Yes co-founder, bassist Chris Squire dies at 67

NEW YORK – Chris Squire, the bassist and co-founder of the progressive rock band Yes who recently announced he had leukemia, has died, according to a statement from his band members Sunday. He was 67.

The band posted a statement on its Facebook page saying Squire “peacefully passed away” Saturday in Phoenix, where he lived. No further details about his death were provided.

Squire announced last month that he had acute erythroid leukemia, a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia. He was receiving treatment before he died.

“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.

“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,” the band’s statement said. “Because of his phenomenal bass-playing prowess, Chris influenced countless bassists around the world, including many of today’s well-known artists.”

Squire was born March 4, 1948, in London. He was the only member to play on all of Yes’ albums, and he co-founded the band with its former lead singer, Jon Anderson. The group released its self-titled debut album in 1969.

In a statement posted Sunday on his website, Anderson said he and Squire were “musical brothers.”

Squire, a talented and dominant bass guitarist, was one of the leaders of progressive rock in the 1970s.

He released his solo debut, “Fish Out of Water,” in 1975, and played in the short-lived supergroup XYZ (eX-Yes-Zeppelin), which included Jimmy Page.

Squire is survived by his wife, Scotland, and several children.