Yes has announced that their bassist, Chris Squire, has been diagnosed with Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), an uncommon form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Squire will remain home from the band’s summer tour at his home in Phoenix while he undergoes treatment.
AEL is a rare form of leukemia that accounts for only 5% of diagnosed cases. Treatment normally includes various forms of chemotherapy; however, average survival rates can range from 3 to 6 months for the worst form of the disease to 2+ years for the mildest form.
Squire said in a press release, “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.”
Chris was a founding member of Yes and has been with the band for his entire career except for periods when the group was on hiatus in the early 80’s and mid-2000’s. He was also part of the side project, Conspiracy, with Yes guitarist Billy Sherwood.
The full press release:
Grammy Award-winning bass guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of Yes, Chris Squire, has been diagnosed with Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), an uncommon form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Chris will be receiving treatment in his hometown of Phoenix over the next few months.
YES will be honoring their commitments 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, “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.”
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