Yes drummer Alan White confirms the progressive rock icons will continue following last month’s passing of founder and bassist Chris Squire.
Squire died June 27 at the age of 67 from Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), an uncommon form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Now, White says the band will move forward at Squire’s request.
"It's certainly going to be hard without him, but he called me and asked me to keep everything going regardless of what happens," White tells Billboard. "So absolutely we're moving ahead. I'm gonna do it for him. The fans are behind the band and want the band to keep moving forward here. It doesn't seem like anybody's kind of given up on the band, which is really encouraging and it'll help us move things forward.
“Things can't just stop, you know? We've got to maintain the Yes name and ... meet the high standards of musicianship Chris created."
Squire co-founded Yes in 1968 with singer Jon Anderson; the pair were initially joined by guitarist Peter Banks, keyboardist Tony Kaye and drummer Bill Bruford, the lineup that released the group’s 1969 self-titled debut and 1970 follow-up, “Time And A Word.”
While Yes faced several lineup changes through the years, Squire was the only member to appear on each of their 21 studio albums.
Squire’s health issue was going to sideline him for the band’s summer tour of North America with Toto, which starts August 7 at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.
Prior to Squire’s passing, the band had confirmed Yes alumnus Billy Sherwood would handle bass duties for the tour.
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