On January 11, Yellow Magic Orchestra co-founder, iconic Japanese drummer, and music producer Yukihiro Takahashi passed away at the age 70.
According to the legendary musician’s management, Takahashi had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2020, and had been in and out of hospital repeatedly after surgery while undergoing rehabilitation. While recuperating at home since November, the pioneering Japanese musician’s condition had deteriorated by the close of 2022 and he passed away from aspiration pneumonia.
Takahashi was born in Tokyo in 1952 and began his career as a studio musician in high school, and after playing in Sadistic Mika Band, he formed Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978 with co-founders Haruomi Hosono and Ryuichi Sakamoto.
As a solo artist, Yukihiro released 23 original albums, from Saravah! in 1978 to Life Anew in 2013. Along with his individual career, he also played in The Beatniks with Keiichi Suzuki, Sketch Show with Hosono, and pupa with Tomoyo Harada, Hiroshi Takano, and others. He was also known as a fashion designer.
A special concert celebrating Takahashi’s 50th anniversary in music took place in September of last year, and while the iconic singer-songwriter had been scheduled to perform, he was unable to do so due to his illness.
Following Takahashi’s death, a wave of musicians have paid tribute online including Orbital, Sparks, Erol Alkan, Junior Boys, Mouse on Mars, and 808 State.
A ceremony celebrating his life will be held at a later date.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: The_Junes of Flickr.com