Yes bass guitarist Chris Squire dies aged 67

[JohnS]

Yes bass guitarist Chris Squire dies aged 67

Chris Squire, the bass guitarist and co-founder of 1970s British progressive rock band Yes, has died at the age of 67, his bandmates have said.

Current Yes keyboardist Geoffrey Downes tweeted: "Utterly devastated beyond words to have to report the sad news of the passing of my dear friend, bandmate and inspiration Chris Squire."

Squire revealed in May he was suffering from a rare form of leukaemia.

The band said he died "peacefully" in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday night.

"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," said a statement on the band's official website.

Squire said in May that he had been recently diagnosed with acute erythroid leukemia, which would force him to miss the band's summer co-headlining tour with Toto.

Yes, sadly a great pioneer of progressive rock has passed last night. Some further links below:

SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/yes-guitarist-chris-squire-dies-20150629-gi04v4.html

BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33306933

Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/chris-squire-yes-bassist-and-co-founder-dead-at-67-20150628

[billh1]

Prayers for his soul, his family and his friends. I had the privilege of seeing him and Yes at the Ryman in Nashville, TN last year with a few close friends. He will be missed.

[Habana Mike]

Sad to hear. Always enjoyed these guys back in my youth - one of the first concerts I attended.