Yes co-founder & bassist Chris Squire dies aged 67
21 replies, posted
[quote]Chris Squire, stalwart co-founder of Yes, has died, bandmate Geoff Downes confirms via Twitter. The 67 year old had announced a hiatus from the band in May, following a diagnosis of acute erythroid leukemia.
“Utterly devastated beyond words to have to report the sad news of the passing of my dear friend, bandmate and inspiration Chris Squire,” says Downes, who appeared on three Yes studio albums with the bass-playing legend – 1980′s Drama, 2011′s Fly From Here and 2014′s Heaven and Earth.
Squire was the only constant in a band that began evolving almost as soon as it was founded in advance of a self-titled 1969 debut. Yes’ Aug. 7 concert with Toto will mark the first-ever without him.
Yes later released a statement that marks Squire’s sad passing:
[i]
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 h usband 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.[/i]
Squire’s final work on Heaven and Earth helped that project to a Top 20 finish on the UK charts. Yes’ best-selling albums include 1983′s triple-platinum 90125 and 1971′s double-platinum Fragile.[/quote]
[url]http://ultimateclassicrock.com/chris-squire-dies-yes/[/url]
A great shame, he was such a talented bass player and really the one who gave Yes its distinct sound.
[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTm6r43Q_Vo[/media]
'nuff said.
(For those who don't know, this song is almost entirely comprised of overlapped bass guitar riffs.)
I have been listening to their less popular 90's stuff lately, it is really good
[Media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3E8lL6HqfA[/media]
RIP
Damn shame, an amazing bass player from an amazing ban. Had to have lived a great life but died young.
I discovered them through Homeworld, as they did the credits song. RIP.
[video=youtube;iJkoBNOPvjU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJkoBNOPvjU[/video]
I saw them live a few years back. The original band and basically everyone involved thereafter are such phenomenal musicians. Sad to see him go.
Yes was an amazing band with amazing instrumentalists. Chris Squire definitely counts as one of the best bass players out there in my book.
R.I.P.
Nooo
Fuuuuuck that really sucks, this guy was a crazy good player, reason I picked up a bass in the first place, and a rick
RIP, dude
its a bad day for bassists, including me :(
I never liked Yes' sound but whenever I've heard them the highlight was always the bass. I haven't heard much from Chris Squire but the little I have heard was probably second only to John Entwistle which is saying quite a lot.
My dad gave me his copy of [I]Going For The One[/I] as my first album. His favourite song is still Wonderous Stories.
Yes have such a pleasantly distinctive sound, if a 'tad psychedelic.
[video=youtube;9-BMlq_zyko]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-BMlq_zyko[/video]
wtf
This thread is now about posting your favourite Yes songs.
[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se7hNE68oVA[/media]
he was perfectly alright just last year on tour, i never got to see him :(
[editline]28th June 2015[/editline]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-rdL2KkvzY[/media]
Posted by Bill Bruford on Facebook:
[QUOTE=Bill Bruford]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.[/QUOTE]
Posted by Jon Anderson on his website:
[QUOTE=Jon Anderson]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 humor... 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.
Love and light.....Jon[/QUOTE]
