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LOUDNESS Drummer MUNETAKA HIGUCHI Dead At 49
- Nov. 30, 2008
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WeROCK City has informed BLABBERMOUTH.NET that drummer Munetaka Higuchi of veteran Japanese metallers LOUDNESS passed away today (Sunday, November 30) around 10:00 a.m. (Japan Standard Time) at a hospital in Osaka, Japan. He was 49 years old. Higuchi was diagnosed with liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) in April 2008. He had reportedly undergone two rounds of chemotherapy treatment and an operation to remove part of his liver. In an October 18, 2008 statement released via the band's official web site, Munetaka wrote about his condition (translated from Japanese), "It has been half a year since I was diagnosed with liver cancer. I am really sorry that the fans are worried. The cancer has become worse despite the fact that I have been taking care of my health, and I will need more time for my treatment. [Even after undergoing the] big operation to remove half of my liver, I still need more treatment. There are various risks and dangers involved with my condition, but I'll do my best to keep my spirits up and maintain my physical strength to fight this illness. I know it is still the middle of my treatment, but I just wanted inform you about my progress since the operation. Thank you very much for all the support." LOUDNESS utilized a session drummer — Kozo Suganuma, a member of one of the most popular fusion bands in Japan, FRAGILE, and a former member of DED CHAPLIN (featuring LOUDNESS singer Minoru Niihara) — for its "special guest" appearance at MÖTLEY CRÜE's October 26, 2008 concert at Saitama Super Arena. LOUDNESS recently released a four-disc DVD set entitled "The Legend Of Loudness - Live Complete Best" in Japan through Tokuma Communications. It features footage spanning the band's entire career — from the early 1980s through 2008 — including the periods when it was fronted by Michael Vescera ( YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, OBSESSION) and Masaki Yamada ( EZO).
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COMMENT | Rest in Peace
posted by :
11/30/2008 11:36:20 AM
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Rest in Peace my true metal brother. I was lucky to have witnessed your skills twice in myself, and have met you. Loudness shall live on!
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COMMENT | What a shame...
posted by : deth n roll
11/30/2008 11:43:08 AM
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Munetaka Higuchi was an amazing drummer. He shall live on through all he did with LOUDNESS!!!
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COMMENT | REST IN METAL!!!
posted by : fergrhtght6789
11/30/2008 11:44:38 AM
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Period.
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COMMENT | R.I.P. Munetaka you'll be missed by us all.
posted by : RiotAct666
11/30/2008 11:44:42 AM
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:(
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COMMENT | Fuck no !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by :
11/30/2008 11:54:46 AM
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Rest in Peace . Love your work.Great drumer. Im going play Loudness now in your memory. Louness forrever !!!!
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COMMENT | R.I.P.
posted by :
11/30/2008 12:05:34 PM
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I never had a chance to listen to anything by Loudness, but I think I will check their stuff out.
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COMMENT | ...
posted by : Spermulator
11/30/2008 12:10:09 PM
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Just yesterday I was listening some Loudness and the the last time was over 20 years ago. Eerie...
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/30/2008 12:16:45 PM
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Unfortunately I saw it coming. Latest news reports were not good.
Sad loss, what a great musician.
R.I.P. Munetaka.
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COMMENT | ...
posted by : tokyoblade
11/30/2008 12:19:14 PM
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Rest in Peace.
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COMMENT | Saw them in Ft Wayne Indiana opening for AC/DC on the "Who Made Who" tour...,.
posted by : The Govner
11/30/2008 12:23:28 PM
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Great band........ but you couldn't help but laugh when you heard Minoru say "We love you Fort Wayne Rock 'N Roll city!"
Too many drummers dying lately....
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COMMENT | So sad..
posted by : Imisseightiesundergroundmetal
11/30/2008 12:27:03 PM
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Truly one of the greats! Gone way too soon. My condolences to Loudness and Munetaka's family. Listened to In the Mirror and Burning Love, great drummer!
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COMMENT | RIP
posted by :
11/30/2008 12:32:38 PM
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Our hearts go out to your family and friends. Thank you for the music!
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COMMENT | I am very sad.
posted by : sabb111
11/30/2008 12:33:33 PM
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...Very sad.
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COMMENT | Rest In Peace
posted by : hedtrauma
11/30/2008 12:36:56 PM
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Grew up on Loudness My heart is heavy... condolences to Munetaka's family and the Loudness family...
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/30/2008 12:40:53 PM
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R.I.P.
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COMMENT | It is really sad...
posted by :
11/30/2008 1:01:48 PM
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that people don't care about their health until it's too late...
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COMMENT |
posted by : Mr 666
11/30/2008 1:02:12 PM
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RIP
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COMMENT | Sad news
posted by : Hawkwinder
11/30/2008 1:59:59 PM
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Loved the contribution Munetaka and Loudness have made to Heavy Metal. Hopefully their DVDs will be available here in the USA at a more cheaper price sometime soon.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/30/2008 2:14:31 PM
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So sad once again..... RIP
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COMMENT |
posted by : Dee67
11/30/2008 2:37:34 PM
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peace and strength to all family and friends of the fallen.
