Yukihiro Takahashi Passes Away

Yukihiro Takahashi, best known as the drummer and vocalist of influential electronic trio Yellow Magic Orchestra, has passed away. He was 70.

Takahashi first found fame in the early 1970s, drumming for rock quintet Sadistic Mika Band. He co-founded Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978, releasing seven albums in their initial six-year run plus the 1993 reunion album, Technodon.

He kept up a prolific solo career alongside his band commitments and other activities, releasing 21 album between 1978’s Saravah! and 2013’s Life Anew.

Arguably Takahashi's most notable late-career venture was his inter-generational supergroup METAFIVE. Originally formed for a single performance in 2014, the band ended up releasing two full-length albums.

Takahashi had been contending with brain cancer since 2020, when he underwent surgery to remove a tumour. He undertook further treatment the following year.

JaME would like to extend our condolences to Yukihiro Takahashi's family and colleagues.