Yukihiro Takahashi 高橋幸宏 | |
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![]() Performing with YMO in 2008 | |
Background information | |
Born | Tokyo, Japan | June 6, 1952
Died | January 11, 2023 Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan | (aged 70)
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 1972–2023 |
Formerly of |
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Spouse(s) | Kiyomi Takahashi (?–2023) |
Yukihiro Takahashi (Japanese: 高橋 幸宏, Hepburn: Takahashi Yukihiro, June 6, 1952 – January 11, 2023) was a Japanese musician, singer, record producer, and actor, who was best known internationally as the drummer and lead vocalist of the Yellow Magic Orchestra,[1] and as the former drummer of the Sadistic Mika Band. He was also a member of the group Metafive.
Career
[edit]Takahashi first came to prominence as the drummer of the Sadistic Mika Band in the early 1970s, and became known to western audiences after this band (led by Kazuhiko Katō, formerly of The Folk Crusaders) toured and recorded in the United Kingdom. After the Sadistic Mika Band disbanded, some of the members (including Takahashi) formed another band called The Sadistics, who released several albums. Takahashi recorded his first solo album, Saravah, in 1977. In 1978, Takahashi joined Ryuichi Sakamoto and Haruomi Hosono to form the Yellow Magic Orchestra.[2]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Bob_Motherbaugh%2C_Yukihiro_Takahashi%2C_Ryuichi_Sakamoto.png/220px-Bob_Motherbaugh%2C_Yukihiro_Takahashi%2C_Ryuichi_Sakamoto.png)
Throughout the 1980s, Takahashi also released a large number of solo albums primarily intended for the Japanese market. Takahashi collaborated extensively with other musicians, including Bill Nelson, Iva Davies of Icehouse,[3] Keiichi Suzuki of the Moonriders (often as a duo dubbed "The Beatniks", although Suzuki essentially functioned as a member of Takahashi's backing band during the Moonriders' brief hiatus) and in particular Steve Jansen. Takahashi released a single Stay Close and an EP Pulse as a duo with Jansen.
Takahashi helped compose the soundtrack to the anime series Nadia: Secret of the Blue Water in 1989, including the song "Families".[4] Takahashi participated in temporary reunions of both the Sadistic Mika Band (minus the lead vocalist Mika, who was replaced by Kaela Kimura), and The Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). Both of these reunions included tours of Japan and an album of new material.
In the early 2000s, Takahashi became a member of the duo Sketch Show, with Haruomi Hosono. Sketch Show released two albums, one of which, Loophole, was released in the UK. Both Takahashi and Hosono reunited with Sakamoto as HASYMO – a combination of Human Audio Sponge and Yellow Magic Orchestra. This collaboration produced a single, "Rescue", in 2007.[5] Takahashi released the solo album Life Anew on July 17, 2013, as well as anniversary and live albums. His later work included Saravah, Saravah! (2018), a remastered reboot of his solo debut album which, along with re-recorded vocals, featured appearances by Sakamoto, Hosono and other musicians.[6]
Personal life
[edit]Takahashi was born in Tokyo, and began playing music from an early age.[2] He was married to Kiyomi Takahashi.[2]
Health and death
[edit]Takahashi suffered from headaches from the beginning of summer 2020. While Takahashi initially thought that these were migraines, he finally underwent an MRI scan. It was discovered that the headaches were the result of a brain tumor.[7] On August 13, 2020, Takahashi underwent surgery to remove the tumor; he announced that there were no after effects and that he would devote himself to treatment.[8] On October 20, 2020, Takahashi announced through his social media that he had completed his course of treatment following the surgery.[9]
On January 11, 2023, Takahashi died in Karuizawa, Nagano, from aspiration pneumonia, a complication of the brain tumor. He was 70.[2][10][11]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
