X Japan leader Yoshiki says he will never stop trying to crack U.S. market

In that photo, he kinda reminds me of Marilyn Manson (before he put on weight).

Even if he stops wearing makeup, which went out in the eighties, he will never be popular outside of Japan. The difference between Japan and the rest of the world, in terms of the entertainment industry, is that in normal places the fans decide what is good. In Japan the advertising/entertainment industry decides what is good and the "fans" abide slavishly.

@michaelbukakis

how does X-Japan sound anything like BonJovi? You need to brush up on your rock history I think mate

The difference between Japan and the rest of the world, in terms of the entertainment industry, is that in normal places the fans decide what is good. In Japan the advertising/entertainment industry decides what is good and the "fans" abide slavishly.

You've got to be kidding.

In that photo, he kinda reminds me of Marilyn Manson (before he put on weight).

He looks like a nouveau riche housewife.

I listened to him recently on Steve Jones' KLOS radio show, Jonesy's Jukebox. The interview was kind of brutal as they both couldn't understand most of what the other said. Jones was polite but also couldn't hide the fact that he knew next to nothing about Yoshiki or X Japan.

X Japan is actually quite good.  I like their style but sadly I think they will every break deep into the US market unless their label plays the money game to get their music on all the time all over the place.

@veejay - I think you are correct to a point but in the US the labels force the masses to like certain artists by drowning them in listening to their artists so much that people over time will like them.  So much money is invested to make sure they get max air time.  I stopped listening to the radio since the same f***ing songs are repeated every hour

he'll never be big in usa, but that's not because he is no good. he is a seriously talented musician. but x japan's style of bombastic euro-rock doesn't sell in usa.

but x japan's style of bombastic euro-rock doesn't sell in usa.

yes hes talented but his image is stuck in the 80s

To be honest if he's not made it in America in 25 years he should move on. There are other markets for light rock.

Because the level of rocknroll is out of reach for BonJovi soundalikes. Keep trying though.

Gambatte!

'Seriously talented artist'

absolutely Dee.

I like him, beautifully androgynous Japanese weird rock'nroll guy!!

Oh, and veejay, maybe for you makeup went out in the 80's, I'm almost 50 and still roll with eyeliner whenever possible! Hahaha!

@veejay: I don't know if you are kidding or you are serious. In the second case, I disagree with you. Sadly, in all the world it's the entertainment industry that decides what to force on the audience. I continue to listen to 70s and 80s music, because I find modern music garbage. No matters how much the industry tries to force on me people like Katy Perry or Nicki Minaj, I don't follow the trends, I follow my personal taste. There's not music that I consider "outdated", there's only good or horrible music.

 The difference between Japan and the rest of the world...

The Babaymetal has already conquered the world.

Maybe instead of relying on winning Americans over with the release of new material, he can maybe reissue old material and introduce newcomers to the classic works which made X Japan who they are today.

Unfortunately too many American music fans are parochial and don't look beyond what's thrown at them by local media. There are exceptions, but sadly not enough to achieve what Yoshiki yearns for. In my book, the lack of acceptance in the US is almost an accolade in itself - but of course, there's no $$ in that kind of accolade.

The difference between Japan and the rest of the world, in terms of the entertainment industry, is that in normal places the fans decide what is good. In Japan the advertising/entertainment industry decides what is good and the "fans" abide slavishly.

In the West it's more sophisticated..the sheepish masses think that they can decide and choose but are unaware about their enslavement :)

Very popular in Canada

Himuro Kyosuke is where the real talent is.