Chris Squire

Christopher Russell Edward Squire entered the world on March 4, 1948, in Wembley, England, yet achieved lasting recognition as the bassist in the progressive rock band Yes. Childhood participation in a local church choir marked his earliest musical involvement. Between 1965 and 1966 the Selfs served as his first rock ensemble, after which he formed the Syn. Guitarist Peter Banks appeared in that lineup and would cross paths with Squire in multiple later projects. Formed in 1966, the Syn continued until the end of 1967. Mabel Greer’s Toy Shop became the next vehicle, again featuring Banks. Work with that group introduced vocalist Jon Anderson, who joined temporarily. Banks departed during this phase, prompting Anderson and Squire to align with Tony Kaye and Bill Bruford. Banks’ return led the musicians to adopt the name Yes, setting in motion an extended and celebrated history.

Two early albums issued in 1969 and 1970 earned critical praise without translating into notable sales or airplay. The third release gained traction after Steve Howe replaced Peter Banks and an inadvertent U.S. radio spin occurred. By the arrival of the subsequent album Fragile, Rick Wakeman had taken Tony Kaye’s place, establishing the classic configuration. The single “Roundabout” from Fragile thrust the group, Squire included, into broad public view. Squire’s singular technique of treating the bass as a lead voice contributed decisively to that breakthrough. He remained the steady foundation through repeated personnel shifts throughout the 1970s. During the 1975 hiatus for solo recordings, Squire issued Fish Out of Water, frequently cited as his strongest individual statement.

Further strains on Yes’ stability soon followed. Squire stayed aboard even after Anderson and Wakeman’s second departure in 1979. The remaining members recruited Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn of the Buggles, resulting in the album Drama. Although Yes devotees responded favorably, the supporting tour proved difficult and the band dissolved afterward. Squire continued working with drummer Alan White, an association that framed the split as a pause rather than a conclusion. The pair first released the holiday single “Run with the Fox.” They then pursued a collaboration with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page under the working title XYZ, yet the effort never materialized. Squire’s next endeavor began as Cinema, initially comprising Squire, White, Kaye, and South African guitarist Trevor Rabin. Producer Trevor Horn recommended adding another vocalist; Jon Anderson joined and observed that his participation would make the music sound like Yes. The name was restored accordingly. The resulting album 90125 and its single “Owner of a Lonely Heart” carried the 1983 edition of Yes to new commercial peaks. A second release, Big Generator, appeared before further lineup upheaval occurred. Rather than dissolve the band, the changes produced an eight-piece “super” lineup of Squire, Anderson, Kaye, Rabin, White, Wakeman, Howe, and Bruford. This configuration recorded Union and toured to large audiences and strong notices. After the tour concluded, Yes reverted to its pre-Union roster and issued Talk in the mid-1990s.

Additional projects occupied Squire across the years. He recorded the album Conspiracy with former Yes member Billy Sherwood and contributed to his then-wife Nikki Squire’s project Esquire. His bass also appeared on solo albums by other Yes members and on a recording by Eddie Harris. While undergoing leukemia treatment in Phoenix, Arizona, in June 2015, his death at age 67 was announced.