Hayashi Yoshiki

Hayashi Yoshiki; The greatest musician in all of Japan. Despite many tradgedies in his life, Yoshiki has perservered and succeeded each time, overcoming each one as they appeared. In a 37 year lifespan, he has founded the most famous Japanese Rock band of all time, started a record label, and has even been chosen to do the honor of writing a song for the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of Emperor Akihito and his wife, Michiko.

Yoshiki was born on November 20, 1965 in Tetayama, Chiba. When he was a young child, his parents taught him the piano. He was a weak child, so they encouraged him to also take up the drums, to build up his strength. When Yoshiki was 10, his 33 year old father committed suicide. Yoshiki later wrote a song, "Tears" and dedicated it to his father.

In 1985 or so, Yoshiki started a band that would change Japan's idea of rock music for the years to come. The band was called X. They were a visual band, meaning that they wanted to convey ideas through clothing and style as well as through music. Their style was characterized by big hair and colorful, elaborate outfits. The lineup was Toshi at vocals, Yoshiki at drums and piano, hide and Pata at guitar and Heath at bass. The band broke up in 1997, and hide, though possessing an enviable solo career, committed suicide in 1998. He was 33.

After serious health problems recieved from playing the drums so violently for so many years, Yoshiki vowed to stop making music. Even so, he has not completely given up the industry. Yoshiki still works as a producer, lyricist, composer, and conductor for many successful J-Rock bands such as Dir en Grey. He currently lives between two homes, one in L.A. and the other in Tokyo.