Yukihiro Takahashi was a Tokyo-born drummer, singer and producer who played in the Sadistic Mika Band, co-founded Yellow Magic Orchestra and released a long series of solo albums beginning with Saravah! in 1978.[1][2]
Early career
Born in Tokyo on 6 June 1952, Takahashi worked as a studio musician while still in high school and briefly supported the folk band Garo in 1969. In 1972 he joined the Sadistic Mika Band as drummer; the group recorded and toured in the UK, opening for Roxy Music on its 1975 British tour, and broke up after returning to Japan, with Takahashi continuing in the Sadistics.[1][2]
YMO and solo work
In 1978 he formed Yellow Magic Orchestra with Haruomi Hosono and Ryuichi Sakamoto, serving as drummer, lead vocalist and co-composer; he wrote “Rydeen”, sang “La Femme Chinoise” and designed the group’s stage costumes. The same year he released his first solo album, Saravah!, followed by Murdered by the Music (1980), Neuromantic (1981) and What, Me Worry? (1982). He later formed the Beatniks with Keiichi Suzuki, Sketch Show and HASYMO with Hosono, and Metafive with Towa Tei.[1][2]
Later life
Takahashi also designed fashion, acted in films and hosted All Night Nippon in 1983. Diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020, he died in Karuizawa on 11 January 2023, aged 70. His last solo release was Saravah Saravah! (2018), a remake of his 1978 debut.[1][2]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Saravah! (Solo debut) | — |
| 1980 | Murdered by the Music | — |
| 1981 | Neuromantic | — |
| 1982 | What, Me Worry? | — |
| 1983 | Tomorrow’s Just Another Day | — |
| 2018 | Saravah Saravah! (Remake of the 1978 debut; final solo release) | — |
Notable songs
- “Rydeen” ↗1979
References
- “Yukihiro Takahashi”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
- “高橋幸宏”. Wikipedia (Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2026.
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