Yukihiro Takahashi, Drummer Of Legendary Japan Band YMO, Dies At 70
TOKYO (Kyudo) - Yukihiro Takahashi, the drummer of legendary Japanese electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra, died Wednesday of aspiration pneumonia, his office said Sunday. He is 70 years old.
Takahashi is best known as the composer of "Rydeen", one of the most popular hits of YMO, a pioneering group he founded in 1978 with world-renowned musician and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and Haruomi Hosono.
Aspiration pneumonia is a lung infection that occurs when food or liquids are inhaled into the airways or lungs instead of swallowed.
Known for wearing Mao-style suits designed by Takahashi, YMO pioneered futuristic art-pop, making full use of synthesizers in the late 1970s when the arcade game "Space Invaders" became a hit.
The trio's performance, which included songs such as "Technopolis", was well received in the United States and Europe. The band's music has become popular in Japan following their success overseas.
Takahashi also performed as a singer, including on YMO's "Kimi ni Mune Kyun" ("My Heart Beats for You"), released as a single in 1983.
Before joining YMO, Takahashi joined the internationally successful band Mika Sadist in 1972, led by musician Kazuhiko Kato. The group opened for Roxy Music in England in 1975.
Takahashi has also performed as a solo musician and joined other groups including Metafive.
He started playing drums in fifth grade and has Mel Taylor of The Ventures as a role model.
In the book he wrote, Takahashi shares his thoughts on the ideal musician and refers to the Beatles' George Harrison as a "small but important role" or "moderate character."
The Tokyo native underwent surgery for a brain tumor in August 2020.
Sakamoto, 70, tweeted a wordless gray box on Sunday morning, in which fans at home and abroad expressed regret for the responses.
The artist has been battling cancer and last month released a pre-recorded concert without an audience, which he says "may be his last" due to his illness.
