Below is a time-sensitive statement from Scotland Squire, the wife of Chris Squire--the Grammy Award-winning bass guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and founding member of Yes--who passed away Saturday, June 27.

 "My best friend and the love of my life Chris Squire will be cremated today in Scottsdale, Arizona at 3:00 pm. However, knowing Chris, he might be running a bit late for the event; after all, he has always been the 'late ' Chris Squire.  

“So at 3:00 p.m. Phoenix time, please take a moment to play your favorite Yes or Chris Squire song, or just think of your favorite Chris Squire memory.  

“Sending my love to all." 

 --Scotland Squire

Squire, who co-founded the band in 1968 with singer Jon Anderson, was diagnosed with Acute Erythroid Leukemia, an uncommon form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), earlier this year.

The band confirmed his death in a statement: “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 peacefully passed away last night in Phoenix Arizona. We will have more information for you soon.”

Journalist, author and musician Joel Gausten has posted a tribute to Squire, which can be read below:

"Very sad to start the day with the news of Chris Squire's passing. Prog is just as important to me as punk or any other genre I cherish, and it's devastating to know that the world will no longer hear new creations from one of its key progenitors. For me, YES' greatest moment will always be the Drama album, where they were brave enough to match the technical prowess of their past with the new wave vibe that was going on at the time. That lineup of Squire, White, Downes, Howe and Horn was magnificent. The magic of that album was easily matched on 2011's Fly From Here, which marked the return of Downes and (in the producer's chair, but not on the mic) Horn. Of course, there are countless extraordinary moments from the Jon Anderson era – a catalog with far-reaching influence. (Don't believe me? Ask Pat Smear, who started The Germs' 'No God' with a guitar line from 'Roundabout'). The common denominator through all of YES' various lineups was Chris Squire.
 
I'm grateful I was finally able to see YES live in 2013, when they hit New England to play The Yes Album, Close To The Edge and Going For The One in their entirety. There they were, mostly guys in their 60s, playing flawlessly for hours. And there was Chris Squire, leading the pack as he always did. And now he's gone. Hard to take. 

YES had more great music in them. While the loss of the sole original member could spell the end of future possibilities, at least there's some solace to be found in all those great records that came before this sad day. They will be filling the air here today. 

Farewell, sir. And thank you."

Squire was the only member to appear on each of their 21 studio albums, released from 1969 to 2014.

YES will be honouring their commitment to their North American summer tour with Toto, as well as confirming their performances on the Cruise To The Edge in November. Chris's role in the band will be covered by YES alumnus Billy Sherwood.

To quote Chris prior to his death while receiving treatment for Leukemia: "This will be the first time since the band formed in 1968 that YES will have performed live without me. But the other guys and myself have agreed that Billy Sherwood will do an excellent job of covering my parts and the show as a whole will deliver the same YES experience that our fans have come to expect over the years."

Like It Is - YES At The Mesa Arts Center is due out on July 3rd in Europe and July 10th in North America. Available in 2CD/DVD, Blu-ray and Digital formats, with a later release planned on vinyl too, this new live album, which follows a similar path to the successful release Like It Is – YES At The Bristol Hippodrome, sees two of the band’s signature albums, 1971’s Fragile, and 1972’s Close To The Edge performed live in their entirety on the band’s 2014 world tour.

Recorded live on Tuesday August 12th, 2014 at the Ikeda Theater in Mesa, AZ, featuring Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White Geoff Downes and Jon Davison, offers an exciting take on two amazing pieces of music which include live staples such as “Roundabout”, “Heart Of The Sunrise”, “And You and I” and the epic “Close To The Edge”.

“That evening in Mesa, Arizona was a great one. The audience was fantastic; they loved the music and really made it a very special night for us. And we were in top form. The music sounded great and we could have played all night,” says YES co-founder and bassist, Chris Squire. “Like It Is brings the magic and wonderful music of that evening to fans everywhere, and we’re sure they’ll enjoy listening to it as much as we did performing it.”

This new live release comes as YES continues one of its most fertile musical periods in their nearly five decade history and is a perfect companion piece to the other retrospective live release,  Like it Is – YES At The Bristol Hippodrome, which included amazing renditions of Going For the One and The Yes Album. Formed in 1968, the band has endured for nearly five decades and remains one of the most popular live touring acts in rock n roll. They have recently announced their US tour with label-mates Toto. All dates and ticket links here.

Tracklisting:

CD1 (LP 1):

“Close To The Edge”
“And You And I”
“Siberian Khatru”

CD2 (LP 2):

“Roundabout”
Cans And Brahms”
“We Have Heaven”
“South Side Of The Sky”
“Five Per Cent For Nothing”
“Long Distance Runaround”
“The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)”
“Mood For A Day”
“Heart Of The Sunrise”

DVD / Blu-Ray:

“Close To The Edge”
“And You And I”
“Siberian Khatru”
“Roundabout”
“Cans And Brahms”
“We Have Heaven”
“South Side Of The Sky”
“Five Per Cent For Nothing”
“Long Distance Runaround”
“The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)”
“Mood For A Day”
“Heart Of The Sunrise”

“Heart Of The Sunrise”:

"South Side Of The Sky":