JPN Oricon [12] | ||
Saravah! |
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- |
Murdered by the Music |
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12 |
Neuromantic |
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21 |
What, Me Worry? |
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35 |
Tomorrow's Just Another Day |
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11 |
Wild and Moody |
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13 |
Once a Fool |
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11 |
Only When I Laugh |
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24 |
Ego |
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16 |
Broadcast from Heaven |
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11 |
A Day in the Next Life |
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37 |
Life Time Happy Time |
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22 |
Mr YT |
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33 |
Fate of Gold |
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49 |
Portrait with No Name |
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49 |
A Sigh of Ghost |
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99 |
A Ray of Hope |
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- |
The Dearest Fool |
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88 |
Blue Moon Blue |
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93 |
Page by Page |
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56 |
Life Anew |
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40 |
Compilation albums
[edit]Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
JPN Oricon [12] | ||
The Brand New Day |
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- |
The Best Way |
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- |
I'm Not in Love: The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi 1988–1995 |
|
36 |
Yukihiro Takahashi Collection – Singles and More 1988–1996 |
|
- |
Colors: Best of YT Cover Tracks Vol. 1 |
|
- |
Colors: Best of YT Cover Tracks Vol. 2 |
|
- |
A Dog Smiled: Yukihiro Takahashi Best Selection '97–'99 |
|
- |
Turning the Pages of Life: The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi in Alfa Years 1981–1985 |
|
113 |
Turning the Pages of Life: The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi in Alfa Years 1988–1996 |
|
211 |
Grand Espoir |
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65 |
The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi (EMI Years 1988–2013) |
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37 |
Self-cover albums
[edit]Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
JPN Oricon [12] | ||
Heart of Hurt |
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28 |
Saravah, Saravah! |
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29 |
Live albums
[edit]Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
JPN Oricon [12] | ||
Time and Place |
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13 |
A Night in the Next Life |
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74 |
Run After You |
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- |
A Night in the Next Life – Perfect Premium Discs |
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300 |
Heart of Hurt Live 2014 – Seas of Seeds |
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- |
Saravah Saravah! – Yukihiro Takahashi Live 2018 |
|
46 |
It's Gonna Work Out – Live 82–83 |
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18 |
Soundtracks
[edit]Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
JPN Oricon [12] | ||
Poisson d'Avril |
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28 |
La Pensee | 60 | |
The Adventures of Gaku |
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- |
Umi Sora Sango no Iitsutae |
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- |
Ahiru no Uta ga Kikoete Kuru yo |
