Former ‘Chris Squire’ Remembers Chris Squire — With Gratitude
To quote the line from the Beatles "A Day in the Life" -- "I read the news today, oh boy."
Sunday, I woke up to the news that a person who was a part of my musical food group and was a part of a select group of bassists who took playing bass to a new and higher level, had passed. Chris Squire of the band Yes had battled leukemia and was just 67.
I had the great honor of meeting Chris at the Gorge Amphitheater back the early '90s while working at 94.5 KATS-FM.
First, though, some history: I'd DJ'd many formats before I got the call from a friend about doing nights at an up-and-coming FM CHR station in the mid-1980s. He wanted to use crazy on-air names as DJs had done years earlier.
I wasn't too hot on the idea, but I did my best to find something new and cool. As my first shift drew near, though, I still had not settled on a name I liked. I sat down and closed my eyes to relax. I hit the play button on the cassette player and the live version of "I've Seen All Good People" came blasting out of the speakers with Jon Anderson saying, "On the bass, Mr. Christopher Squire!" And Chris then unloaded on his Rick bass with an incredible riff that just roared! I got pumped up from that and noticed that I had a poster of Chris Squire hanging on the wall. BAM! That was the answer!
My on-air name was Chris Squire.
By the '90s, I'd taken that spot at KATS, but I still went by Chris Squire on-air. And when Yes came to the Gorge Amphitheatre, a record rep named Julie Rae McCloud gave me the opportunity to meet the band.
It was a great time meeting Trevor Rabin and Alan White plus the rest of the group. We talked about music, family and other funny things. During all of this, though, Chris Squire (the real one) had not come out of the trailer.
Soon they said that the band needed to get ready to go onstage, so we all said have a great time and thanked them for talking with us. (It was kind of cool being served a beer by Trevor!)
Before we left the gated area, however, Julie Rae grabbed my arm and told me to wait right here. I stood waiting and Julie Rae waved for me to come back to the meet and greeting area. As I turned the corner, there he was: Chris Squire (cue the heavens opening)! Julie Rae introduced me to him and he held out his hand to shake mine. ( His hands were huge! Mine disappeared in his.)
We chatted for a bit and Julia Rae had Chris ask me what my on air name was. So I told him the story I just told you. He gave me this "You got to be kidding" look and started to laugh.
So this weekend was a heavy one for me music-wise. Remember John Entwistle of the Who died 13 years ago on the same date as Chris Squire. I believe that band in heaven is really going to rock to new heights now. Oh, and the next time you hear thunder, it's likely Chris and John trading bass licks. (Thor has tickets in the front row, rocking out!)
God speed, Chris Squire and God bless. You will not be forgotten.
Here is more of Chris and Yes for your viewing and listening pleasure:
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