NEW YORK — Chris Squire, bassist and co-founder of the progressive rock band Yes, died on Saturday, according to a statement from his band members on Sunday. He was 67.
"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 the statement from Alan White, Steve Howe, Jon Davison and Geoff Downes.
Its with the heaviest of hearts & unbearable sadness that we must inform you of the passing of our dear friend & YES co-founder Chris Squire— yesofficial (@yesofficial) June 28, 2015
The band said on its Facebook page that Squire "peacefully passed away" Saturday in Phoenix, where he lived. No more details about his death were provided.
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Squire announced last month that he had acute erythroid leukemia, a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia. He was receiving treatment before he died.
The bassist was born on March 4, 1948, in London. He co-founded Yes with its former lead singer, Jon Anderson, and the group released its self-titled debut album in 1969. Squire was the only member to play on all of Yes' albums.
"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," Yes' statement read. "Because of his phenomenal bass-playing prowess, Chris influenced countless bassists around the world, including many of today's well-known artists."
Squire, a talented and dominant bass guitarist, was one of the leaders of progressive rock in the 1970s. The musician's official website says he was a choirboy in his youth, which set the foundation for his musical talents.
He released his solo debut, Fish Out of Water, in 1975, and also played in the short-lived supergroup XYZ (eX-Yes-Zeppelin), which included Jimmy Page.
Yes released the album Heaven & Earth last year. The Grammy-winning band's hits include "Roundabout" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart," which became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard pop charts in the 1980s. Yes will launch a U.S. tour with Toto in August, and Billy Sherwood will fill in for Squire.
Fellow musicians paid tribute to Squire on Twitter:
I am absolutely FLOORED to hear the news of Chris Squire passing away...I had the honor of touring w Yes in 2004...Chris was a bass pioneer— Mike Portnoy (@MikePortnoy) June 28, 2015
This poster has a special meaning 4 me today. RIP Chris Squire, I enjoyed working & touring with you in @yesofficial pic.twitter.com/S3t2wHJmuw— Oliver Wakeman (@OliverWakeman) June 28, 2015
Squire is survived by his wife, Scotland, and several children.
Additional reporting by Mashable