R.I.P. Yellow Magic Orchestra drummer Yukihiro Takahashi has died, aged 70

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Behind The Mask (1979)

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Yellow Magic Orchestra (1978)

Yellow Magic Orchestra - YMO Live at BUDOKAN (1980)

 

One of the greatest drummers albeit underrated just like clem Burke of blondie. His beats were so exactly on time. RIP

 

Last edited: Jan 22, 2023

I was still a kid (79 or so) and I heard on a (grandma 50's!!!) radio an awesome song, different from most of the time.

It was "Behind the mask" but I wasn't fast enough to catch its title and it took at least five years to get it.
Then I couldn't find anywhere the record, so I had to order it, at last I got it, YMO "For infinite multiplies" album. Joy and satisfaction.

In the above Propaganda tour Takahashi uses a Simmons SDSV, he used a lot also a ULT Sound DS-4.

 

Notice the limousine Takahashi uses for the arrival at Budokan (1:45): a Renault 4!!!
Other times...

 

Rest In Peace...

He is also a pioneer in pioneering new musical genres. (With Ryuichi)
During his lifetime, he said in an interview:

"I'm an ordinary person. I'm just a person who can get along with the rest of the YMO members. Ryuichi and Haruomi are geniuses. I'm the lubricant that will improve their relationship." (YMO members Sakamoto Ryuichi and Hosono Haruomi. Apparently they weren't close.)

That's not the case. He is not an ordinary person.
He is undoubtedly a GENIUS.

↑
It's YMO's signature song.
This is a work composed by Yukihiro.
I'm sure many people have heard it before.

 

It takes a lot to be the drummer of a pioneer electronic music project. Rest in eternal glory!