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Japanese rock legend Yoshiki to be honored with a handprint ceremony in Hollywood

32 Comments
By Krista Rogers, SoraNews24

Billboard dubbed him a “musical innovator” while Consequence wrote that he’s “one of the most influential musicians and composers in Japanese history.” Now, 57-year-old drummer, pianist, composer, and all-around inspirational artist Yoshiki has unlocked a new achievement by having his handprints and footprints immortalized outside of the TCL Chinese Theatre in downtown Hollywood.

Rising to widespread fame as the leader and co-founder of legendary Japanese rock band X Japan, Yoshiki has also gone on to have a successful and prolific solo career, performing in front of massive crowds at venues around the world. Outside of music, he’s also well-known for his contributions to film, fashion, his high-profile acquaintances, as well as everything from generous charitable acts to his Yoshikitty collaboration with Hello Kitty.

▼ Yoshiki sharing news of the honor on his X account

Screen-Shot-2023-09-12-at-11.29.58.png

The ceremony on Thursday 14 marks a particularly momentous occasion as Yoshiki will be the first Japanese person ever to receive the honor out of roughly 300 pioneers in the entertainment industry whose handprints have been left outside of the Theatre since the tradition began in 1927. Other actors of Japanese descent such as silent film star Sessue Hayakawa (1886-1973), Japanese-American actor Mako Iwamatsu (1933-2006), and even Godzilla have been honored with stars on the nearby Hollywood Walk of Fame, but with over 2,760 of those, Yoshiki will join a much more exclusive club.

At the ceremony, his good friend Gene Simmons of the American band Kiss will be in attendance and his Korean actor friend Byung-hun Lee is slated to be a guest speaker. His first directorial work, a long documentary film titled "Yoshiki: Under the Sky," is also set to have its Hollywood premier at the TCL Chinese Theatre on the same day.

Finally, fans of Yoshiki have even more reason to celebrate as the musician will be kicking off his Yoshiki Classical 10th Anniversary World Tour with Orchestra 2023 “Requiem” in Tokyo beginning on October 7. We wish him all the best as he embarks on this new journey in Japan, followed by stops in London, Los Angeles, and New York.

Source: ITmedia Inc

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- X Japan’s Yoshiki to be the first Japanese male to appear on the cover of Vogue Japan

-- Yoshiki makes surprise appearance at Kiss concert in Tokyo 【Video】

-- J-rock king Yoshiki meets U.K.’s Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace【Photos】

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

32 Comments
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Playing fast and loose with the word “Legend”, no?

2 ( +11 / -9 )

Congratulations.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

So many unforgettable songs, it's really difficult to pick a favourite...

0 ( +9 / -9 )

David Brent

Today 07:40 am JST

Playing fast and loose with the word “Legend”, no?

Jealous much?

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

If any musician Japanese or not Japanese deserves this then Yoshiki tops my list!

Yoshiki You earned it, congratulations!

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

Indeed. He even hobnobbed with the late Queen Elizabeth

X Japan’s Yoshiki apologizes for scarf blowing onto Queen Elizabeth II at polo

https://japantoday.com/category/entertainment/X-Japan’s-Yoshiki-apologizes-for-scarf-blowing-onto-Queen-Elizabeth-II-at-polo

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Legend ! ?

4 ( +10 / -6 )

A bit too much.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

And most of the world said, "Who?" Hardly a legend outside of Japan. Wonder how much he paid the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for the "honor"...

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Those handprints often cost the owner of the hand or his friends about $100,000.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

USNinJapan2

Today 12:44 pm JST

And most of the world said, "Who?" Hardly a legend outside of Japan. Wonder how much he paid the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for the "honor"...

You mean because you as an American have not heard of him or the US hasn't heard of him he mustn't be important typical Westerner!

X-Japan are legends in much of Asian, you know that region of the world Westerners forget exist and have a long culture of their own?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

borscht

Today 01:04 pm JST

Those handprints often cost the owner of the hand or his friends about $100,000.

Where did you get this fake news from?

A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame costs $50,000 usually paid for by supporters that nominated the celebrity.

So the idea of $100,000 for wet cement and handprints I pure Fantasy!

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

This guy’s drumming was a joke.

Yet everyone raves like he’s Bill Bruford or Carl Palmer.

Not even close.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

This guy’s drumming was a joke.

Yet everyone raves like he’s Bill Bruford or Carl Palmer.

Not even close.

Or even a Neal Peart or Vinnie Colaiuta, not sure what the allure is about this guy, I think Hollywood is just giving out stars just to find someone anyone fill the Blvd.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Always funny to see reactions to non American celebs getting recognized in America. Just cause you didn’t know him doesn’t mean actual rich and famous people don’t. Definitely surprised by some of the connections celebs make around the world even if it seems like BS.

