Latest News

Golden Globe Theme
X Japan Asian Tour Reviews
Bejing Concert Cancelled
X Japan Conquers Latin America
X Japan Setlists/Pics Latin America
Asia Concert Dates
X Japan Euro Tour Review
Jade Release in Asia
Unveiling Blood Red Dragon
X Japan in Europe
Japan Expo
Jade Release Date June 28
X Japan - #1 in iTunes Japan
Theme Song for Osamu Tezuka
 

News Archive

Click here to view the archived News

 

Yoshiki to compose Golden Globe Theme

JAPANESE MUSIC SUPERSTAR YOSHIKI TO COMPOSE
THEME FOR 2012 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS®

HOLLYWOOD, CA, January 5, 2012 - Yoshiki, the classically trainedmulti-instrumentalist and leader of one of Japan's most successful rock groups, X-Japan, will compose the theme for this year's Golden Globe® Awards show. The announcement was made today by Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) president Dr. Aida Takla-O'Reilly and dick clark productions (dcp) executive vice president, television, Barry Adelman. The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards airs internationally in more than190 countries (please check local listings). In the U.S., it will be broadcast LIVE coast-to-coast on NBC on Sunday, January 15, 2012, with the pre-show from 4:00-5:00p.m. (PST)/7:00-8:00p.m. (EST), and main telecast from 5:00-8:00 (PST)/8:00pm-11:00p.m., (EST), hosted by Ricky Gervais from the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

"Yoshiki is a world-renowned musician and composer of enormous talent and versatility, who in addition to being a rock superstar has composed for film and television," said Takla-O'Reilly. "As an international organization dedicated to creative achievements, the HFPA is delighted to have a global musical artist of Yoshiki's stature create the theme for the show."

Added Adelman, "We look forward to incorporating Yoshiki's music into the production of the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards."

"The Golden Globe Awards are extremely prestigious, but the show is also edgy," said Yoshiki, who attended the awards presentation for the first time last year.

"I'm a classical pianist and a rock drummer, so it was natural to create something beautiful that also has an edge."

Produced by dick clark productions in association with the HFPA, the Golden Globe Awards are viewed in more than 190 countries worldwide. The 2011 "Golden Globe Awards" earned the event's biggest overall audience (17 million) since 2007.

About Yoshiki
Yoshiki, considered Asia's most influential music artist and biggest rock icon, is also a songwriter, drummer, and a classically-trained pianist. His rock group X Japan has sold 30 million singles and albums combined and filled the 55,000-seat Toyko Dome a record 18 times. Now the band's popularity is spreading throughout the world, having recently completed a sold-out World Tour, performing in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. In 1999, Yoshiki composed a piano concerto and performed it with a 77-piece orchestra to celebrate the 10th year of the Emperor of Japan's reign. In 2005, Yoshiki composed the theme song and conducted the Super World Orchestra at the opening ceremony of the World Expo. Previously,Yoshiki recorded a classical album co-produced and arranged by acclaimed Beatles producer Sir George Martin and performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Beyond music, Yoshiki has his own Visa Card and MasterCard issued by one of the largest Japanese banks. Recently, the legendary Stan Lee created a Super Hero based on him, and for the first time, a Hello Kitty product line is named after a person ­ "Yoshikitty." In 2010, he launched his non-profit organization Yoshiki Foundation America , which continues to donate to various charitable organizations, including supporting Japanese Earthquake victims.

About the Hollywood Foreign Press Association
Founded in the 1940s during World War II, the HFPA was originally comprised of a handful of Los Angeles-based overseas journalists who sought to bridge the international community with Hollywood, and to provide distraction from the hardships of war through film. Sixty-eight years later, members of the HFPA represent 55 countries with a combined readership of 250 million in some of the world's most respected publications. Each year, the organization holds the third most watched awards show on television, the Golden Globe Awards, which has enabled the organization to donate more than $12 million to entertainment related charities and scholarship programs. For more information, please visit www.goldenglobes.org, and follow us on Twitter (@goldenglobes) and Facebook for exclusive celebrity videos and up to the minute Golden Globes news!


About dick clark productions
Founded in 1957, dick clark productions, inc. (dcp) is a leading independent producer of television programming. dcp produces perennial hits such as the "American Music Awards," "Golden Globe Awards," "Academy of Country Music Awards," and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." dcp also produces popular weekly television programming, including "So You Think You Can Dance," and owns and maintains one of the world's most unique and extensive entertainment libraries, which includes more than 30 years of "American Bandstand" footage.

