Losing his fight to a rare breed of leukemia, Yes bassist and co-founder of the legendary progressive rock band, Chris Squire, passed away on June 27. Former bandmates keyboardist Rick Wakeman and singer Jon Anderson, who founded the band alongside Squire in 1968, penned tributes to their deceased bandmate — the only member to appear on every Yes album.
"Chris was a very special part of my life; we were musical brothers," Anderson posted on his official site. "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 Obi-Wan. I always thought of him as Christopher Robin to my Winnie the Pooh."
Together, Squire and Anderson co-wrote countless Yes staples including "Owner of a Lonely Heart," "Starship Trooper," "I've Seen All Good People" and "Yours Is No Disgrace," notes Rolling Stone. "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," Anderson wrote.
Wakeman, who spent his time with Yes ever since 1971's LP Fragile, also took to his official website to honor Squire. "We have now lost, who for me, are the two greatest bass players classic rock has ever known. John Entwistle and now Chris," the keyboardist wrote. "There can hardly be a bass player worth his salt who hasn't been influenced by one or both of these great players."
Wakeman also detailed that although he knew how serious Squire's illness was, he was told that Squire "felt optimistic that with treatment, love and prayer, he would beat it." "Chris took the art of making a bass guitar into a lead instrument to another stratosphere and coupled with his showmanship and concern for every single note he played, made him something special," Wakeman detailed.
Thanks for your life Chris. You may be gone but the music lives on for ever. You've personally left me with great memories and great music
— Rick Wakeman (@GrumpyOldRick) June 29, 2015
"Although Chris is no longer with us in human form, his music has not gone with him and that will be around long after all who read this will also have departed this mortal coil. That's the great gift of music. That gift can be passed on with what has been created and so Chris will always live on."
Wakeman explained that "Chris's passing truly marks the end of an era," while Yes still have a few gigs to tackle for the summer into 2016.
