Groundbreaking rock bassist Chris Squire, who played in every incarnation of the iconic progressive rock group Yes from its inception in 1968 until earlier this year, is dead at age 67.  Squire was in hospital in Arizona being treated for Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), an uncommon form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).  For the first time was unable to join his band for the current tour. 

A statement on the band’s website reads, “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.”

Yes keyboardist Geoffrey Downes tweeted he was “utterly devastated beyond words to have to report the sad news of the passing of my dear friend, bandmate and inspiration Chris Squire.”

Having proudly never returned to school after being suspended for having long hair in 1964, the self taught bassist formed Yes with his friend Jon Anderson in 1968.  He played on every release.  Nicknamed “The Fish”, Squire was a highly influential musician who carried the electric bass into a place of new prominence in popular music.  Whereas most of his contemporaries used the instrument to hold down the bottom end or help propel the rhythm, Squire’s bass lines enveloped and became the songs themselves.

“Chris was a very special part of my life; we were musical brothers,” wrote Yes lead singer emeritus Jon Anderson on his website.  “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 humor.. he always said he was Darth Vader to my Obiwan.  I always thought of him as Christopher Robin to my Winnie the Pooh.”

Of the many musicians Squire influenced, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello wrote, “RIP Chris Squire, super bassist of Yes.  An extremely talented musician’s musician who mastered his instrument and took it to new realms.”

Joe Satriani tweeted, “R.I.P. and thank you Chris Squire.”

Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp adds, “(Yes album) Close to the Edge was one of my most played records as a youth. So much good music was played and made by Chris Squire. Absolute bass legend.”