 

Date: 2012-01-06

X Japan Asian Tour Reviews

X Japan successfully completed the Asian leg of their World tour (28th Oct. Seoul, 30th Oct. Shanghai, 4th Nov. Hong Kong, 6th Nov. Taipei and 8th Nov. Bangkok). The set lists of the Asian dates were:

Intro Born To Be Free
Jade Drums & Piano Solo (Yoshiki)
Rusty Nail I.V.
Silent Jealousy X
Drain Forever Love
Violin Solo (Sugizo) Endless Rain
Kurenai Art Of Life

You can view pictures of these concerts here and here.

Source: sanspo.com, ent.sina.com.cn

Date: 2012-01-06

Bejing Concert Cancelled

X JAPAN'S BEJING CONCERT CANCELLED

It is with great regret that X Japan announces the cancellation of the band's November 2 date in Beijing. Chinese officials had issued a permit and were supportive. The cancellation is due to a last-minute decision by the promoters that included technical and production issues.

The members of X Japan are devastated by not being able to play Beijing. The band hopes to reschedule a show in Beijing in the near future.

All other shows on X Japan's South East Asia tour itinerary will be performed as scheduled:

October 28 ­ Seoul, Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium
October 30 ­ Shanghai, Shanghai Grand Stage
November 4 ­ Hong Kong, Asia World Expo
November 6 ­ Taipei, Nangang Exhibition Hall
November 8 ­ Bangkok, Impact Arena

 

Date: 2011-10-26

X Japan Conquers Latin America

X JAPAN CONQUERS LATIN AMERICA
Five-City Concert Trek a Complete Success

(LOS ANGELES, CA ­ September 21, 2011) -- X Japan's first concert tour of Latin America wrapped up Sunday night with a sold-out show in Mexico City that mirrored the frenzy the band brought to all five of their stops. In Santiago, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima, and Mexico City, fans, many of whom had waited years to see the band live in concert for the first time, camped out in long lines for up to three days to claim a prime spot in front of the stage.

At the concerts, in one way or another, Yoshiki and the band paid their respects to the countries they visited, and generated a great deal of national pride from their fans. In Santiago, Yoshiki wore the Chilean flag towards the end of the evening as a tribute to the difficult times there since the recent earthquake. Yoshiki welcomed the San Paulo crowd with "Thank you for coming to the show, we love you!" in their native Portuguese tongue. At the show in Mexico City, Yoshiki appeared on stage wearing a sombrero while wrapped in the Mexican flag, prompting the audience to proudly sing their national anthem.

And there was chaos ­ Buenos Aires had the wildest mosh pits, the level of excitement in Sao Paulo reached such an extreme, many in that audience were overcome with emotion and seen crying during the concert. The atmosphere was so intense at another tour stop, Yoshiki accidentally broke one of the keys on his beloved Crystal piano, and Sao Paulo fans showed their affection for X Japan by throwing items of clothing onto the stage. Yoshiki and the band were greeted by throngs of fans at a number of the tour stops' airports ­ fans were so hysterical at the Lima airport, they nearly flipped over the van that the band was riding in. Fans flooded X Japan's arrival gate at the Mexico City airport, forcing airport security to whisk the band out of the airport using a hidden exit door.

And the Latin American dates were full of surprises: Yoshiki heard that a number of Brazilian fans had waited in line for days to get into the show, so he had a supply of the local energy drink Guarana sent out to them. Later during that show, fans surprised the band by floating balloons withthe Brazilian flag emblazoned on them. And at the Mexico City date, Yoshiki surprised the audience by having a local Mariachi Band open the concert.

Spurred on by the intensity of the audiences at the Santiago, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires shows, Yoshiki stage dove into the crowd numerous times. By the time X Japan reached Lima, Yoshiki was covered with cuts and scrapes and bruises from the diving, so he came out onstage for the encore dressed up a nurse.

The press interest in all of the Latin American countries was also intense ­ Yoshiki spent his days off doing interviews, there were press conferences at the venues following their grueling performances, and Yoshiki was interviewed for a segment on "Alta Horas," one of Brazil's most popular national TV programs.

But, according to Yoshiki, the one thing that stood out the most was that even as far away from Japan as Latin America is, "No matter where we played, fans were all doing the X jump. I was so happy to see that."

 

Date: 2011-09-22

X Japan Setlists for Latin America

Intro
Jade
Rusty Nail
Silent Jealousy
Drain
Sugizo SHIKI Piano Solo
Kurenai
Born To Be Free
Yoshiki Drums Solo
I.V.
X
Forever Love
Endless Rain
Art of Life

The concerts in Chile, Brasil, Argentina and Peru were a huge success for X Japan! You can see the setlists for these dates above. And of course you can also view some very nice pictures of X Japan's Latin America Tour here, here and here.

