Yes bassist Billy Sherwood has spoken about how "devastated" he was to learn about Chris Squire's leukemia diagnosis a decade ago, and the guilt he felt even as he honoured Squire's wishes by taking his place in the legendary English band.
Sherwood was first drafted into Yes in 1994 as a touring musician, playing keyboards, guitar and bass, and joined the band officially in 1997, appearing on their 17th studio album, Open Your Eyes. The Las Vegas-born musician stepped away from the band in 2000 ahead of Rick Wakeman rejoining once again. While Sherwood was recording his solo album Citizen, Chris Squire asked if he would stand in for him while the band toured North America alongside Toto, as he had "some medical stuff" to deal with. It was only later, during a phone call with Squire's wife Scotland, that Sherwood learned of the bassist's diagnosis with a rare form of leukemia: "It’s heartbreaking to think about this stuff. I was in shock."
"And then I was absolutely emotionally just devastated," Sherwood tells Rolling Stone in a wide-ranging new interview. "Chris calls me back and says, 'Well, I guess she told you, didn’t she? I’ll knock this on the head, but I’ll be back. Don’t get too comfortable there'."
