Munetaka Higuchi ( Loudness Drummer Dies RIP )

WeROCK City has informed BLABBERMOUTH.NET that drummer Munetaka Higuchi of veteran Japanese metallers LOUDNESS passed away today (Sunday, November 30) around 10:00 a.m. (Japan Standard Time) at a hospital in Osaka, Japan. He was 49 years old.

Higuchi
was diagnosed with liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) in April
2008. He had reportedly undergone two rounds of chemotherapy treatment
and an operation to remove part of his liver.

In an October 18, 2008 statement released via the band's official web site, Munetaka
wrote about his condition (translated from Japanese), "It has been half
a year since I was diagnosed with liver cancer. I am really sorry that
the fans are worried. The cancer has become worse despite the fact that
I have been taking care of my health, and I will need more time for my
treatment. [Even after undergoing the] big operation to remove half of
my liver, I still need more treatment. There are various risks and
dangers involved with my condition, but I'll do my best to keep my
spirits up and maintain my physical strength to fight this illness. I
know it is still the middle of my treatment, but I just wanted inform
you about my progress since the operation. Thank you very much for all
the support."

LOUDNESS utilized a session drummer — Kozo Suganuma, a member of one of the most popular fusion bands in Japan, FRAGILE, and a former member of DED CHAPLIN (featuring LOUDNESS singer Minoru Niihara) — for its "special guest" appearance at MÖTLEY CRÜE's October 26, 2008 concert at Saitama Super Arena.

LOUDNESS recently released a four-disc DVD set entitled "The Legend Of Loudness - Live Complete Best" in Japan through Tokuma Communications.
It features footage spanning the band's entire career — from the early
1980s through 2008 — including the periods when it was fronted by Michael Vescera (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, OBSESSION) and Masaki Yamada (EZO).

Beat you to it, man...already posted the news in this thread:
http://www.heartofmetal.net/rip-f4/loudness-drummer-diagnosed-with-cancer-t5078.htm#184106

But either way, it's bummer news, and I will be listening to some classic Loudness today in tribute. R.I.P.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Beat you to it, man...already posted the news in this thread:
http://www.heartofmetal.net/rip-f4/loudness-drummer-diagnosed-with-cancer-t5078.htm#184106

But either way, it's bummer news, and I will be listening to some classic Loudness today in tribute. R.I.P.

ahaha i type the drummers name in the search and nothing. Yes very sad news and i will be cranking me some Loudness loud...

Bummer. CANCER SUCKS! Very sad news.

ultmetal wrote:

CANCER SUCKS!

tell me about it. i lost my dad to it a few years back. now my mother is dying from it. it'll probably get me in the end too.

Cancer really sucks I lost my father to that smurfette of a disease this April.

Out of all the diseases it seems like the worst ones cant be cured.

Sad day.

LOUDNESS Guitarist Issues Statement On Passing Of MUNETAKA HIGUCHI - Dec. 1, 2008

LOUDNESS guitarist Akira Takasaki has issued the following statement regarding the passing of the group's drummer Munetaka Higuchi:

"Our member Munetaka Higuchi has laid down his sticks as drummer of LOUDNESS and with them he has left that mortal part for which he no longer has use. He was deceased on November 30, 2008 at 10:44 am because of liver cancer. His great drum works will remain forever with our music, and his rock spirits will be succeeded among many rock fans. Rest in peace, Munetaka."

LOUDNESS Frontman: 'It Is Still Hard To Believe That MUNETAKA Went To His Eternal Rest' - Dec. 1, 2008

LOUDNESS frontman Minoru Niihara spoke to WeROCK City director Ginger Suzuki earlier today (Monday, December 1) about the passing of the band's drummer Munetaka Higuchi.

"It is still hard to believe that Munetaka went to his eternal rest," the singer said backstage after the Tokyo concert of Minoru's new project, NISHIDERA MINORU. "It seems unreal to me so far. I will never forget all the things we shared, such as making albums, playing live, drinking together. I truly miss him."

He continued, "I had a show to perform tonight in Tokyo with my new project called NISHIDERA MINORU. It's not heavy metal but Japanese Top 40 rock, mostly from the '80s. And the opening song was a ballad. I thought I was going to cry, but I know Munetaka always used to say how much he loved my singing. Even when I got kicked out of LOUDNESS one time, he encouraged me by saying that he still loved my singing, so I decided to dedicate that song to him. I know he'd have been happy to hear my singing."

He added, "I'm going to get together with the rest of LOUDNESS members tomorrow for Munetaka's pre-funeral.

"I got emails from all over the world with many kinds words. I just wanted to thank everybody for your grateful thoughts."

Sometimes I think that's how we will all die. Cancer really needs to be cured! Government funds need to be diverted to research funding. But that's another argument for another time. Rest in Peace, metal brother. And rest in Peace all those who have been mentioned here today. May their memories and laughter
and love live on forever!!!

that sucks, never much of a loudness fan but my sympathies to them anyway.

R.I.P.

Rest in peace, Munetaka.

R.I.P.

Me and my friends all donned our Loudness shirts the other day, blasting some good ol' Loudness and drank shots of sake in tribute to the wonderful drummer.

I was actually really sad when I heard the news. I really like Loudness.

R.I.P.