X Japan

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X Japan is the most successful rock group in Japanese history. Led by composer, drummer, and pianist Yoshiki, the band has sold more than 30 million albums, singles, and videos combined, sold out Japan’s 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome 18 times, and played to millions of fans around the world. In the band’s early days, their look and sound sparked a global interest in the Japanese cultural rock phenomenon “Visual-Kei”, a movement X Japan pioneered that spread worldwide.

In 1997, at the height of their success, the band broke up. Four months later, Hide, X Japan’s original lead guitarist, was found dead in his Tokyo apartment. At his funeral, more than 50,000 fans came to mourn his passing. In early 2007, Yoshiki and vocalist Toshl reunited, and later that year X Japan officially reformed.

Members: • YOSHIKI - Yoshiki Hayashi [林佳樹] (b. Nov 20, 1965) – drums, piano, keyboard (1982–1997, 2007–present) • Toshl - Toshimitsu Deyama [出山利三] (b. Oct 10, 1965) – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, occasional drums (1982–1997, 2007–present) • PATA - Tomoaki Ishizuka [石塚智昭] (b. Nov 4, 1965) – guitar, backing vocals (1987–1997, 2007–present) • SUGIZO - Yuune Sugihara [杉原有音] (b. Jul 8, 1969) – violin, guitar (2009–present) as a touring musician (2008–2009) • HIDE* - Hideto Matsumoto [松本秀人] (Dec 13, 1964 - May 2, 1998) – guitar, backing vocals (1987–1997; died 1998) • TAIJI* - Taiji Sawada [沢田泰司] (Jul 12, 1966 - Jul 17, 2011) – bass guitar, backing vocals (1985, 1986–1992; died 2011) • HEATH - Hiroshi Morie [森江博] (Jan 22, 1968 - Oct 29, 2023) - bass (1992–1997, 2007–2023; his death)

Former Members: • TERRY - Yuji Izumisawa [泉沢裕二] – guitar (1982–1985, died 2002) • TOMO - Tomoyuki Ogata [オガタトモユキ] – guitar (1984–1985) • ATSUSHI - Atsushi Tokuo [德應淳] – bass guitar (1984–1985) • EDDIE - Kenichi Koide [小出健一] – guitar (1985) • HALLY - Yoshifumi Yoshida [吉田良文] – guitar (1985) • JUN/SHU - Hisashi Takai [高井寿] – guitar (1985, 1986) • ZEN/XENON - Kazuaki Mita [三田一光] – guitar (1985–1986) • HIKARU - Hikaru Utaka [宇高光] – bass guitar (1985–1986) • KERRY - Masanori Takahashi [高橋雅則] – guitar (1986) • SATORU - Satoru Inoue (井上悟, Inoue Satoru) – guitar (1986) • ISAO - Isao Hori (堀功, Hori Isao) – guitar (1987)

*Although Hide and Taiji are deceased, the band still considers them members and introduces them at every concert, with the group going as far as to play audio/video clips of their voice/guitar for some songs.