Written by: Alex Green

Stereo Embers has learned that Chris Squire of Yes has been diagnosed with leukemia and will soon undergo treatment for the disease.

Squire, was diagnosed with Acute Erythroid Leukemia, which is a rare iteration of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Also known as Di Guglielmo syndrome, the illness occurs in less than 5% of patients diagnosed with AML. The treatment is very similar to AML cases, and may nor may not consist of transplantation of the bone marrow. Although details of Squire’s treatment haven’t been revealed, it has been disclosed that he will receive medical attention in his adopted home of Phoenix, Arizona.

The London-born bassist is not only a co-founder of the prog rock heroes, he’s the only member to appear on every Yes album.

He also happens to be the only original member left in the band.

Squire, who is affectionately known as “Fish” plays a Rickenbacker 4001 electric bass and is considered by fans and music pundits alike, as one of the greatest bassists of all time.

Squire’s slot will be temporarily filled by Billy Sherwood. It should be noted that when Sherwood takes the stage in place of Squire in August, it will mark the first time in the nearly fifty years that Yes has been around, that Squire will not be with the band.  On his official FB page, Squire echoed this, saying: “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.”

We wish him a speedy recovery.