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- |
Shizukana Ayashii Gogo ni |
|
- |
The Show vol.6 Yohji Yamamoto Collection Music |
|
- |
Collaboration albums
[edit]Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
JPN Oricon [12] | ||
Pulse:Pulse (with Steve Jansen) |
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- |
Techno Recital (with Metafive) |
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43 |
Phase (with In Phase) |
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45 |
Remix albums
[edit]Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
JPN Oricon [12] | ||
Fool on Earth |
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- |
Box sets
[edit]Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
JPN Oricon [12] | ||
Yukihiro Takahashi in T.E.N.T Years 1985–1987 | 39 |
Singles
[edit]Year | Album | Chart positions (JP)[12] |
Label |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | "C'est Si Bon"/"La Rosa" | - | King |
1980 | "Murdered by the Music" | - | |
"Blue Colour Worker" | - | ||
1983 | "Are You Receiving Me?" | 91 | Alfa |
"Maebure" | 50 | ||
1985 | "Poisson D'Avril" | - | |
1986 | "Kyou no Sora" | - | Canyon |
1988 | "Look of Love" | - | Toshiba Emi |
1990 | "1 percent no Kankei" | 50 | |
"Xmas Day in the Next Life" | 55 | ||
1991 | "Stronger Than Iron" | 52 | |
"Genki Nara Ureshiine" | 88 | ||
1992 | "Sutekina Hito" | 74 | |
1994 | "Aozora" | - | |
1995 | "Seiippai No Hohoemi" | 79 | |
"Saenai Kimochi" | - | ||
1996 | "Na mo nai Renai" | - | |
1997 | "A Touch of Fine" | - | Consipio |
2013 | "C'Est Si Bon" | - | Hints Music |
Digital singles
[edit]Year | Single | Reference |
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2000 | "A Dog Smiles" |
[13] |
2006 | "BMBATASG" |
[13] |
"BMBATASG/E" |
[13] | |
"Blue Moon Blue" |
[13] | |
"Something New - ASG Live" |
[13] | |
2009 | "The Words" |
[13] |
"Out There" |
[13] | |
2013 | "All That We Know" |
[13] |
Collaboration singles
[edit]Year | Album | Chart positions (JP)[12] |
Label |
---|---|---|---|
1985 | "Stay Close" (夏ざかりほの字組)
|
68 | Canyon |
1995 | "Watermelon" | 85 | Toshiba Emi |
2003 | "Something"
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- | Cutting Edge |
2011 | "The Burning Plain"
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- | Mach |
2013 | "Radio"
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- | Universal Music Japan |
2014 | "Split Spirit"
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- | Flying Dog |
Videography
[edit]Live video albums
[edit]Release | Title | Format | Serial Number | Chart | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apollon Music Industrial | |||||
1st | 18 November 1983 | Boys Will Be Boys | VHS | 12H-1102 | |
Betamax | 12B-1101 | ||||
Alfa Records | |||||
2nd | 21 December 1984 | A Fragment | VHS | 10AV-2 | |
Betamax | 10AT-2 | ||||
3rd | 21 March 1985 | Shin Ao Nen | VHS | 98H-1126 | |
Betamax | 98B-1126 | ||||
Ppony | |||||
4th | 24 November 1986 | Japan Tour '86 | VHS | V98M-1443 | |
Betamax | X98-1443 | ||||
LD | G88M-0157 | ||||
Toshiba Emi | |||||
5th | 5 December 1990 | A La Vie Prochaine | VHS | TOVF-7017 | |
LD | TOMF-7017 | ||||
Universal Music Japan | |||||
6th | 26 June 2013 | One Fine Night: 60th Anniversary Live | BD+CD | TOXF-5776 | 47 |
DVD+CD | TOBF-5776 | 80 |
Filmography
[edit]- A Y.M.O. Film Propaganda (1984)
- Tenkoku ni ichiban chikai shima (1984) – Katsuki Jirô
- Tokyo Melody[14]
- Shigatsu no sakana (1986) – Nemoto Shôhei
- The Discarnates (1988)
- Otoko wa sore gaman dekinai (2006)
- 20th Century Boys 3: Redemption (2009) – Billy
- Norwegian Wood (2010) – Gatekeeper
- Labyrinth of Cinema (2020)
Video games
[edit]- Ginga no Sannin (1987, Nintendo)
- Sangokushi: Eiketsu Tenka ni Nozomu (1991, Naxat)
- The Journey Home: Quest for the Throne (1993, Telenet Japan)
- FantaStep (1997, Jaleco)
- T kara Hajimaru Monogatari (1998, Jaleco) - Main Theme
Publications
[edit]Books
[edit]Title | Author | Release | Publisher | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|---|
