Takahashi, Yukihiro (6th June 1952-Present)

He was a singer and drummer born in Japan.

After starting out on his professional career he became a member of the Satistic Mika Band who became internationally known after they had been on a tour of the UK and also recorded there. The group disbanded but he went on to form The Sadistics with several other members and with them he recorded several albums.

Taking time out for his solo career in 1977 he recorded his Saravah, but in 1978 he got together with Haruomi Hosono and Ryuichi Sakamoto to establish the successful Yellow Magic Orchestra who would chart in the UK with their electropop “Theme from Invaders/Firecracker”.

They went their own ways sometime around 1985 and he went back to his solo career and recorded many albums that were initially meant for the market in his home country.

Having gained quite a following he was sought after to work with other artists outside of Japan and he would soon be seen working in collaboration with artists such as Robin Scott (M) on his Famous Last Words album, Steve Jansen, who he duetted with on a single and EP, Phil Manzanera and Andy MacKay from Roxy Music, Bill Nelson, Keiichi Suzuki and Iva Davies of Ice House.

Re-uniting and recording new material with both the Yellow Magic Orchestra and the Sadista Mika Band, he followed on by going into a duo with Haruomi Hosono called Sketch Show. They have released at least two albums to date with Loophole gaining a UK release.

Appearing on numerous albums he released at least 32 solo full-length recordings that include Ego, Neuromantic, Blue Moon Blue and A Ray of Hope, and at least 20 solo singles.

As an actor he appeared in six Japanese films to date and composed for a further three.

He had surgery to remove a brain tunour in 2020 and died of aspiration pneumonia in January 2023 when he was 70 years old.

Sources:

Takahashi, Yukihiro (6th June 1952-Present)

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