# Yukihiro Takahashi

Yukihiro Takahashi (Japanese: 高橋 幸宏, Hepburn: Takahashi Yukihiro, June 6, 1952 – January 11, 2023) was a Japanese musician, singer, record producer, fashion designer, and actor, who was best known internationally as the drummer, lead vocalist, & 2nd keyboardist of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, as the former drummer of the Sadistic Mika Band, and as the drummer & backing vocalist of the Sadistics. He was also a member of the groups: the Beatniks (w/ Keiichi Suzuki), Sketch Show (w/ Haruomi Hosono), & Metafive (w/ Towa Tei etc.).

## Career

Takahashi first came to prominence as the drummer of the Sadistic Mika Band in the early 1970s, and became known to western audiences after this band (led by Kazuhiko Katō, formerly of The Folk Crusaders) toured and recorded in the United Kingdom. After the Sadistic Mika Band disbanded, some of the members (including Takahashi) formed another band called The Sadistics, who released several albums. Takahashi recorded his first solo album, Saravah, in 1977. In 1978, Takahashi joined Ryuichi Sakamoto and Haruomi Hosono to form the Yellow Magic Orchestra.
Throughout the 1980s, Takahashi also released a large number of solo albums primarily intended for the Japanese market. Takahashi collaborated extensively with other musicians, including Bill Nelson, Iva Davies of Icehouse, Keiichi Suzuki of the Moonriders (often as a duo dubbed "The Beatniks", although Suzuki essentially functioned as a member of Takahashi's backing band during the Moonriders' brief hiatus) and in particular Steve Jansen. Takahashi released a single Stay Close and an EP Pulse as a duo with Jansen.
Takahashi helped compose the soundtrack to the anime series Nadia: Secret of the Blue Water in 1989, including the song "Families". Takahashi participated in temporary reunions of both the Sadistic Mika Band (minus the lead vocalist Mika, who was replaced by Kaela Kimura), and The Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). Both of these reunions included tours of Japan and an album of new material.
In the early 2000s, Takahashi became a member of the duo Sketch Show, with Haruomi Hosono. Sketch Show released two albums, one of which, Loophole, was released in the UK. Both Takahashi and Hosono reunited with Sakamoto as HASYMO – a combination of Human Audio Sponge and Yellow Magic Orchestra. This collaboration produced a single, "Rescue", in 2007. Takahashi released the solo album Life Anew on July 17, 2013, as well as anniversary and live albums. His later work included Saravah, Saravah! (2018), a remastered reboot of his solo debut album which, along with re-recorded vocals, featured appearances by Sakamoto, Hosono and other musicians.

## Personal life

Takahashi was born in Tokyo, and began playing music from an early age. He was married to Emiko Takahashi (1980-1992) & Kiyomi Takahashi (1993-2023).

### Health and death

Takahashi suffered from headaches from the beginning of summer 2020. While Takahashi initially thought that these were migraines, he finally underwent an MRI scan. It was discovered that the headaches were the result of a brain tumor. On August 13, 2020, Takahashi underwent surgery to remove the tumor; he announced that there were no after effects and that he would devote himself to treatment. On October 20, 2020, Takahashi announced through his social media that he had completed his course of treatment following the surgery.
On January 11, 2023, Takahashi died in Karuizawa, Nagano, from aspiration pneumonia, a complication of the brain tumor. He was 70.

