was a Japanese musician, singer, record producer, fashion designer, and actor, who was best known internationally as the drummer, lead vocalist, & co-composer of Yellow Magic Orchestra, as the former drummer of the Sadistic Mika Band, and as the drummer and backing vocalist of the Sadistics. He was also a member of the groups: the Beatniks (with Keiichi Suzuki), Sketch Show (with Haruomi Hosono), & Metafive (with Towa Tei etc.).
Career Takahashi began playing the drums around the fifth grade. While attending Rikkyo Junior High School, he formed a band called "Buddha's Narcissy" with his classmate Masakazu Togo (who would later debut in the folk group Buzz, produced by Takahashi's older brother). He also befriended Yumi Matsutoya (then Yumi Arai) during his junior high years. Takahashi started working as a studio musician while still in high school, and in 1969, he joined the folk band Garo as a support member. However, he and bassist Ray Ohara left the group shortly after, feeling that the band's pop direction following their hit "Gakuseigai no Kissaten" did not suit them.
While studying at the Musashino Art University Junior College of Art and Design in 1972, Takahashi dropped out to join the Sadistic Mika Band at the invitation of Kazuhiko Katō (formerly of The Folk Crusaders), replacing drummer Hiro Tsunoda. Takahashi first came to prominence as the drummer of this band, and became known to western audiences after they toured and recorded in the United Kingdom, even serving as the opening act for Roxy Music's 1975 UK tour. After the Sadistic Mika Band disbanded, some of the members (including Takahashi) formed another band called The Sadistics, who released several albums. Takahashi recorded his first solo album, Saravah, in 1977.
In 1978, Takahashi joined Ryuichi Sakamoto and Haruomi Hosono to form the Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). Takahashi's exceptionally tight, precise drumming with minimal notes was highly respected by his peers and heavily influenced a generation of musicians. Although Hosono initially intended for YMO to rely on guest vocalists, Sakamoto recommended Takahashi to sing on "La Femme Chinoise", revealing Takahashi's vocal talent which became a prominent feature of the band. In addition to music, Takahashi—who already worked as a designer for his own fashion brands "Bricks" and "Bricks-MONO"—designed YMO's iconic stage costumes. Throughout the 1980s, Takahashi also released a large number of solo albums primarily intended for the Japanese market. Takahashi collaborated extensively with other musicians, including Bill Nelson, Iva Davies of Icehouse, Keiichi Suzuki of the Moonriders (often as a duo dubbed "The Beatniks", although Suzuki essentially functioned as a member of Takahashi's backing band during the Moonriders' brief hiatus) and in particular Steve Jansen. Takahashi released a single Stay Close and an EP Pulse as a duo with Jansen.
Takahashi helped compose the soundtrack to the anime series Nadia: Secret of the Blue Water in 1989, including the song "Families". Takahashi participated in temporary reunions of both the Sadistic Mika Band (minus the lead vocalist Mika, who was replaced by Karen Kirishima for the 1989 reunion, and by Kaela Kimura for the 2006 reunion), and Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). Both of these reunions included tours of Japan and an album of new material.
In the early 2000s, Takahashi became a member of the duo Sketch Show, with Haruomi Hosono. Sketch Show released two albums, one of which, Loophole, was released in the UK. Both Takahashi and Hosono reunited with Sakamoto as HASYMO – a combination of Human Audio Sponge and Yellow Magic Orchestra. This collaboration produced a single, "Rescue", in 2007. Takahashi released the solo album Life Anew on July 17, 2013, as well as anniversary and live albums. His later work included Saravah, Saravah! (2018), a remastered reboot of his solo debut album which, along with re-recorded vocals, featured appearances by Sakamoto, Hosono and other musicians.
Personal life Takahashi was born in Tokyo. His older brother, Nobuyuki Takahashi, is a music producer and former member of The Fingers. His older sister, Mie Ito, is considered a pioneer of public relations in the Japanese fashion industry. His nephew, Soichiro Ito, is the designer of the fashion brand "soe". Takahashi was married to Emiko Takahashi from 1980 to 1992, and to Kiyomi Takahashi (formerly a non-no model) from 1993 until his death in 2023.
Outside of music, Takahashi maintained a highly active career in fashion design. Throughout his life, he was the designer for numerous brands, including Brother, Buzz Brother, Bricks, Bricks-MONO, and YUKIHIRO TAKAHASHI COLLECTION. He also produced the runway music for Yohji Yamamoto's Paris Collection shows. He maintained a close friendship with actor Naoto Takenaka and frequently appeared in surreal sketch comedy routines on Takenaka's television shows. Takahashi also briefly hosted the popular late-night radio program All Night Nippon in 1983.
Takahashi was an avid, obsessive fisherman—a hobby he originally took up as a treatment for neurosis, which eventually led him to become the president of the "Tokyo Tsurukame Fishing Club". He spent much of his later life residing in Karuizawa, Nagano, a town he frequented since childhood due to his family's villa, and incidentally the exact location where he first met Haruomi Hosono years prior.
