Chris Squire Dead: Yes Bass Guitarist and Co-Founder Dies Aged 67

Yes bass guitarist and co-founder Chris Squire has died at the age of 67, his bandmates have announced.

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.”

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

The band said Chris died “peacefully” in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday night.

A statement on Yes official website said: “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 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 were formed in 1968 when singer Jon Anderson met self-taught bassist Chris Squire in London.

Their big break came a year later when they signed to Atlantic Records after opening for Janis Joplin at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Their debut single, Sweetness, and first album, Yes, were released later that year.

Other albums included 1971’s Fragile, 1972’s Close To The Edge and 1977’s Going For The One.

In 1983, Yes released the album 90125, which featured their classic hit Owner Of A Lonely Heart. That went on to become a US No 1 hit in January 1984 despite only reaching number 28 in their home country.

Chris Squire also released a solo album, Fish Out Of Water, in 1975.

The group’s most recent studio album, Heaven & Earth, came out in 2014.

Chris Squire, who was born in Kingsbury, north-west London, was the only member of the group to feature on every studio album.

Yes posted on their official website to say they would have more information for fans soon, adding: “Thank you for all your heartfelt tributes on Facebook and Twitter.”