[JAPAN] Visual-kei pioneers X Japan back from dead–mostly

In a recent article by Steve McClure for Daily Yomiuri, McClure wrote, “The star of X Japan’s three reunion shows at the Tokyo Dome wasn’t actually present at any of the gigs.”

“That’s because the performer in question, guitarist Hide, has been dead since 1998. But that didn’t prevent him from being virtually present at the concerts. Footage of him performing in the pre-death phase of his career played through the shows on huge screens behind X Japan’s four living members, as well as on a cylindrical holographic device at center stage.”

“A gifted guitarist and songwriter, Hide–like Keith Richards in the Rolling Stones–was X Japan’s rock ‘n’ roll heart. So while the use of his video footage and music at X Japan’s reunion shows was more than a bit ghoulish, it probably made sense musically.”

“Hide had started to carve out a solid solo career after X Japan broke up in 1997. But he was found dead on May 2, 1998, hanging from a towel tied to a doorknob in his Tokyo apartment, in what was either an accident or a suicide, depending on whom you believe. His fans displayed their continuing devotion to him at the reunion shows by brandishing dolls made in the image of the “visual-kei” genre’s fallen hero.”

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