As you may have heard, Chris Squire, co-founder and bassist of the groundbreaking British group YES, passed away this past Saturday. He was 67 years old and had revealed just last month that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. Chris was one of most innovative and influential musicians of our time, and YES are one of the most important bands in the history of Atlantic Records and in the landscape of modern music. While YES has been through a number of personnel changes, Chris was the sole member to play on every album and tour for nearly 50 years. As the band said in a statement, “Chris was the band’s linchpin and, in so many ways, the glue that held it together over all these years.”
Formed in 1968 by Chris and vocalist Jon Anderson, YES were signed to Atlantic Records by Ahmet Ertegun right after the band played as opening act at Cream’s farewell concert in London that November. With the release of the album Fragile in 1971, they broke through to global stardom, going on to score seven top ten albums in the U.S. alone, and selling out stadiums. Chris’s trademark, melodic approach to the bass guitar was not only a core element of the band’s sound, but reinvented the possibilities of the instrument, impacting countless other musicians. He was also a visionary songwriter, co-writing such YES classics as “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Starship Trooper,” “Heart Of The Sunrise,” “Yours Is No Disgrace,” “And You And I,” and “Owner Of A Lonely Heart.” His Atlantic solo album Fish Out Of Water earned widespread acclaim.
We wanted to share the following thoughts from former Atlantic President Jerry Greenberg, who was at the label during the band’s rise to prominence. “I had the honor to work with Chris Squire and YES during those great years. Chris was the foundation for YES, as most bass players are in rock bands. We spoke only a few months ago and he was very happy he was about to tour again. His music and friendship I will always remember.”
Chris was a member of the Atlantic family for two amazing decades, and the music he and his bandmates created remains transcendent and timeless. The world has lost a truly unique voice, and our hearts go out to Chris’s family, friends, and his legions of fans across the globe at this very difficult time.
Craig Kallman, Julie Greenwald, and Tim Fraser-Harding
