Taiji Sawada (best known as the former bassist of X Japan and one time bassist for Loudness) passed away today, Sunday, July 17, 2011 at the age of 45. Circumstances leading to his passing is yet to be confirmed but Wikipedia references stated that Sawada was arrested on July 11th "for interference with a flight attendant" due to an incident on a plane en route from Japan to Saipan and was facing federal charges in the US for this incident. On July 14th, Sawada was taken to an intensive care unit after attempting suicide by hanging himself, thus delaying his court appearance.
Taiji was a member of X Japan from 1985 to 1992. He composed the songs Phantom of Guilt, Desperate Angel and Voiceless Screaming in his stay with X. He left the band after the On The Verge of Destruction tour due to musical differences with founder/drummer Yoshiki. He went on to record one studio album and one live album with Loudness featuring ex-EZO frontman Masaki Yamada on vocals.
Sawada also recorded and performed with Dirty Trashroad, launched CLOUD NINE with guitarist Shu Yamagishi, and had stepped back into the spotlight as of 2010 with his own band, TAIJI WITH HEAVENS, recording one EP and performing live.
After almost 18 years, in 2010, Sawada was invited to join X Japan as a guest musician for their Nissan Stadium shows in Tokyo on August 14th and 15th, 2010.
From all of us here, we would like to share our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Taiji's music and his skills in playing the bass guitar will never be forgotten.
Sources:
Bravewords
TokyoHive
Saipan Tribune via Wikipedia
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