LOUDNESS - Exclusive BW&BK Overview Of Munetaka Higuchi Tribute Show
November 16, 2009, 14 years ago
BW&BK;'s good friend Takashi Kanazawa in Japan recently contacted us with an overview of LOUDNESS' tribute show to founding drummer Munetaka Higuchi, who passed away who passed away on November 30th, 2008 following a long battle with liver cancer. It is available below:
"The tribute concert, dubbed Everlasting Munetaka Higuchi, was held at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall in Tokyo on November 14th. The band played their classics along with various guest players.The songs performed included 'Loudness', 'Ares' Lament', 'Heavy Chains', 'In The Mirror', 'Never Change Your Mind', 'Crazy Night', 'S.D.I.', 'Like Hell', 'Gotta Fight' and 'Let It Go'.
Also, LAZY, the band Munetaka and Akira (Takasaki / guitars) started in their early days prior to Loudness played two songs; 'Dreamer' and 'Kanjite Night'. Taiji (Sawada / ex-bassist) joined for 'Black Widow' and 'Pray For the Dead'. There were two covers performed, 'Stairway To Heaven' and 'Burn'.
One of the highlights was a drum battle between five drummers (six if you include Munetaka in the big screen!). Five drum kits, side by side! Akira showed off his drum skills with his electric kit as well.
The biggest surprise of the night probably was pop icon Tamio Okuda singing 'Crazy Doctor' and 'Crazy Nights'.
Minoru (Niihara / vocals) said that this will be an annual event to showcase new and old talents. A part of proceeds from the concert will be donated to cancer charity."
Musicians that performed on the night were as follows:
-- Vocals: Minoru Niihara, Hironobu Kageyama (LAZY), Rei Hiki, Yazz (CLOUD NINE)-- Vocals / Guitar: Tamio Okuda
-- Guitar: Akira Takassaki, Atsushi "Jet Finger" Yokozeki, Hideki Numamoto, Katsuhiko Fukushima (YASHA)
-- Bass: Masayoshi Yamashita, Taiji (ex-X, ex-LOUDNESS, currently in CLOUD NINE) and Kenji "Jino" Hino
-- Drums: Masayuki "Anpan" Suzuki, Himawari (ex-SEX MACHINEGUNS), Shinya (LUNA SEA), Shuji (JANNE D'ARC), Kozo Suganuma
-- Keyboard: Shunji Inoue (LAZY), George Murasaki (MURASAKI)
