The Yoshiki Experience

Japan's X-metal drummer at Carnegie Hall.

His name is Yoshiki and he is the survivor of X-Japan, a former punk/metal outfit dubbed the most unlucky band in the world by some. X-Japan achieved arena stardom and worldwide fame. But, two members have died by suicide and one joined a cult. Yoshiki, the founder and drummer, so injured his own neck with his theatrical style on the skins that his doctors told him never to drum again. He returned to his roots as a classical musician and pianist and has been touring the world to play with full orchestra and collaborate with opera singers and ballet dancers wherever he goes. He ended his most recent tour at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.

The Scholar Wife got the Renaissance Son and I invited to the final performance of Yoshiki’s tour. We had no idea who we was, which is a good reminder that the world is large enough that an artist can have amassed a huge following over decades and still be obscure even to those who think of themselves as paying attention.

It’s a mixed crowd for Yoshiki in New York City — his Japanese fans are in attendance, some in full kimonos, yelling to him in Japanese from their seats, holding glowing toy drumsticks aloft and singing along with his songs. He also has a strong U.S. following, of the type that makes you wonder if he’d made an influential appearance on Ellen.

We learn throughout the show that Yoshiki is an international icon, launching a fashion line in Paris and a fleet of wines with Mondavi. After the show, hundreds line up for a chance at buying merch. We see them after the show, chasing down ride hails with their overstuffed shopping bags, emblazoned with a “Y.” He is a sensation. People love him. He has a movie coming out. It’s called Under the Sky and features St. Vincent, Sarah Brightman and The Chainsmokers.

The show is entertaining, especially the second half. As he plays through original compositions, including classical renditions of some of his metal classics, Yoshiki is joined by opera singers and dancers from the American Ballet Theatre. A rendition of Swan Lake, his only cover, is a highlight of the show. To open his second act, Yoshiki takes to the drums, going all out against his doctor’s warning.

It can’t be sugar coated — a Yoshiki concert is a sentimental experience. Yoshiki introduces each number with the story behind its composition, and almost all of his inspiration comes from loss and death. We hear about his father’s suicide, the fates of his bandmates and the recent death of his mother. Yoshiki presents himself as an injured bird, held aloft only by the devotion of his fans. But there is a connection between the 57-year-old performer and the people who go to see him, rushing the stage with floral bouquets after the show.

His vulnerability binds him to his fans in a way that’s amazing to see, as if a crowd of people gathered not just in admiration of the performer, but out of empathy for him, creating a singular concert experience. It’s not a show I would have chosen, as I had no prior knowledge, but unless you wind up there by chance, you’d never know something this big was going on. Now we wonder, now that we know Yoshiki, if his name will start popping up and if he’s been barely hidden in the pop culture firmament this whole time.

The Middlebrow realizes that this is a decidedly middlebrow post, without much of a thesis other than “hey, I saw something unexpected!” So, I leave you with this fact: Yoshiki was the first human to be made into a Hello Kitty:

This is Yoshikitty. See you next week!