## Discography
### Albums
#### Studio albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Saravah! | Released: 21 June 1978 Label: King Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Murdered by the Music | Released: 21 June 1980 Label: King Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | 12 |
| Neuromantic | Released: 24 May 1981 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | 21 |
| What, Me Worry? | Released: 21 June 1982 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | 35 |
| Tomorrow's Just Another Day | Released: 25 August 1983 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | 11 |
| Wild and Moody | Released: 10 November 1984 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | 13 |
| Once a Fool | Released: 1 November 1985 Label: Canyon Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | 11 |
| Only When I Laugh | Released: 21 August 1986 Label: Canyon Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | 24 |
| Ego | Released: 16 November 1988 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | 16 |
| Broadcast from Heaven | Released: 4 April 1990 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | 11 |
| A Day in the Next Life | Released: 20 March 1991 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 37 |
| Life Time Happy Time | Released: 18 March 1992 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 22 |
| Mr YT | Released: 16 November 1994 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 33 |
| Fate of Gold | Released: 25 October 1995 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 49 |
| Portrait with No Name | Released: 13 November 1996 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 49 |
| A Sigh of Ghost | Released: 19 September 1997 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 99 |
| A Ray of Hope | Released: 18 March 1998 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| The Dearest Fool | Released: 20 October 1999 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 88 |
| Blue Moon Blue | Released: 15 March 2006 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 93 |
| Page by Page | Released: 11 March 2009 Label: Emi Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 56 |
| Life Anew | Released: 17 July 2013 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 40 |

#### Compilation albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| The Brand New Day | Released: 28 November 1985 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| The Best Way | Released: 21 May 1993 Label: Pony Canyon Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| I'm Not in Love: The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi 1988–1995 | Released: 7 June 1995 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 36 |
| Yukihiro Takahashi Collection – Singles and More 1988–1996 | Released: 25 February 1998 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Colors: Best of YT Cover Tracks Vol. 1 | Released: 17 June 1999 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Colors: Best of YT Cover Tracks Vol. 2 | Released: 7 July 1999 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| A Dog Smiled: Yukihiro Takahashi Best Selection '97–'99 | Released: 20 November 2002 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Turning the Pages of Life: The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi in Alfa Years 1981–1985 | Released: 11 March 2009 Label: Sony Music Direct Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 113 |
| Turning the Pages of Life: The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi in Alfa Years 1988–1996 | Released: 11 March 2009 Label: EMI Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 211 |
| Grand Espoir | Released: 27 October 2021 Label: Sony Music Direct Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 65 |
| The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi (EMI Years 1988–2013) | Released: 27 October 2023 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 37 |

#### Self-cover albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Heart of Hurt | Released: 27 January 1993 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 28 |
| Saravah, Saravah! | Released: 21 May 2018 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming | 29 |

#### Live albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Time and Place | Released: 27 January 1984 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, Cassette tape | 13 |
| A Night in the Next Life | Released: 27 January 1991 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD | 74 |
| Run After You | Released: 18 September 1998 Label: Consipio Formats: CD | - |
| A Night in the Next Life – Perfect Premium Discs | Released: 11 March 2009 Label: EMI Music Japan Formats: CD | 300 |
| Heart of Hurt Live 2014 – Seas of Seeds | Released: 23 August 2015 Label: Nishi Azabu Formats: CD | - |
| Saravah Saravah! – Yukihiro Takahashi Live 2018 | Released: 21 August 2019 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD+DVD, LP | 46 |
| It's Gonna Work Out – Live 82–83 | Released: 14 September 2022 Label: Sony Music Direct Formats: CD+BD | 18 |

#### Soundtracks

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Poisson d'Avril | Released: 25 April 1985 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, Cassette tape | 28 |
| La Pensee | Released: 21 May 1987 Label: Canyon Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD | 60 |
| The Adventures of Gaku | Released: 21 May 1991 Label: Toshiba Emi Formats: CD | - |
| Umi Sora Sango no Iitsutae | Released: 25 January 1992 Label: Consipio Formats: CD | - |
| Ahiru no Uta ga Kikoete Kuru yo | Released: 30 August 1993 Label: Consipio Formats: CD | - |
| Shizukana Ayashii Gogo ni | Released: 10 November 1996 Label: Consipio Formats: CD | - |
| The Show vol.6 Yohji Yamamoto Collection Music | Released: 10 December 1996 Label: Consipio Formats: CD | - |

#### Collaboration albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Pulse:Pulse (with Steve Jansen) | Released: 1998 Label: Medium Productions Limited Formats: CD | - |
| Techno Recital (with Metafive) | Released: 2014 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD | 43 |
| Phase (with In Phase) | Released: 2014 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD | 45 |

