Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream), my fav song is "Close to the Edge", fav album "Tales from Topographic Oceans". I can't believe it, I'm sad.

Thankful · Jun 30, 2015

You can't talk about YES and not mention Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson
[media]https://youtu.be/9-BMlq_zyko[/media] Squire is on the right in the dark Asian top and Wakemen on keyboards.

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Chris Squire Of `Yes` Has Died

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