LOUDNESS - Second Munetaka Higuchi Tribute Show Confirmed
November 18, 2009, 14 years ago
According to BW&BK; source Takashi Kanazawa, LOUDNESS will hold a tribute show for founding drummer Munetaka Higuchi on November 29th at the Ebisu Liquid Room in Tokyo, Japan. Dubbed the Sorrowful Night, there will be a memorial fan meeting with the band after the show.
Higuchi passed away passed away on November 30th, 2008 following a long battle with liver cancer.
As previously reported, Kanazawa recently checked in with an overview of Loudness' November 14th tribute show to Higuchi:
"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)