 

Date: 2011-09-22

Asia Concert Dates

JAPANESE ROCK ICONS X JAPAN CONTINUE THEIR WORLDWIDE DOMINATION
WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF SOUTHEAST ASIA CONCERT DATES

(August 14th 2011) ­ With sales of more than 30-million records and DVDs, a record 18 sell-outs at Japan's 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a North American concert debut last summer at the Lollapalooza festival, and a sold out New York City debut at the famed Roseland Ballroom, X Japan announces its long-waited tour of Southeast Asia. Latin America and South East Asia dates will follow X Japan's first-ever concerts in London, Paris, the Netherlands, Berlin and Latin America.

The tour begins October 28 in Korea (Seoul at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium) with stops in China (Shanghai at the Shanghai Grand Stage; Beijing at the Beijing Workers Stadium),Hong Kong (Asia World Arena), Taiwan (Taipei at the Nangang Exhibition Hall)and ending in Thailand (Bangkok at Impact Arena) on November 8. Log onto /www.xjapanmusic.com for ticket information.

The members of X Japan have been writing and recording what will be their first album to be released outside of Japan with English lyrics. According to Yoshiki, about half of the album will feature some of the band's most popular songs from throughout their career, with nearly all of the lyrics re-recorded in English, and the other half, brand new songs written specially for this album. "Jade", the album's first single, was released in Southeast Asia on July 13 and was a Top Ten iTunes track in Japan, Spain, Sweden, Germany, France, and Finland. "Jade" and will be on the 2011 international set lists as well.

X Japan's upcoming tour dates are as follows:

SEPTEMBER
9 Teatro Caupolican, Santiago, Chile
11 Venue, Sao Paulo, Brasil
14 El Teatro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
16 Scencia, Lima, Peru
18 Circo Volador, Mexico City, Mexico

OCTOBER
28 Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium, Seoul, Korea
30 Shanghai Grand Stage, Shanghai, China

NOVEMBER
2 Beijing Workers Stadium, Beijing, China
4 Asia World Arena, Hong Kong, China
6 Nangang Exhibition Hall, Taipei, Taiwan
8 Impact Arena, Bangkok, Thailand

 

Date: 2011-08-15

X Japan Euro Tour Review

X Japan Returns From Triumphant European Tour

X Japan has just completed its career-first run of Europe, achieving a years-long goal of playing to their European fans. The band sold out shows in London, the Netherlands and Germany (which had to be moved to a larger venue), and packed the near-6,000-seat Paris venue. According to Yoshiki, "The audience response was more than we ever could have imagined, the fans went crazy from the beginning of the shows, and it just got more and more intense as the nights went on. At the show in the Netherlands, the fans got so excited, the barricade in front of the stage was broken through. By the end of every concert, everyone ­ the band and the fans ­ were absolutely elated."

At the sold-out London show, the lines to get in went around the block, people stood in line to buy tickets in case any became available (none did), and X Japan broke all merchandise sales records for the venue, a feat they also accomplished last October when they headlined the sold out Roseland Ballroom in New York.

The press who came out to the London show were just as captivated by the show as were the fans. One journalist said it was "...one of the best shows we have ever been lucky enough to witness...truly magnificent," while a reporter from the BBC was jumping and crossing her forearms to make the "X" sign along with everyone else ­ an expected activity at all X Japan concerts during the band's signature song, "X."

Make sure to visit our GALLERY for more pictures of the European Tour!

 

Date: 2011-07-22

Jade Release in Asia

"JADE," X JAPAN'S BRAND NEW SINGLE,
TO BE RELEASED IN ASIA TODAY
DEBUTS AT #1 ON JAPANESE iTUNES

"Jade," the long-awaited new single from X Japan, has been released in Asia today, July 13, and debuted at #1 on the Japanese iTunes' Top Singles and Top Rock Chart charts. "Jade" is the first track from the band's upcoming album, currently in the final stages of recording.

Released in North America, Europe, and South America on June 28, "Jade" has charted on the iTunes Rock charts in the U.S., UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, and Austria. In addition, the track scored Top 10 positions on the iTunes Rock Charts in France, Germany and Finland, and was #1 in Spain and Sweden. "Jade" also charted on iTunes' overall Top Songs charts in Spain, Sweden, France, and Finland.

Written and produced by Yoshiki and mixed by Andy Wallace, "Jade" was recorded in both Japan and at Yoshiki's Los Angeles studio, the same studio where Metallica recorded its classic Black album before Yoshiki bought it and turned it into a private facility.

