Yoshiki (musician)
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| Yoshiki | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Yoshiki Hayashi | |
| Born | November 20, 1965 (age 41) | |
| Origin |  Tateyama, Japan |
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| Genre(s) | Pop, rock, metal, classical | |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer, pianist, songwriter, producer | |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, piano | |
| Years active | 1980s – present | |
| Associated acts |
Globe, V2, Violet UK, X Japan | |
| Website | www.yoshiki.net | |
Yoshiki Hayashi (林 佳樹 Hayashi Yoshiki?, born November 20, 1965 in Tateyama, Japan) is a Japanese musician, songwriter and producer. Throughout his professional career usually referred to by his given name only, he is primarily known for co-founding the popular rock band X Japan, for which he played drums and piano, along with writing most of the music.
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[edit] Biography
Yoshiki formed X Japan with vocalist Toshimitsu Deyama in 1982. Four years later, he founded his own independent label, Extasy Records, in order to issue the band's music.[1] Their breakthrough came in 1989 with the release of the Blue Blood album. After three more albums and several tours, the group broke up in 1997 but releases of arranged material and reissues continue until today.[1]
Aside from his work with the group, Yoshiki has also collaborated with several noted artists such as Queen drummer Roger Taylor,[2] Beatles producer George Martin[3][4] and various others on the international Kiss tribute album Kiss My Ass.[5] As a producer, he has provided several bands with first time recording contracts through Extasy Records, i.e. Luna Sea, Glay and Zi:Kill.[6]
After X Japan disbanded, his next major endeavor was expected to become Violet UK, but the release of a debut album has since been postponed repeatedly. Beside a symphonic concert performed in 2002 and released on DVD in 2005 (which contained arrangements of old X Japan songs along with music supposedly created for Violet UK), no major publication of the project has yet surfaced.[7]
Yoshiki remains active as a producer, like for the bands Dir en grey[8] and TRAX [9][10] and has also briefly joined the pop band Globe.[11] More recently, he has contributed the theme song for the Expo 2005,[12] provided music for the movie Catacombs[13] and announced an upcoming collaboration with pop/rock artist Gackt and former Luna Sea guitarist Sugizo.[14][15]
[edit] Instrumental Gear
Drums: Yoshiki used a custom Artstar II "Titan Body" drumset with Zildjian cymbals. The layout consisted of one 10in. x 10in. Tom-Tom, one 11in. x 12in. Tom-Tom, one 12in. x 13in. Tom-Tom, one 13in. x 14in. Tom-Tom, one 16in. x 16in. Floor Tom-Tom, one 16in. x 18in. Floor Tom-Tom, one 6 1/2in. x 14in. Steel Snare Drum, two 16 x 24 Bass Drums, one 20in. Ride Cymbal, one 14in. Hi-Hat, two 20in. China Cymbals, and three 18 in. Crash Cymbals
Piano: Yoshiki played a Crystal II Glad Grand Piano CR-40A. The piano had 88 keys at 7 1/4 octaves with 3 pedals. The piano also had an Aliquot system with fine ivory white keys and fine ebony black keys. The piano has a translucent acrylic resin use and a private chair attachment. The piano had a height of 39 inches, a frontage of 58.5 inches, a depth of 72.2 inches, and a weight of 935 pounds. [1]
Yoshiki also has a custom Kawai Yoshiki Model piano. The specifications of the piano are unknown at this point.
[edit] Discography
Albums
- Yoshiki Selection (December 12, 1991)
- Eternal Melody (April 21, 1993)
- A Music Box For Fantasy (July 25, 1993)
- Yoshiki Selection II (April 11, 1996)
- Eternal Melody II (March 23, 2005)
Singles
- "Haitoku no Hitomi (背徳の瞳?) ~Eyes of Venus~ / Virginity" (with V2, January 19, 1992)
- "Amethyst" (November 3, 1993)
- "Ima wo Dakishimete (今を抱きしめて)" (with Noa, November 3, 1993)
- "Rain" (with Glay, May 25, 1994)
- "Foreign Sand" (with Roger Taylor, June 1, 1994)
- "Moment" (with Hideki Saijo, August 6, 1997)
- "Begin" (with Shoko Kitano, June 23, 1998)
- "Bara to Midori (薔薇と緑)" (with Shoko Kitano, October 28, 1998)
- "Shinku no Hana (深紅の花)" (with Shizuka Kudo, November 8, 2000)
- "I'll Be Your Love" (with Dahlia, Expo 2005 theme song, October 29, 2003)
- "Scorpio" (with TRAX, December 15, 2004)
- "Rhapsody" (with TRAX, April 20, 2005)
- "Sex and Religion" (with Violet UK, December 19, 2005)
Videography
- V2 Special Live Virginity 1991.12.5 (March 25, 1992)
- Anniversary (May 18, 2000)
- Symphonic Concert 2002.12.4 with Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra feat. Violet UK (March 30, 2005)
Compilations by various artists
- Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved (June 21, 1994)
- Tribute Spirits (May 1, 1999)
- Ai Chikyu-haku presents Love the Earth (March 30, 2005)
X Japan
Globe
[edit] References
- ^ a b Seida, Linda. "X-Japan > Biography". All Music Guide. Retrieved January 20, 2007.
- ^ "Foreign Sand" release information. queenpicturehall.com.
- ^ Eternal Melody release information. cdjapan.co.jp.
- ^ Article on Hideto Matsumoto's death. nytimes.com.
- ^ Kiss My Ass release information. kissfaq.com.
- ^ Extasy Records company history. extasyrecords.co.jp.
- ^ Symphonic Concert 2002 release information. cdjapan.co.jp.
- ^ Gauze, July 28, 1999.
- ^ "Scorpio" release information. cdjapan.co.jp.
- ^ "Rhapsody" release information. cdjapan.co.jp.
- ^ Globe profile. avexnet.or.jp.
- ^ Information on the Expo 2005. expo2005.or.jp.
- ^ Credits for Catacombs. imdb.com.
- ^ Interview with Yoshiki. jmusiceuropa.com.
- ^ News report regarding possible Sugizo involvement. sponichi.co.jp.
[edit] External links
| X Japan |
| Members |
|---|
| Toshi | Hide | Pata | Heath | Yoshiki | Taiji |
| Discography |
| Studio albums: Vanishing Vision | Blue Blood | Jealousy | Art of Life | Dahlia |
| Singles: I'll Kill You | Orgasm | Kurenai | Endless Rain | Week End | Silent Jealousy | Standing Sex | Say Anything | Tears | Rusty Nail | Longing | Forever Love | Crucify My Love | Dahlia | Scars | The Last Song |
| Related articles |
| Extasy Records | Hide with Spread Beaver | Violet UK |
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