Chris Squire, Co-Founder of Rock Band Yes, Dies at 67

Wielding a Rickenbacker 4001 electric bass, Chris Squire years ago helped bring bass to the forefront in a world of axemen. A founding member of the prog rock band Yes, he died on Sunday at age 67, from leukemia.

Yes confirmed Squire's death on Facebook, saying: "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." He died in Phoenix, "in the arms of his loving wife Scotty," the band said.

A month ago, Squire disclosed that he had been battling acute erythroid leukemia, and wouldn't be joining the band on its upcoming tour. "This will be the first time since the band formed in 1968 that Yes will have performed live without me," he said in a statement. "But the other guys and myself have agreed that Billy Sherwood will do an excellent job."

Squire met Yes singer Jon Anderson in 1968 in London. They rounded up keyboardist Tony Kaye, guitarist Peter Banks and Bill Bruford on drums and released their self-titled debut album the same year. They reached monumental success in the 1970s, at the height of prog rock's popularity, with albums like the double-platinum Fragile.

Geoff Downes, the current Yes keyboardist, expressed his condolences for his old friend, saying: "Utterly devastated beyond words to have to report the sad news of the passing of my dear friends, bandmate and inspiration Chris Squire."

Squire was the band's mainstay, still slapping the bass even as many Yes members drifted in and out over the years. He was responsible for helping pen many of the band's most acclaimed songs, including "Roundabout" and "I've Seen All Good People." The bassist was prolific, releasing well-received solo albums and playing in several bands, including the supergroup Squackett (along with Steve Hackett, the Genesis guitarist).