#### Remix albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Fool on Earth | Released: 2000 Label: Consipio Formats: CD | - |

#### Box sets

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Yukihiro Takahashi in T.E.N.T Years 1985–1987 | Released: 16 March 2016 Label: Canyon Formats: CD+DVD | 39 |

### Singles

| Year | Album | Chart positions (JP) | Label |
| 1978 | "C'est Si Bon"/"La Rosa" | - | King |
| 1980 | "Murdered by the Music" | - | King |
| 1980 | "Blue Colour Worker" | - | King |
| 1983 | "Are You Receiving Me?" | 91 | Alfa |
| 1983 | "Maebure" | 50 | Alfa |
| 1985 | "Poisson D'Avril" | - | Alfa |
| 1986 | "Kyou no Sora" | - | Canyon |
| 1988 | "Look of Love" | - | Toshiba Emi |
| 1990 | "1 percent no Kankei" | 50 | Toshiba Emi |
| 1990 | "Xmas Day in the Next Life" | 55 | Toshiba Emi |
| 1991 | "Stronger Than Iron" | 52 | Toshiba Emi |
| 1991 | "Genki Nara Ureshiine" | 88 | Toshiba Emi |
| 1992 | "Sutekina Hito" | 74 | Toshiba Emi |
| 1994 | "Aozora" | - | Toshiba Emi |
| 1995 | "Seiippai No Hohoemi" | 79 | Toshiba Emi |
| 1995 | "Saenai Kimochi" | - | Toshiba Emi |
| 1996 | "Na mo nai Renai" | - | Toshiba Emi |
| 1997 | "A Touch of Fine" | - | Consipio |
| 2013 | "C'Est Si Bon" | - | Hints Music |

#### Digital singles

| Year | Single |
| 2000 | "A Dog Smiles" |
| 2006 | "BMBATASG" |
| 2006 | "BMBATASG/E" |
| 2006 | "Blue Moon Blue" |
| 2006 | "Something New - ASG Live" |
| 2009 | "The Words" |
| 2009 | "Out There" |
| 2013 | "All That We Know" |

#### Collaboration singles

| Year | Album | Chart positions (JP) | Label |
| 1985 | "Stay Close" (夏ざかりほの字組) with Steve Jansen | 68 | Canyon |
| 1995 | "Watermelon" with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra | 85 | Toshiba Emi |
| 2003 | "Something" with Tsuyoshi Kawakami | - | Cutting Edge |
| 2011 | "The Burning Plain" with Towa Tei and Kiko Mizuhara | - | Mach |
| 2013 | "Radio" with Towa Tei and Tina Tamashiro | - | Universal Music Japan |
| 2014 | "Split Spirit" Metafive | - | Flying Dog |

## Videography
### Live video albums

| | Release | Title | Format | Serial Number | Chart |
| Apollon Music Industrial ||||||
| 1st | 18 November 1983 | Boys Will Be Boys | VHS | 12H-1102 | |
| 1st | 18 November 1983 | Boys Will Be Boys | Betamax | 12B-1101 | |
| Alfa Records ||||||
| 2nd | 21 December 1984 | A Fragment | VHS | 10AV-2 | |
| 2nd | 21 December 1984 | A Fragment | Betamax | 10AT-2 | |
| 3rd | 21 March 1985 | Shin Ao Nen | VHS | 98H-1126 | |
| 3rd | 21 March 1985 | Shin Ao Nen | Betamax | 98B-1126 | |
| Ppony ||||||
| 4th | 24 November 1986 | Japan Tour '86 | VHS | V98M-1443 | |
| 4th | 24 November 1986 | Japan Tour '86 | Betamax | X98-1443 | |
| 4th | 24 November 1986 | Japan Tour '86 | LD | G88M-0157 | |
| Toshiba Emi ||||||
| 5th | 5 December 1990 | A La Vie Prochaine | VHS | TOVF-7017 | |
| 5th | 5 December 1990 | A La Vie Prochaine | LD | TOMF-7017 | |
| Universal Music Japan ||||||
| 6th | 26 June 2013 | One Fine Night: 60th Anniversary Live | BD+CD | TOXF-5776 | 47 |
| 6th | 26 June 2013 | One Fine Night: 60th Anniversary Live | DVD+CD | TOBF-5776 | 80 |

