R.I.P. Yukihiro Takahashi

Drummer/vocalist of Yellow Magic Orchestra, as well as a very prolific solo artist. I didn't find details (yet) on any English-language web site, but according to Wikipedia, he died today of brain cancer, at the age of 70.

Another tragic end, and it's felt like there have been many crucial musician dyings in the last month and that will only accelerate going forward. I'm afraid my blog will become simply obits. I had not been aware that he had brain tumor issues dating back two years, otherwise this would not have felt as out of the blue as it did. I am shamefully lax on the YMO in my collection. It's always been a sticking point with me.

Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

[postpunkmonk.com]
For further rumination on the Fresh New Sound of Yesterday®

I don’t know their work very well, but I do know that they famously appeared on Soul Train and had a very positive relationship with American R&B. Sparks also tweeted some very appreciative photos of their past interactions with YMO.

I first heard YMO when the "urban" station in Orlando, WOKB-AM jumped on "Computer Game" in 1980. The next year it was the first time I'd heard Kraftwerk on the radio since 1974 and "Autobahn" when they were playing tracks from "Computerworld." The R+B/electro connection was fierce.

Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

[postpunkmonk.com]
For further rumination on the Fresh New Sound of Yesterday®

Sadly, his old bandmate Ryuichi Sakamoto may soon follow.

https://www.nme.com/news/music/ryuichi-sakamoto-plays-what-may-be-his-last-concert-following-cancer-diagnosis-3370077