Yellow Magic Orchestra's Yukihiro Takahashi has died
Yukihiro Takahashi, drummer and lead vocalist of the influential Japanese electronic group Yellow Magic Orchestra passed away on January 11, according to a statement released to The Japan Times. He was 70. The cause of death was cited as aspiration pneumonia. In 2020, Yukihiro underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, and he revealed the following year that he was battling other health issues as well.
Tributes have come in from Sparks, Junior Boys, Mouse On Mars, Chris Walla, Orbital, The Avalanches, and other fellow musicians. “Saddened to hear about the passing of Yukihiro Takahashi of Yellow Magic Orchestra and beyond,” Sparks wrote. “It was an honor to cross paths on occasion throughout the years.” His Yellow Magic Orchestra bandmate Ryuichi Sakamoto simply posted this:
— ryuichi sakamoto (@ryuichisakamoto) January 14, 2023
Yukihiro drummed for the Sadistic Mika Band in the early ’70s, and after their 1975 breakup, he and other members formed The Sadistics. His first solo album, Saravah, came out in 1977, and Yukihiro co-founded the Yellow Magic Orchestra with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Haruomi Hosono in 1978. Yukihiro remained prolific over the years as both a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra and a solo artist, and he formed the band METAFIVE in 2014.
Rest in peace, Yukihiro.
Saddened to hear about the passing of Yukihiro Takahashi of Yellow Magic Orchestra and beyond. It was an honor to cross paths on occasion throughout the years. pic.twitter.com/J2uLJwnmoo
— S P A R K S (@sparksofficial) January 14, 2023
Devastating. RIP Yukihiro Takahashi.
— Junior Boys (@Juniorboys) January 14, 2023
Yours were the best sounding drums ever. Drum In Peace dear Yukihiro Takahashi https://t.co/oo2UHjd4ZG
— Mouse on Mars (@MoM_official) January 14, 2023
i am gutted about the passing of yukihiro takahashi; i dreamed of working with him someday. so much swagger, style, incredible moods, and colors. may your name be a blessing, your music made my world so much brighter.
安らかに眠れ伝説 https://t.co/GkLXgABaJD pic.twitter.com/RYDZ4URRaP— chris walla (@calculizer) January 14, 2023
RIP : Yukihiro Takahashi (1952 – 2023)
Paul Hartnoll "Yellow Magic Orchestra are up there with the greatest of the pop electronic bands that help define the sound of ORBITAL"@ryuichisakamoto @ymo#electronicmusic #electronicpop #ymo #ORBITALhttps://t.co/C7APYpU2uD
— Orbital (@orbitalband) January 15, 2023
Rest In Peace Yukihiro Takahashi 💔
— The Avalanches (@TheAvalanches) January 14, 2023
RIP.. Yukihiro’s version of Drip Dry Eyes was a personal obsession of mine over lockdown. https://t.co/yf2IknPAk5 https://t.co/33orktGjlw
— erol alkan (@erolalkan) January 14, 2023
We are absolutely devastated to learn of the passing Yukihiro Takahashi, the incredible drummer behind Yellow Magic Orchestra with a brilliant catalog of solo material as well. Our hearts are with his friends and family at this time. YMO FOREVER. pic.twitter.com/CpQaacf9IT
— Light In The Attic (@lightintheattic) January 14, 2023