## Filmography

* A Y.M.O. Film Propaganda (1984)
* Tenkoku ni ichiban chikai shima (1984) – Katsuki Jirô
* Tokyo Melody
* Shigatsu no sakana (1986) – Nemoto Shôhei
* The Discarnates (1988)
* Otoko wa sore gaman dekinai (2006)
* 20th Century Boys 3: Redemption (2009) – Billy
* Norwegian Wood (2010) – Gatekeeper
* Labyrinth of Cinema (2020)

## Video games

* Ginga no Sannin (1987, Nintendo)
* Sangokushi: Eiketsu Tenka ni Nozomu (1991, Naxat)
* The Journey Home: Quest for the Throne (1993, Telenet Japan)
* FantaStep (1997, Jaleco)
* T kara Hajimaru Monogatari (1998, Jaleco) - Main Theme

## Publications
### Books

| Title | Author | Release | Publisher | ISBN |
| Iji no Chi (偉人の血) | Yukihiro Takahashi, Keiichi Suzuki | 1985 | Palco | ISBN 4-89194-097-2 |
| Inu no Seikatsu (犬の生活) | Takahashi | 1989 | Jicc | ISBN 4-88063-550-2 |
| Hitode no Kyuujitsu (ヒトデの休日) | Takahashi | 1992 | Jicc | ISBN 4-7966-0292-5 |
| Catchy & Release (キャッチ&リリース) | Takahashi | 1997 | Daiei | ISBN 4-88682-616-4 |
| Kokoro ni Hiku Ongaku, Kokoro ni kiku Ongaku Shiteki Meikyoku Guide Book (心に訊く音楽、心に効く音楽 私的名曲ガイドブック) | Takahashi | 2012 | Php | ISBN 978-4-569-80640-2 |
| Minimally Invasive Surgery Manual | Takahashi | 2019 | Sakakibara Memorial Hospital | ISBN 978-4-924671386 |
| Love Together Yukihiro Takahashi 50th Anniversary | Takahashi | 2022 | Kadokawa | ISBN 978-4-04-605829-4 |
| Takahashi Yukihiro | collective authors | 2024 | Kawade | ISBN 978-4-30-9980669 |

### Magazines

| Title | Author | Release | Magazine name | ISBN |
| Takahashi Yukihiro Tasaina Romantist no Kiseki (高橋幸宏 多才なロマンティストの軌跡) | collective authors | 2023 | Music | ISBN 978-4-046058294 |
| Takahashi Yukihiro Ongakuka no Shouzou (高橋幸宏、音楽家の肖像) | collective authors | 2023 | Sound & Recording | ISBN 9-78-4-845639021 |

### Other appearances

| Title | Author | Release | Publisher | ISBN |
| Sound & Recording Magazine 2004 January Issue (サウンド アンド レコーディング マガジン 2004年 01月号) (includes special feature of Takahashi and Haruomi Hosono) | collective authors | 2004 | Sound & Recording Magazine | - |
| Yurika 2013 March Issue (ユリイカ 2013年10月臨時増刊号) (includes special feature of Takahashi) | collective authors | 2013 | Yurika | ISBN 978-4-791702619 |
| Music Magazine 2013 August Issue (ミュージック・マガジン 2013年 8月号) (includes special feature of Takahashi) | collective authors | 2013 | Music Magazine | ISBN 978-4-880635507 |
| Soudanshuu Yume no Naka de Aerudeshou (対談集 夢の中で会えるでしょう) (includes interview with Takahashi) | Hiroshi Takano | 2018 | Mile Books | ISBN 978-4-902744-93-4 |
| Music Magazine 2023 March Issue (ミュージック・マガジン 2023年 3月号) (includes special feature of Takahashi) | collective authors | 2023 | Music Magazine | 4910084790338 |