PROG rockers Yes will perform their 50th anniversary tour — but it’s only going ahead because founding member Chris Squire gave it his blessing just before he died.

The bassist, bottom left, passed away aged 67 in 2015 from acute erythroid leukaemia but he was determined the band should carry on after his death.

3 The late Chris Squire was determined the the band should carry on after his death Credit: © GottliebBros.com

And keyboard player Geoff Downes said: “It was a big blow when Chris departed because he was the mainstay and had been through every generation of the band.

“We spoke to Chris when he knew he wouldn’t be able to make the tour that year, and he said the band should carry on regardless. It was in some ways the only way we could carry on — with Chris’s blessing.

“We all miss his larger-than-life personality, but he always said that Yes music should continue on much longer than any of us, so we’ve carried on that legacy.”

The band was originally formed in London in 1968 — but has had periods of turmoil over the years.

3 Chris Squire passed away in 2015 from acute erythroid leukaemia Credit: Handout

But Geoff — who joined the band first in 1980 and rejoined in 2011 — reckons change has kept the group fresh.

He said: “It’s been very important for the band and it’s one of the reasons it has managed to sustain itself for so many years.

“Although the band has retained its sound over the years, I think that having different people come in and adding different eras has added different sides to Yes.”

He added: “If you look at us today, we’ve got a really great line-up of musicians and I still admire and learn from them every day.”

Geoff will be joined by Steve Howe, Alan White, Billy Sherwood and Jon Davidson when the band hits the road for the 50th anniversary this month.

He said: “It’s a very nice thing for the fans.

“They’ve been part of the band for 50 years and we’re really looking forward to putting together a show for that. We’ve got a couple of fan conventions as well, so it’s going to be a big celebration of 50 years of Yes music.

But with the release of new album Fly From Here — The Return at the end of March, the musician also reveals that looking back has been “bittersweet”.

3 Geoff Downes will be joined by Steve Howe, Alan White, Billy Sherwood and Jon Davidson Credit: © GottliebBros.com

He said: “The setlist falls into place itself, but it’s such a vast catalogue, around 21 or 22 studio albums, that’s an enormous volume of work to look at it. We try to mix it up and do things that are a little bit more obscure, but we’re conscious that there are some tracks we have to include.

“The Topographic Drama record was going to be next in our album sequence, but sadly Chris passed away before we could do that.

“It was all really about paying homage to Chris to do that album, it is a really bittersweet thing to take that on the road.”

But with five decades under their belt, Geoff also admits he’s looking forward to looking back over the good times.

Most Read in TV & Showbiz SAVING LIVES Peter Andre's wife Emily blames 'Noel Gallagher' for rise in coronavirus Exclusive NEW BLM ROW Britain's Got Talent hit with 1,700 complaints after Alesha wears BLM necklace FINAL FAREWELL Scottish rock star Fish reveals he's retiring from the music business Exclusive STRIKE IT RICH Tommy Fury made £3k a DAY last year raking in the cash after Love Island secret plans Katie Price fans convinced she's pregnant AND engaged to Carl Woods GOR BLIMEY Gordon Ramsay's £56 Sunday lunch slammed by diners as 'a child's portion' LAST TWEETS Denise Welch quits Twitter after 'covidiot' virus-denier row with Piers Morgan 'taking the p***' Molly-Mae fans furious as they claim £8k Louis Vuitton giveaway was fixed PEEK-A-BOOB Megan Barton Hanson wows in skintight dress after saying she'll only date women Exclusive DELIVE-RAY Dancing On Ice winner Ray Quinn earning £11.40 an hour as Hermes delivery driver

He says: “We’ve got some great following in Scotland.

“It will be a real trip down memory lane for a lot of the fans because when you think of a band like Yes, who have been going for 50 years, the fans and the band are now getting on a bit. It will be great to see everyone come together to share stories and share music.”

Yes will play the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow on March 16.

We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5200