He was a favorite “ice breaker,” or conversation starter, of mine during my career as a music journalist. Invoke this composer’s name, and I’d get a foot in the door. Thomas Dolby once told me the story that I’d long wanted to hear – how the two met, and ultimately collaborated. Peter Murphy recalled playing a festival that also featured one of his idols – but the goth icon was too shy and overwhelmed to approach him.
Invoke this musical genius’ name, and I’d get a response. Most often, in hushed tones. People revered the pianist and Yellow Magic Orchestra co-founder as a demigod, in Japan and around the world.
He wrote film score after film score… movies were an ideal delivery vehicle for his larger-than-life melodies. In perhaps his most famous effort, he also had an acting role – co-starring with David Bowie. In the studio and on stage, he was everywhere – rock, electronic music, jazz, classical. His collaborations with Western vocalists and lyricists – Dolby, Iggy Pop, David Sylvian, Jill Jones and many more – now the stuff of legend.
I saw him perform in Seattle over 20 years ago, most improbably in a rock n roll joint with a capacity of 1,200. The line to get in snaked down two blocks. Later, it seemed that 3,000 people surrounded this humble man and his piano; a living shrine. One of the most mindblowing concerts that I’ve ever witnessed.
He had been ill before, with cancer, and bounced back. This time… was a long goodbye, one last dance with his fans. It’s been a time to remember all of the exquisitely beautiful music that he created. So long ago, we’ve realized, his name became synonymous with “beauty.”
Ryuichi Sakamoto – demigod, conversation starter and creator of the most gorgeous music of my lifetime – is gone, aged 71.
