The Forming member of Yellow Magic Orchestra 'Ryuichi Sakamoto' passed away at the age of 71 due to cancer. Sakamoto was a Japanese musician, composer, and actor who had been active in the music industry for over four decades. He won several awards including an Oscar, Grammy and BAFTA for his work as a solo artist in his life.
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| Image Source - Google | Image by - THE SHED |
Born on January 17, 1952, in Tokyo, Japan, Sakamoto started playing piano at a young age and studied music at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. In the late 1970s, he formed the electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi. YMO's innovative use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments had a major influence on the development of techno, house, and other electronic music styles.
After YMO disbanded in the mid-1980s, Sakamoto pursued a successful solo career and released numerous albums that showcased his wide range of musical interests. He experimented with various musical styles, including electronic, ambient, and classical music. His music is known for its emotional depth, introspective quality, and ability to create a vivid and immersive sonic landscape.
In addition to his solo work, Sakamoto had also composed music for films. He has worked on over 30 films and have won numerous awards for his film scores, including an Academy Award for Best Original Score for "The Last Emperor" in 1988. He has also worked on other notable films such as "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence," "The Revenant," and "The Sheltering Sky."
Throughout his career, Sakamoto has collaborated with a wide variety of artists, including David Sylvian, Iggy Pop, Thomas Dolby, and David Byrne. His collaborations showcase his ability to work within different musical contexts and create unique and innovative sounds.
Sakamoto had also been an active environmental and political activist. He was vocal about his opposition to nuclear energy and has worked to raise awareness about the environmental impacts of nuclear disasters. In 2011, he founded the "No Nukes" music festival in Japan, which brought together musicians and activists to raise awareness about nuclear issues.
Ryuichi Sakamoto's contributions to electronic, ambient, and classical music have made him a pioneer in the music industry. His ability to experiment with different musical styles and use technology to create new sounds has had a major influence on modern music. He will always be remembered as an influential figure in the music industry and his legacy is sure to inspire future generations of musicians and composers.
