Chris Squire of the band Yes performs at Radio City Music Hall on July 9, 2014 in New York City. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
Bassist Chris Squire, co-founder of the British progressive rock band Yes, has died at the age of 67, the band announced in a Facebook post.
“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,” the band said in the post. “Because of his phenomenal bass-playing prowess, Chris influenced countless bassists around the world, including many of today’s well-known artists.”
Squired died Saturday at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, alongside his wife, Scotty.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He Was on Hiatus From the Band While Battling Leukemia
The band announced in May that Squire would be on hiatus from Yes while receiving treatment for acute erythroid leukemia.
“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.”
Utterly devastated beyond words to have to report the sad news of the passing of my dear friend, bandmate and inspiration Chris Squire. #yes
The band is set to perform its first show without Squire at Foxwoods casino in Connecticut in August.
2. Squire Was Born in London & Was Inspired to Become a Musician by The Beatles
Squire was the only member of Yes to perform on all of its albums. (Getty)
Chris Squire was born in London, England, on March 4, 1948, according to his biography on the band’s website. He lived in Kingsbury, a northwest London suburb, and was the son of a cab driver. He was in the choir at St. Andrew’s Church as a boy.
“This early indoctrination gave Chris a particular, insight into choir arrangement and vocal techniques that was to follow him throughout his career to this day,” a biography on his website explains. “In 1964, Chris was suspended from Haberdasher Aske’s public school for wearing his hair much longer than was allowed. The money given to Chris for a haircut was ‘spent on other things’. Chris never returned to school.”
Squire has said he was inspired to play bass guitar by The Beatles.
“Chris’ signature bass style was developed during a particular period of ‘hibernation’ as he spent several months in his girlfriend’s apartment, recovering from the excesses of youth in London. During this time Chris’ practice routine was relentless as he bonded intimately with the bass,” according to his biography. “Chris’ early influences were diverse, ranging from church and choral music to the Merseybeat sounds of the early 1960’s.”
3. He Helped Form the Band in 1968
Chris Squire and Jon Anderson formed Yes in 1968 and released the band’s first album in 1969.
According to Squire’s website, the two musicians bonded over “their mutual admiration of vocal groups, particularly Simon and Garfunkel.”
Of the band’s legacy and the fact it has not been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Rush has, Squire told Rolling Stone in 2013:
Logistically, it’s probably difficult for whoever the committee is to bring in Yes. Rush is fairly simple. It’s the same three guys and always has been. They deserve to be there, no doubt about that. But there still seems to be a certain bias towards early-Seventies prog rock bands like Yes and King Crimson … In our case, we’re on our 18th member. If we ever do get inducted, it would be only fair to have all the members, old and new. So that may be a problem for the committee. I don’t know.
4. He Was the Only Member of Yes to be Part of All of the Band’s Studio Albums
Squire playing in 2014. (Getty)
Squire was the only member of the band to be featured on the band’s 21 studio albums, which were released between 1969 and 2014.
He also released a solo album, Fish Out of Water, in 1975.
“Because of his phenomenal bass-playing prowess, Chris influenced countless bassists around the world, including many of today’s well-known artists,” the band said in a Facebook post. “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.”
5. He Was Married 3 Times & Has 5 Children
Bassist Chris Squire, of progressive rock group Yes, with model Nikki James at their wedding, June 19, 1972. On the right is James’s daughter Carmen, who was one of the bridesmaids. (Getty)
Squire was married three times in his life. He was married to his third wife, Scotty, at the time of his death and died in her “loving arms,” at their Phoenix, Arizona, home, the band said in a statement.
He had five children, 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,” the band said in a statement.
