Recently, Yes fans learned that Chris Squire, co-founder of
the most influential progressive rock band ever, has a rare form of leukemia. This is sobering news indeed and a reminder
that brilliant, timeless and heavenly music is created by fragile and mortal
creatures.
For about forty-seven years, Chris has been the only
constant in the band’s ever changing line-up.
If Jon Anderson is the voice of Yes, then surely Squire has been its
torch bearer.
It’s a shame that group’s two founding members find
themselves estranged. Both have endured serious
health issues, but undoubtedly past business matters and personal friction have
created a rift that extends into the fan base as well. Yet, both Chris’s version of Yes and Jon’s
solo career have created positive, upbeat and rewarding music.
What made Yes’ best music work was a peculiar mix of incongruous
elements. Squire’s down-to-earth
personality and pop-sensibility complemented Anderson’s ethereal and cryptic
tendencies. Jon could soar so high, both
vocally and in terms of musical ambitions, in no small measure because Chris
anchored everything with his rock-solid but innately melodic bass.
