AceShowbiz -

Chris Squire, the co-founder and longtime bassist of progressive rock band Yes who was the only member of the band to appear on every album released from 1969 to 2014, died at his home in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, June 27 after losing battle with leukemia. He was 67.

Current Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes tweeted the sad news on Sunday, "Utterly devastated beyond words to have to report the sad news of the passing of my dear friend, bandmate and inspiration Chris Squire. #yes."

Yes posted on its official Facebook, "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, in the arms of his loving wife Scotty."

"For the entirety of Yes' existence, Chris was the band's linchpin and, in so many ways, the glue that held it together over all these years," the band's statement continued, "Because of his phenomenal bass-playing prowess, Chris influenced countless bassists around the world, including many of today's well-known artists. Chris was also a fantastic songwriter, having written and co-written much of Yes' most endearing music, as well as his solo album, 'Fish Out of Water'."

Fellow musicians paid tribute to Chris on Twitter. Dream Theater's founding member and guitarist John Petrucci wrote, "Thank you for all of the amazing music Chris Squire. You will surely be missed." Rage Against the Machine's guitarist Tom Morello tweeted, "RIP Chris Squire, super bassist of Yes. An extremely talented musician's musician who mastered his instrument and took it to new realms." Joe Satriani posted, "R.I.P. and thank you Chris Squire. #ChrisSquire,#yes."

Chris, who formed Yes in 1968 with Jon Anderson, revealed that he was diagnosed with acute erythroid leukemia back in May. He was then forced to miss Yes' summer co-headlining tour with Toto, marking the first time the band performed without him.