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COMMENT | RIP
posted by :
11/30/2008 2:40:51 PM
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This is sad news. Loudness rock; I only discovered them recently, and 'Thunder in the East' is a superb 80s metal album.
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COMMENT | Munetaka...
posted by :
11/30/2008 2:41:39 PM
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Rest in peace brother...
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COMMENT |
posted by : platinum maze
11/30/2008 2:56:02 PM
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RIP
to one of my absolute favorite musicians ever, and I'm a guitarist. They remain one of my favorite bands ever.
);
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COMMENT | RIP
posted by :
11/30/2008 3:04:45 PM
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Radioactive Metal expresses their condolences to the Higuchi family.
www.radioactivemetal.net
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COMMENT | A Sad, Sad Day
posted by :
11/30/2008 3:16:57 PM
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Sincerest condolences to the family of Munetaka Higuchi, and of course to the members of Loudness who I am sure are heartbroken to lose their friend.
One of the best drummers in metal, and certainly the best to come out of Japan. A huge influence on me musically. This guy was thrashing it up for years while the US glam metal scene was playing Poison-type shit.
Far too young, far too soon.
Peace, brother.
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COMMENT |
posted by : MetalMetalMetal
11/30/2008 5:03:04 PM
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Rest in Peace. We never forget you.
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COMMENT | domo arigato Munetaka Higuchi
posted by : kalaki
11/30/2008 5:14:40 PM
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Such as sad day.
Munetaka, you were da best.
Never be forgotten my friend.
Skinbasher forever.
Aloha
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COMMENT | This fucking sucks
posted by : Polimar
11/30/2008 6:27:57 PM
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R.I.P.
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COMMENT | Sad
posted by :
11/30/2008 6:43:02 PM
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Very good drummer.Condolences to all. RIP
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COMMENT | This is tough to handle
posted by : PowerBrake
11/30/2008 7:03:40 PM
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I love this guy. I met him about 3 years ago after a Loudness show. He was so sweet. I wouldn't trade the autograph he gave me for $10,000K
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COMMENT | Sad, sad , sad loss
posted by : Geinwear
11/30/2008 7:13:44 PM
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Rest in peace my friend :(
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COMMENT | Cancer SUCKS!
posted by :
11/30/2008 7:21:43 PM
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I lost my brother to liver/kidney cancer back in April '08, after 4 months. Marc was 52.
And now this.
DAMN IT.
Henrik
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COMMENT |
posted by : mrbreeze
11/30/2008 8:25:21 PM
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I remember seeing these guys in Saginaw, MI in 1987 I think it was with DIO. This crazy fucker threw a full zildjian cymbal into the crowd at the end of the set like a frisbee. I can't believe it didn't cut somebody's head off. It was fuckin' great.
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COMMENT | R.I.P.
posted by :
11/30/2008 8:26:22 PM
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Never saw the band live...but I picked up on them when Thunder In The East came out. That would have been around summer of '84 I'm guessing. And I followed them pretty much from then on. Great drummer. One of my idols for sure. Being a drummer....I was inspired to learn Thunder note for note.
Sad day. Rest in peace.
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COMMENT | Rest In Peace page
posted by :
11/30/2008 8:32:56 PM
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Check out my Rest In Peace page at www.EssentialMetal.com to see a list of many other hard rock and metal singers/musicians that have passed away since 1980. Let me know if I am missing anyone on the list.
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COMMENT | Last saw him at OC & Sunset Strip shows in '06.
posted by : InThroughTheOutDoor
11/30/2008 9:14:10 PM
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Fan since Thunder In The East, this is sad v/news.
My fav LOUDNESS album ever, in which he did great drumming.
First introduced to them by KNAC 105.5 FM, Long Beach, CA. Mr HIGUCHI will be missed, my thoughts are with his family, loved ones, & the band LOUDNESS...RIP.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/30/2008 9:46:53 PM
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These are some of the nicest guys in hard rock. They don't try to be what they're not and they always deliver. Sad day for them. RIP.
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COMMENT | RIP
posted by : Neil Young's Cocaine Booger
11/30/2008 11:04:07 PM
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Was never a huge Loudness fan, but I did dig them.
My condolences to his family, friends, bandmates and fans!!!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Disturbingthefreak
11/30/2008 11:22:22 PM
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RIP
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COMMENT |
posted by :
12/1/2008 1:06:23 AM
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RIP metal brother. I've been a Loudness fan since the early 80's. My thoughts are with your friends and family as well as your Loudness brothers. The music world's a darker place.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
12/1/2008 1:49:26 AM
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This and the Acid Drinkers' guitarist dying is horrible.
While fucks like Corey Taylor and Fred Durst are still among us.
There is no god.
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COMMENT |
posted by : wastingbeerz
12/1/2008 9:24:09 AM
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R.I.P. Munetaka... you will be missed.
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COMMENT | Wow
posted by : Flu
12/1/2008 12:35:37 PM
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Very sad. Still can't believe it. He was an incredible drummer and will be missed badly.
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COMMENT | you will be missed
posted by :
1/11/2010 8:01:45 PM
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great drummer ....you will be missed!!!
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