The song features the thunderous drums and bass of Yoshiki and Heath, respectively, the searing twin guitar work of Pata and Sugizo, and Toshi's dynamic vocals. With most lyrics sung in English, "Jade" is a hauntingly romantic tale of embracing the beautiful sadness of death, and showcases X Japan's eclectic mix of rock, goth and classical music.

"We are very excited to make 'Jade' available in Asia," said Yoshiki, "and are thrilled by the inroads we have made with it in countries around the world, most we've never even been to."

 

Date: 2011-07-22

Unveiling Blood Red Dragon

LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2011 -- Stan Lee, Chief Creative Officer of POW! Entertainment, music superstar and humanitarian Yoshiki, and world renowned comic book artist Todd McFarlane will unveil the debut issue of the highly anticipated comic book series Blood Red Dragon at Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 21, 2011.

Lee, McFarlane and Yoshiki, on whom the comic's central superhero is based, will present the first installment of Blood Red Dragon, which features a surprise and first-of-its-kind publishing innovation that combines the unique skills of these three world-renowned artists. Lee, McFarlane, and Yoshiki will join established and respected comic book writer Jon Goff in a panel discussion at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel in the Indigo room on Thursday, July 21st from 1pm-2pm, followed by press interviews from 2-3:30pm.

This is an excerpt of the press release, you can read more here.

Source: marketwatch, LA weekly

Date: 2011-07-08

X Japan in Europe


X Japan successfully completed the European leg of their World tour (28th June: London, 1st July: Paris and on the 4th July in Berlin). The set lists of the European dates were:

Intro Born To Be Free
Jade Drums & Piano Solo (Yoshiki)
Rusty Nail I.V.
Silent Jealousy X
Drain Forever Love
Violin Solo (Sugizo) Endless Rain
Kurenai Art Of Life

You can read a nice article about their London gig here.

Source: primalnoise.com

Date: 2011-07-08

Japan Expo


X Japan will appear at the Japan Expo! They will give a press conference one day before their concert in France. The press conference is scheduled for Thursday 30 June, 16h45-17h30, Main stage. More infos at the Japan Expo site.

Source: Japan Expo

Date: 2011-06-30

Jade Release Date June 28

X JAPAN'S FIRST SINGLE, "JADE" TO BE RELEASED ON JUNE 28

(June 14, 2011) -- "Jade," the long-awaited new single from X Japan, one of the most influential rock bands in Japanese history, will be released in North America, Europe and Latin America on Tuesday, June 28 in all digital formats. "Jade" is the first track from the band's English debut album, currently in the final stages of recording.

A "Jade" full-length ringtone will be made available exclusively in Japan on June 28, and the single will be released there and in Southeast Asia two weeks later on July 13.

"This is a years-long dream of X Japan's, to release a record in the Americas and in Europe," said Yoshiki, X Japan's leader/producer/songwriter/drummer/pianist. "Music is very powerful, and we believe it can help us bridge the gap between east and west. We hope that 'Jade' will be the first step."

Written and produced by Yoshiki and mixed by Andy Wallace, "Jade" was recorded in both Japan and at Yoshiki's Los Angeles studio, the same studio where Metallica recorded its classic Black album before Yoshiki bought it and turned it into a private facility.

The song features the thunderous drums and bass of Yoshiki and Heath, respectively, the searing twin guitar work of Pata and Sugizo, and Toshi's dynamic vocals. With most lyrics sung in English, "Jade" is a hauntingly romantic tale of embracing the beautiful sadness of death, and showcases X Japan's eclectic mix of rock, goth, and classical music.

The release of "Jade" coincides with the X Japan's June 28 sold-out show at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire and the kick-off of their world tour that includes stops in Europe and South America. Click here for the full itinerary.

X Japan is one of the most successful rock bands in Japanese history, having sold more than 30-million albums, singles and videos, and filled the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a record 18 times with its classic "Queen meets Guns N Roses meets ŒThe Matrix'" sound. The popularity of the band in Japan has made them a cultural phenomenon in music, fashion and business. X Japan made its North American debut at the 2010 Lollapalooza festival, and sold out their New York City debut at the famed Roseland Ballroom as part of its first American tour last fall.

Source:

Date: 2011-06-14

Scarlet Love Song #1 in iTunes Japan

X JAPAN's SCARLET LOVE SONG explodes and hits #1 on iTunes Japan!

X JAPAN's latest release SCARLET LOVE SONG, the opening theme song for Tezuka Production's latest anime feature film release that took over 10 years to produce ... BUDDHA: akai sabaku yo! Utsukushiku has hit the #1 position for iTunes (Japan).