Iji no Chi (偉人の血) | Yukihiro Takahashi, Keiichi Suzuki | 1985 | Palco | ISBN 4-89194-097-2 |
Inu no Seikatsu (犬の生活) | Takahashi | 1989 | Jicc | ISBN 4-88063-550-2 |
Hitode no Kyuujitsu (ヒトデの休日) | Takahashi | 1992 | Jicc | ISBN 4-7966-0292-5 |
Catchy & Release (キャッチ&リリース) | Takahashi | 1997 | Daiei | ISBN 4-88682-616-4 |
Kokoro ni Hiku Ongaku, Kokoro ni kiku Ongaku Shiteki Meikyoku Guide Book (心に訊く音楽、心に効く音楽 私的名曲ガイドブック) | Takahashi | 2012 | Php | ISBN 978-4-569-80640-2 |
Minimally Invasive Surgery Manual | Takahashi | 2019 | Sakakibara Memorial Hospital | ISBN 978-4-924671386 |
Love Together Yukihiro Takahashi 50th Anniversary | Takahashi | 2022 | Kadokawa | ISBN 978-4-04-605829-4 |
Takahashi Yukihiro | collective authors | 2024 | Kawade | ISBN 978-4-30-9980669 |
Magazines
[edit]Title | Author | Release | Magazine name | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|---|
Takahashi Yukihiro Tasaina Romantist no Kiseki (高橋幸宏 多才なロマンティストの軌跡) | collective authors | 2023 | Music[15] | ISBN 978-4-046058294 |
Takahashi Yukihiro Ongakuka no Shouzou (高橋幸宏、音楽家の肖像) | collective authors | 2023 | Sound & Recording[16] | ISBN 9-78-4-845639021 |
Other appearances
[edit]Title | Author | Release | Publisher | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sound & Recording Magazine 2004 January Issue (サウンド アンド レコーディング マガジン 2004年 01月号) (includes special feature of Takahashi and Haruomi Hosono) | collective authors | 2004 | Sound & Recording Magazine | - |
Yurika 2013 March Issue (ユリイカ 2013年10月臨時増刊号) (includes special feature of Takahashi) | collective authors | 2013 | Yurika | ISBN 978-4-791702619 |
Music Magazine 2013 August Issue (ミュージック・マガジン 2013年 8月号) (includes special feature of Takahashi) | collective authors | 2013 | Music Magazine | ISBN 978-4-880635507 |
Soudanshuu Yume no Naka de Aerudeshou (対談集 夢の中で会えるでしょう) (includes interview with Takahashi) | Hiroshi Takano | 2018 | Mile Books | ISBN 978-4-902744-93-4 |
Music Magazine 2023 March Issue (ミュージック・マガジン 2023年 3月号) (includes special feature of Takahashi) | collective authors | 2023 | Music Magazine | 4910084790338 |
References
[edit]- ^ Inaba, Minoru (August 18, 1980). "Computer rock music gaining fans". Sarasota Journal. pp. 11–A. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Risen, Clay (January 18, 2023). "Yukihiro Takahashi, Pioneer of Electronic Pop Music, Dies at 70". The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ "Icehouse duo pen a ballet". The Sydney Morning Herald. September 8, 1985. p. 140. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
- ^ "Synthpop's YMO to Hold 1st L.A. Concert in 32 Years". Anime News Network. January 31, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ "ム › エンタメ › その他 › 記事 YMOメンバーによる新ユニットHASYMOの新曲クリップをお届け!". RBB Today. August 27, 2007. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "高橋ユキヒロ ソロ活動40周年記念「Saravah Saravah!」音源解禁&ジャケット写真 公開!" (Press release) (in Japanese). PR Times. September 21, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ Thiessen, Brock (2020). "YMO's Yukihiro Takahashi Undergoes Surgery to Remove Brain Tumour". exclaim!.
- ^ Nelson, Bill (2020). "YMO's Yukihiro Takahashi Undergoes Surgery to Remove Brain Tumour".
- ^ "高橋幸宏「皆さんに心から感謝」治療全行程が終了". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). October 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ "YMO高橋幸宏さん死去 70歳 20年脳腫瘍摘出 懸命リハビリも". Yahoo! News. January 11, 2023. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ "YMO 高橋幸宏さん死去 70歳 「ライディーン」の作曲手がける". NHK. January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "高橋幸宏の作品". Oricon (in Japanese). December 30, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "高橋幸宏の作品" (in Japanese). Mora. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ "TOKYO MELODY: A FILM ABOUT RYUICHI SAKAMOTO". MUBI. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ^ Name of music magazine, please do not remove it!
- ^ Name of music magazine, please do not remove it!