Renowned Japanese musician and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, keyboardist for the pioneering electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra passed away.
Ryuichi Sakamoto’s age at the time of his death was 71.
His death was announced via his Twitter account, indicating that the artist passed away on March 28th. The statement mentioned Ryuichi Sakamoto’s cause of death as stage 4 rectal cancer.
The statement added that Sakamoto had continued working on new music from his home studio throughout his treatment and had lived with music until the end.
The record label that Sakamoto founded, Commmons, also released a statement expressing their gratitude to fans and medical professionals who supported the musician’s activities and treatment.
The statement included one of Sakamoto’s favorite quotes: “Art is long, life is short.”
According to the label’s statement, Sakamoto’s funeral service was held privately among his close family members in accordance with his wishes.
Sakamoto’s death comes just two months after that of his Yellow Magic Orchestra bandmate, Yukihiro Takahashi, who died at the age of 70.
The passing of both musicians marks the end of an era in Japanese music and culture and has been mourned by fans and fellow artists around the world.
Who was Ryuichi Sakamoto?
Sakamoto was born in Tokyo in 1952 and developed an interest in music at a young age, especially in playing the piano.
He was also fond of the sound of trains and rode them frequently during high school.
After graduating from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, he became one of the founding members of the Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) along with Hosono and Takahashi.
The band started as a project between the three musicians, but it quickly evolved into a renowned music group that promoted electronic music in Japan.
They worked together on Sakamoto’s “Paraiso” album before releasing YMO’s self-titled album in 1978.
How did he rise to fame?
Sakamoto was a founding member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, which was formed in 1978.
Alongside drummer/singer Yukihiro Takahashi and bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Haruomi Hosono, Sakamoto was instrumental in pioneering the use of synths, sequencers, and drum machines and helped to usher in the electro sound of the 1980s.
Sakamoto’s work with Yellow Magic Orchestra was highly influential in the electronic genre and the development of hip-hop in the early 1980s.
His 1980 solo album, B-2 Unit, spawned the electro hit “Riot in Lagos,” which in turn influenced the music of artists like Afrika Bambaataa and Mantronix.
Sakamoto was also known for his collaborations with a range of musicians, including dub legend Dennis Bovell and synthpop singer David Sylvain, as well as his work as a film composer.
He made his big screen debut in the 1983 war film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, which also marked his first film score.
Sakamoto went on to compose music for a range of films, including Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor, for which he won an Academy Award in 1988, and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s The Revenant.
YMO’s first album was well-received in Japan and around the world and is now considered one of the earliest examples of synthpop.
Sakamoto’s “Behind the Mask,” which he composed for YMO’s “Solid State Survivor” album, was covered by several famous artists, including Michael Jackson and Eric Clapton.
In 1981, YMO became the first music act to use a Roland TR-808 drum machine on a recording, which helped them set a record for their album, “BGM.”
In an interview with Criterion in 2017, Sakamoto revealed that he never intended to pursue music professionally and never aspired to be famous.
He stumbled upon his music career when he joined YMO, a move that he took to work with two talented musicians he admired.
Despite this, Sakamoto left an indelible mark on the music industry, and his influence has been recognized by several musicians worldwide.
Was Ryuichi Sakamoto married?
In 1972, Sakamoto married for the first time, but the union lasted only two years, and they eventually divorced. During this marriage, Sakamoto had a daughter.
Later on, in 1982, he tied the knot with Akiko Yano, a renowned Japanese pianist, and singer. Sakamoto and Yano collaborated on several musical projects, including tours with the Yellow Magic Orchestra.
They raised a daughter named Miu Sakamoto, who became a successful J-pop singer. Unfortunately, their marriage came to an end in 2006 after 14 years of living together.
Following his divorce from Yano, Sakamoto married Norika Sora, who also served as his manager.
Together, they had two children. For most of the 90s until 2020, Sakamoto resided primarily in New York City. However, he returned to his hometown of Tokyo in 2020.
Ryuichi Sakamoto Wife
Ryuichi Sakamoto’s second wife, Akiko Yano, a prominent Japanese pianist, singer, and songwriter, is grieving the loss of her ex-husband.
Yano shared her deep sorrow in a statement released to the media and expressed her gratitude to Sakamoto’s fans and supporters for their condolences and encouragement during this difficult time.
She added that Ryuichi Sakamoto would always hold a special place in her heart.
Yano grew up in Aomori, Japan, and became famous in the 1970s and 1980s for her distinctive blend of Japanese pop and Western music.
She was previously married to Makoto Yano, the producer of her debut album, but they divorced soon after. Yano and Makoto have a son named Fuuta Yano, who was born in 1975.
Yano’s second marriage was to Ryuichi Sakamoto, with whom she collaborated musically before tying the knot in 1982.
Together, they raised one daughter, Miu Sakamoto, who is also a well-known J-pop singer in Japan. However, after living separately for 14 years, Akiko and Ryuichi’s marriage ended in divorce in August 2006.
Despite their separation, Yano and Sakamoto maintained a strong professional relationship and continued to collaborate on music throughout their lives.
Sakamoto’s passing has undoubtedly affected Yano, but his legacy will continue to inspire and influence music lovers worldwide.
Ryuichi Sakamoto Net worth
According to various sources such as All Famous Birthday, it was estimated that Ryuichi Sakamoto had a net worth of approximately $5 million prior to his passing.
