高橋 幸宏 (Yukihiro Takahashi)
June 6, 1952 – January 11, 2023
Born in June 6, 1952 in Meguro, Tokyo and debuting in 1972, through Sadistic Mika Band, his solo debut album "Saravah!" (1978), paved the way for him, Haroumi Hosono, and Ryuichi Sakamoto to form Yellow Magic Orchestra, or known as YMO.
Takahashi helped YMO in being the drummer of the trio, except he was a vocalist too. This was during the time a drummer was treated like other members of the band.
He also had a sense in fashion which he designed Ryuchi Sakamoto's clothes in "Thousand Knives", and during YMO's "Solid State Survivor" days, they wore Mao-inspired red suit, with Takahashi wearing the red star hat.
He continued his solo acts like other members after they disbanded in 1983, but reunited in 1993 as YMO or Not YMO for "Technodon", since Alfa previously owned rights to the name.
He released albums such as "Neuromantic" (1981), "Once a Fool..." (1985), and "Blue Moon Blue" (2006).
In 2002, he reunited with Haroumi Hosono as Audio Sponge, releasing "Sketch Show", then Ryuichi Sakamoto joined, touring as Human Audio Sponge/HASYMO from 2002 - 2007.
In 2008, they regained the rights to the "Yellow Magic Orchestra" name and would perforom from 2008 - 2012.
He formed groups such as The Beatniks (with Keiichi Suzuki of Moonriders) in 1981, and formed METAFIVE in 2014, but due to the controversy of Cornelius, he left in 2020, then they were disbanded in 2022.
He was diagnosed with brain tumor in 2020, having his tumor removed on August 13, 2020 until he completed his treatment on October 20, 2020.
He passed away in January 11, 2023, due to aspiration pneumonia. His death was announced in January 15, 2023.
His last album was "Saravah Saravah!" in 2018, which is a re-recording of his debut album.
Arigato, Takahashi-san, see you in the sunset...