What Happened to Ryuichi Sakamoto? How Did he Die? Check Here
by Sakthi
Updated Apr 03, 2023
What Happened to Ryuichi Sakamoto?
Ryuichi Sakamoto was a Japanese musician, composer, and producer who was born on January 17, 1952, in Tokyo. Regrettably, the world lost a musical legend Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away at the age of 71. The Japanese composer and musician, who gained worldwide acclaim for his innovative approach to music, was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. Although he received successful treatment for that ailment, he later disclosed that he had developed rectal cancer.
Sakamoto continued to perform until the end of 2022, keeping his fans updated on his health condition. He played his final show before his unfortunate demise, leaving behind a remarkable musical legacy that has inspired countless artists around the world. His innovative musical style, which blended elements of traditional Japanese music with contemporary electronic sounds, has been widely celebrated as groundbreaking and influential. Despite his health struggles, Sakamoto remained an active and prolific musician until the very end, working on new compositions and collaborating with other artists. He will be remembered as one of the most gifted and visionary musicians of his generation, whose artistic vision and spirit touched countless hearts and minds around the world. His passing is a profound loss for the world of music and art, but his legacy will continue to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.
Who is Ryuichi Sakamoto?
Ryuichi Sakamoto was a Japanese musician, composer, and producer who was born on January 17, 1952, in Tokyo. He was known for his innovative approach to music, blending elements of various genres, including classical, electronic, rock, and traditional Japanese music, to create a unique and groundbreaking sound. Sakamoto began his musical career as a member of the electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra in the late 1970s, which quickly became one of the most influential and popular bands in Japan. He went on to release numerous solo albums and collaborate with other renowned musicians and artists, such as David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Alva Noto.
Throughout his career, Sakamoto was recognized for his artistic achievements, receiving numerous awards and accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Original Score for his work on the film "The Last Emperor" in 1988. He was also a prominent activist and advocate for environmental and social causes, using his platform to raise awareness about various issues. His legacy continues to live on through his music and the countless individuals he influenced and inspired.
Ryuichi Sakamoto Documentary
There is a documentary film about Ryuichi Sakamoto titled "Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda." Directed by Stephen Nomura Schible, the film explores Sakamoto's life and career, as well as his creative process and philosophy on music. It includes footage of Sakamoto recording his 2017 solo album "async," as well as interviews with Sakamoto and his collaborators, including Alva Noto and Christian Fennesz. The film also delves into Sakamoto's activism and his work on environmental and anti-nuclear issues in Japan. It chronicles his recovery from throat cancer and his subsequent diagnosis with rectal cancer, which forced him to take a break from his music career.
"Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda" premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2017, where it received critical acclaim. It has since been screened at numerous international film festivals and has been released in theaters and on home video. The film is a fascinating and intimate portrait of one of the most innovative and influential musicians of our time.
Ryuichi Sakamoto Discography
Ryuichi Sakamoto had a prolific and diverse discography, with over 30 solo albums and numerous collaborations throughout his career. He first gained international recognition as a member of the influential Japanese electronic band Yellow Magic Orchestra before embarking on a successful solo career that spanned several decades. Here is a brief overview of some of his most notable works:
Thousand Knives of Ryuichi Sakamoto (1978): Sakamoto's first solo album, which helped establish him as a major figure in Japanese electronic music.
B-2 Unit (1980): An album that showcased Sakamoto's innovative approach to music, blending elements of pop, rock, and classical music with electronic sounds.
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983): The soundtrack for the film of the same name, which starred Sakamoto alongside David Bowie.
Neo Geo (1987): An album that saw Sakamoto experimenting with world music sounds and incorporating elements of jazz and traditional Japanese music.
Beauty (1989): A collaboration with British musician Robin Scott that fused elements of pop, jazz, and world music.
Heartbeat (1991): A solo album that saw Sakamoto exploring more experimental and avant-garde sounds
Discord (1997): A collaboration with experimental musician and composer Alva Noto that showcased their shared interest in blending acoustic and electronic sounds.
Chasm (2004): A collaboration with composer and producer Christopher Willits that blended ambient and experimental sounds with acoustic instruments
async (2017): A critically acclaimed solo album that saw Sakamoto returning to his electronic and classical roots while also incorporating elements of ambient and experimental music.
Throughout his career, Sakamoto collaborated with numerous artists and musicians, including David Sylvian, Iggy Pop, and Fennesz, among others. His discography is a testament to his innovative spirit and his willingness to explore new sounds and musical ideas.
Ryuichi Sakamoto Anime
Ryuichi Sakamoto has composed music for several anime productions over the years. Here is a list of some of his most notable works in the anime industry:
Sakamoto's work in anime has been widely praised for its innovation and ability to enhance the storytelling and atmosphere of the productions he has worked on.
How Did Ryuichi Sakamoto Died?
Renowned Japanese composer, record producer, and actor Ryuichi Sakamoto left a lasting impact on the music industry with his diverse range of styles and pioneering work with Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). Alongside his bandmates Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, Sakamoto helped to influence and pioneer numerous electronic music genres. However, following his diagnosis with oropharyngeal cancer in 2014, Sakamoto took a year-long hiatus from music. In January 2021, he revealed that although his throat cancer had gone into remission, he had been diagnosed with rectal cancer and was undergoing treatment after a successful surgery. Despite the diagnosis, he remained hopeful and wrote, "From now on, I will be living alongside cancer. But I am hoping to make music for a little while longer."
Sadly, Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away from cancer on March 28, 2023, at the age of 71. The news of his passing was shared on April 2, after his funeral had taken place. His legacy as a visionary musician and artist will undoubtedly live on for years to come.
What Happened to Ryuichi Sakamoto: FAQs
Ryuichi Sakamoto was a Japanese composer, record producer, and actor who was a member of the electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra.
Ryuichi Sakamoto is known for his pioneering work in electronic music and for his diverse range of styles as a solo artist and member of YMO.
Ryuichi Sakamoto was first diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer in 2014.
Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away from cancer.
Ryuichi Sakamoto was 71 years old at the time of his death.