Heath, the longtime bassist of Japan’s hottest rock group X Japan, has died, the group confirmed at present. He was 55.
The musician died October 29 of colorectal most cancers, in accordance with a press release from the group.
“It’s with nice unhappiness that we announce the passing of X Japan’s esteemed bass participant Heath after his battle with colorectal most cancers, on October twenty ninth, 2023, on the age of 55,” the group stated in a press release. “His most cancers was discovered throughout an examination in June of this yr. Regardless of his efforts to battle the illness, his situation declined abruptly in October, and he took his final breath within the hospital.
“We wish to categorical our heartfelt gratitude to those that cherished Heath all through his lifetime. We, the members of X Japan have personally bid farewell to Heath, however are nonetheless deeply saddened and dismayed by his sudden loss.”
Heath outdoors Madison Sq. Backyard in 2016 (Everett Assortment)
Fashioned in 1982, the single-named members of X Japan grew to become megastars in Asia with their 1989 sophomore album Blue Blood. Heath joined the group in 1992 and performed on its albums Artwork of Life (1993) and Dahlia (1996), each of which topped the Japanese album charts. The group carried out a sold-out farewell present on New 12 months’s Eve 1997 in Tokyo earlier than splitting up.
They re-formed in 2007, and Heath performed bass with the group till his demise.
Born Hiroshi Morie on January 22, 1968, in Amagasaki close to Osaka, Heath pursued a solo profession after X Japan’s ’90s breakup. After releasing his eponymous debut album in 1995, he made a number of different discs by means of 2009. Traitor (1997) made the cracked the highest 40 on the Japanese album chart and was adopted by a pair or post-X Japan units in 1998: Crack Your self and Gang Age Cubist.
In 2000, he shaped Dope Headz with X Japan guitarist Pata and others. That group launched 4 albums in a span of 16 months in 2001-02, all of which charted in Japan.
Anchored by co-founding drummer-pianist-songwriter Yoshiki, the group sells out arenas abroad however — regardless of inking a recording deal Atlantic Information in 1992 — by no means broke out with as a lot success within the U.S.
X Japan’s evolution into glam-metal-pop superstars is laden with as a lot dramatic backstory as any worldwide rock outfit. The group has navigated breakups and the deaths of now three members whereas promoting over 30 million albums and singles world wide. Its glam trend and musical aesthetics had been influential on different bands and kids within the visual-kei rock motion.
Heath and X Japan had been featured in a 2016 documentary, We Are X, directed by Stephen Kijak and produced by Trying to find Sugarman EP John Battsek.
The band made a serious U.S. push through the 2010s, inking a brand new label cope with EMI Music in 2011. That very same yr, Yoshiki hosted Yoshiki Radio, a weekly SiriusXM present that aired on the Ozzy’s Boneyard channel and featured his favourite music whereas spotlighting parts of Japanese popular culture. X Japan made its U.S. live performance debut on the 2010 Lollapalooza tour.
“Heath’s obituary was initially scheduled for launch later in November in accordance along with his household’s needs, however it’s being introduced earlier as a consequence of unwarranted media protection,” the band’s assertion added. “The funeral will probably be held amongst speedy members of the family solely. The household asks that any visits, donations or flowers be withheld. The date of the funeral will stay undisclosed. We recognize your understanding. A proper farewell ceremony for Heath will probably be organized at a later date … in accordance with Heath’s needs as conveyed by his household.”