Source:

Date: 2011-06-09

Yoshiki to Compose Theme Song for Osamu Tezuka

THE "GOD" OF J-ROCK, YOSHIKI, COMPOSES THEME SONG FOR THE "GOD" OF MANGA'S, OSAMU TEZUKA, UPCOMING 2011 JAPANESE ANIME FEATURE FILM

(May 26, 2011) ­ Known throughout the world for his haunting melodies and dynamic musical prowess, famed J-Rock legend Yoshiki has been commissioned by the famed "God" of Manga writer, Osamu Tezuka's (ASTROBOY) world famous anime production company, Tezuka Production Company Ltd., to compose the opening song for their 10 years in the making, highly anticipated 2011 anime trilogy feature film, BUDDHA: AKAI SABAKU YO! UTSUKUSHIKU. The composition will be entitled "Scarlet Love Song" and will be the main theme for the film releasing May 28, 2011.

"Yoshiki, a member of X Japan-the most successful international "Visual kei Japanese rock band", was the obvious choice to be part of the film," states BUDDHA director Kouso Morishita, "he (Yoshiki) and I used to talk about the collaboration of Anime and J-Rock and I requested his musical support from the inception of the film. As a result, "Scarlet Love Song" was written by Yoshiki and performed by X Japan and is a great love song which makes the world of "Buddha" shine moreso."

"I am honored and blessed that I was given the amazing opportunity to write the theme song for such an influential Japanese manga writer," states Yoshiki, X Japan's leader/drummer/pianist/songwriter, "I hope my song does the feature film and Tezuka-san's wonderful work justice as it will set the tone for the entire film."

Yoshiki Official Twitter: http://twitter.com/YoshikiOfficial

Source:

Date: 2011-05-26

“Yoshiki Radio” to Debut on SiriusXM

“Yoshiki Radio” to Debut on SiriusXM
Japanese Superstar to Launch His First-Ever Radio Show

May 12, 2011 -- Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that Yoshiki, Japanese icon and leader of Japan’s multi-million-selling, superstar rock band X Japan, will host his first-ever radio show, “Yoshiki Radio,” on SiriusXM’s The Boneyard, Channel 38. “Yoshiki Radio,” the hour-long monthly show, will launch on Friday, May 27 at 8:00PM ET. Beginning Sunday, June 5, “Yoshiki Radio” will air the first Sunday of every month at 9:00PM ET.

“Yoshiki Radio” will offer an eclectic mix of East meets West, and will include Yoshiki’s personal favorite music tracks, and music from artists that have influenced him, as well as an introduction to some of Japan’s most innovative and successful artists. The monthly show will also feature elements of Japanese pop culture that already have made their mark on American life, from sushi to Sony to Nintendo/Wii, to the global megastar Hello Kitty, to the bourgeoning western popularity of Anime. Yoshiki’s band X Japan has been credited with pioneering “Visual Kei,” a cultural movement that greatly contributed to today’s worldwide Anime craze.

“I’m very excited to do the show exclusively on SiriusXM, as I’d like to help tear down the wall between East and West,” said Yoshiki. “I want to show people that there is no one language, no real boundaries when it comes to music and art, and that we are all more alike than not. I also hope my exposure of unique music choices to the West will allow me to show, with pride, a beautiful side of our culture in these difficult times. ”

“We love introducing listeners to bands they may not otherwise hear on other audio platforms and providing them the chance to discover great new music,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM Radio. “Yoshiki’s music ranges from heavy metal to ballads to alternative rock to symphonic. Only on SiriusXM will you hear Yoshiki’s pioneering choices of songs that mix musical worlds.”

Earlier this year, Yoshiki and his band X Japan signed an exclusive, three-year deal with EMI Music for distribution in North America. X Japan’s North American debut album will be released later this year. The album’s first single, “Jade,” will be available this spring.

X Japan is one of the most successful rock bands in Japanese history, and the heart of X Japan is Yoshiki, songwriter, drummer, producer, and classically-trained pianist who also plays guitar, bass and trumpet. Yoshiki, who has been referred to by his first name only throughout his professional career, is arguably Asia’s most influential musical artist and, according to one industry insider, “is to Japan what Bono is to the UK.” Hello Kitty, for the first time in its history, even designed a product line after a person, creating a new character, “Yoshikitty,” based on Yoshiki. X Japan has sold more than 30-million albums, singles and videos, and headlined and sold out Japan’s 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a record 18 times. The band, having always wanted to break in North America, made its concert debut at 2010’s Lollapalooza festival with a critically-acclaimed North American tour that followed last fall. The band plans to tour extensively in 2011, and has already announced dates in the UK, Europe and Latin America.

Source:

Date: 2011-05-12