Yukihiro Takahashi, Drummer, Electronic music pioneer, lead vocalist of Yellow Magic Orchestra dies at 70

Yukihiro Takahashi left us, but his music is still with us.

According to a statement made late Saturday, a famous Japanese musician who was a founding member of the well-known electronic band Yellow Magic Orchestra has passed away. He was in his 70s.

The announcement omitted to mention the cause of death. In the summer of 2020, Takahashi underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour, and he tweeted a year later that he anticipated receiving additional treatment.

Takahashi battled pneumonia at the beginning of this year, according to Japanese press reports, and passed away last week.

Takahashi, a 1952 Tokyo native, started out as a session drummer while still a high school student. After being hired in 1972 to play drums in the Sadistic Mika Band, he experienced success.

Both in Japan and abroad, particularly in the U.K., where the band performed on the BBC's "Old Grey Whistle Test" show in 1975, that rock band's foursome received high appreciation from critics.