Health and death Takahashi suffered from headaches from the beginning of summer 2020. While Takahashi initially thought that these were migraines, he finally underwent an MRI scan. It was discovered that the headaches were the result of a brain tumor. On August 13, 2020, Takahashi underwent surgery to remove the tumor; he announced that there were no after effects and that he would devote himself to treatment. On October 20, 2020, Takahashi announced through his social media that he had completed his course of treatment following the surgery.
On January 11, 2023, Takahashi died in Karuizawa, Nagano, from aspiration pneumonia, a complication of the brain tumor. He was 70.
Discography
Albums Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions JPNOricon Saravah! Released: 21 June 1978 Label: King Formats: LP, cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming - Murdered by the Music Released: 21 June 1980 Label: King Formats: LP, cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming12 Neuromantic Released: 24 May 1981 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming21 What, Me Worry? Released: 21 June 1982 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming35 Tomorrow's Just Another Day Released: 25 August 1983 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming11 Wild and Moody Released: 10 November 1984 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming13 Once a Fool Released: 1 November 1985 Label: Canyon Formats: LP, cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming11 Only When I Laugh Released: 21 August 1986 Label: Canyon Formats: LP, cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming24 Ego Released: 16 November 1988 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: LP, Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming16 Broadcast from Heaven Released: 4 April 1990 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: Cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming11 A Day in the Next Life Released: 20 March 1991 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD, digital download, streaming37 Life Time Happy Time Released: 18 March 1992 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD, digital download, streaming22 Mr YT Released: 16 November 1994 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD, digital download, streaming33 Fate of Gold Released: 25 October 1995 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD, digital download, streaming49 Portrait with No Name Released: 13 November 1996 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD, digital download, streaming49 A Sigh of Ghost Released: 19 September 1997 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming99 A Ray of Hope Released: 18 March 1998 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming - The Dearest Fool Released: 20 October 1999 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming88 Blue Moon Blue Released: 15 March 2006 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD, digital download, streaming93 Page by Page Released: 11 March 2009 Label: Emi Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming56 Life Anew Released: 17 July 2013 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming40
Compilation albums Title Album details Peak chart positions JPNOricon The Brand New Day Released: 28 November 1985 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, cassette tape, CD, digital download, streaming - The Best Way Released: 21 May 1993 Label: Pony Canyon Formats: CD, digital download, streaming - I'm Not in Love: The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi 1988–1995 Released: 7 June 1995 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD, digital download, streaming36 Yukihiro Takahashi Collection – Singles and More 1988–1996 Released: 25 February 1998 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD, digital download, streaming - Colors: Best of YT Cover Tracks Vol. 1 Released: 17 June 1999 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming - Colors: Best of YT Cover Tracks Vol. 2 Released: 7 July 1999 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming - A Dog Smiled: Yukihiro Takahashi Best Selection '97–'99 Released: 20 November 2002 Label: Consipio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming - Turning the Pages of Life: The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi in Alfa Years 1981–1985 Released: 11 March 2009 Label: Sony Music Direct Formats: CD, digital download, streaming113 Turning the Pages of Life: The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi in Alfa Years 1988–1996 Released: 11 March 2009 Label: EMI Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming211 Grand Espoir Released: 27 October 2021 Label: Sony Music Direct Formats: CD, digital download, streaming65 The Best of Yukihiro Takahashi (EMI Years 1988–2013) Released: 27 October 2023 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming37
Self-cover albums Title Album details Peak chart positions JPNOricon Heart of Hurt Released: 27 January 1993 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD, digital download, streaming28 Saravah, Saravah! Released: 21 May 2018 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming29
Live albums Title Album details Peak chart positions JPNOricon Time and Place Released: 27 January 1984 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, cassette tape13 A Night in the Next Life Released: 27 January 1991 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD74 Run After You Released: 18 September 1998 Label: Consipio Formats: CD - A Night in the Next Life – Perfect Premium Discs Released: 11 March 2009 Label: EMI Music Japan Formats: CD300 Heart of Hurt Live 2014 – Seas of Seeds Released: 23 August 2015 Label: Nishi Azabu Formats: CD - Saravah Saravah! – Yukihiro Takahashi Live 2018 Released: 21 August 2019 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD+DVD, LP46 It's Gonna Work Out – Live 82–83 Released: 14 September 2022 Label: Sony Music Direct Formats: CD+BD18 World Happiness Released: 6 June 2025 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, digital download, streaming11
Soundtracks Title Album details Peak chart positions JPNOricon Poisson d'Avril Released: 25 April 1985 Label: Alfa Formats: LP, cassette tape28 La Pensee Released: 21 May 1987 Label: Canyon Formats: LP, cassette tape, CD60 The Adventures of Gaku Released: 21 May 1991 Label: Toshiba EMI Formats: CD - Umi Sora Sango no Iitsutae Released: 25 January 1992 Label: Consipio Formats: CD - Ahiru no Uta ga Kikoete Kuru yo Released: 30 August 1993 Label: Consipio Formats: CD - Shizukana Ayashii Gogo ni Released: 10 November 1996 Label: Consipio Formats: CD - The Show vol.6 Yohji Yamamoto Collection Music Released: 10 December 1996 Label: Consipio Formats: CD -
Collaboration albums