Like when people would ask who the heck Lewis Hamilton is when he appears at the MET or ONE OK ROCK hanging out with Ed Sheeran. Just because we don’t know them doesn’t mean they don’t. Out of my pay range that’s for sure lol

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Overrated drummer. It’s a handprint in Hollywood not Tokyo. Nobody knows or cares about him in North America.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Antiquesaving

You mean because you as an American have not heard of him or the US hasn't heard of him he mustn't be important typical Westerner!

Born and raised in Japan and my opinion is that he's overrated and his fame is inflated. Go look at how many monthly listeners he has. Combined with X Japan's listenership it's still under a million. Again, not an international superstar by any measure.

X-Japan are legends in much of Asian, you know that region of the world Westerners forget exist and have a long culture of their own?

Right, so he belongs (perhaps) in the Asian walk of fame, if such a thing existed. Precisely my point.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

bass4funk

Today 01:39 pm JST

This guy’s drumming was a joke.

> Yet everyone raves like he’s Bill Bruford or Carl Palmer.

> Not even close.

> Or even a Neal Peart or Vinnie Colaiuta,

As the person on the street in most of Asia who are Neal Peart or Vinnie Colaiuta and watch their eyes glaze over in confusion as they haven't a clue!

Then ask if they know Yoshiki and see the reaction!

Yes folks there are other famous people that are not Americans or Europeans.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

I know it is hard for many here to comprehend that there is a world outside the USA and UK, but yes there is.

Yoshiki and X-Japan started or were one of the groups that was responsible for the Visual-kei music scene.

The west may not have gone for it ( well not back then but today look at what is going on and clearly someone was watching Visual-kei and now claim they are innovators) .

It is sad that so many here need to put all Japanese art and music down as if because the West hasn't heard of them the are nothing.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Antiquesaving

This is the HOLLYWOOD walk of fame. In the USA. Yoshiki's star is bought, not earned.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

USNinJapan2

Today 06:09 pm JST

Antiquesaving

> This is the HOLLYWOOD walk of fame. In the USA. Yoshiki's star is bought, not earned.

Jealousy isn't pretty!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

USNinJapan2

Today 06:09 pm JST

Antiquesaving

> This is the HOLLYWOOD walk of fame. In the USA. Yoshiki's star is bought, not earned

Got proof he bought it?

I suspect no!

I guess going by your standards we need to remove Toshiro Mifune and others non Americans or that never worked in Hollywood!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I have lost count of the number of times people have asked me which is the best Yoshiki album.

It is an impossible task going back through his peerless canon of work and picking one that defines his singular talent so I always say ‘The Best of Yoshiki’.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Sorry, I meant Kiyoshi.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Antique

You're deluded if you think you can compare how well Yoshiki is known in the US to Mifune Toshio. There's no comparison. 99+% of people who walk over Yoshiki's star aren't going to have the first clue who he is. I'm not criticizing his talent or accomplishments; I'm saying your estimation of his fame in America is grossly exaggerated.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

USNinJapan2

Today 08:17 pm JST

Antique

> You're deluded if you think you can compare how well Yoshiki is known in the US to Mifune Toshio. There's no comparison. 99+% of people who walk over Yoshiki's star aren't going to have the first clue who he is.

And what percentage know who Mifune Toshio is?

Seriously you have a problem with Yoshiki and are the one with the delusion.

More young people will know Yoshiki over a mostly black and White film star from Japan.

The chances of anyone today knowing either of them is far higher with Yoshiki than Mifune Toshio.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

USNinJapan2

Today 06:09 pm JST

Still waiting for your proof that he bought his spot!

I feel suggest he's bought his way into the Queens private box at the polar match also!

I won't hold my breath for you to show your proof of him having bought his place in front of the theater!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

antiquesaving

A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame costs $50,000 usually paid for by supporters that nominated the celebrity.

So the idea of $100,000 for wet cement and handprints I pure Fantasy

The last I read, about 20 years ago, those handprints cost $80,000. I just added a few thousand for greed and inflation. Thanks for showing the prices have been lowered.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Think it was Billy Connolly who said, along the lines of, “Every third star are people you've never heard of.” This will be one of them.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

As the person on the street in most of Asia who are Neal Peart or Vinnie Colaiuta and watch their eyes glaze over in confusion as they haven't a clue!

Well, most Japanese didn’t get to hear a lot of the greatest bands from the 70’s and 80’s

Then ask if they know Yoshiki and see the reaction!

I get it for this island and other parts of Asia overwhelmingly, I get it, but to give him a star? If he were as internationally known as Prince then go for it, but this….weird.

Yes folks there are other famous people that are not Americans or Europeans.

True, but still not as big or even measured in sales units.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well, most Japanese didn’t get to hear a lot of the greatest bands from the 70’s and 80’s

Greatest bands? Who are they? Sounds a bit subjective.

Are you basing this on sales?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Greatest bands?

Yes.

Who are they?

Too many to count off.

Sounds a bit subjective.

Are you basing this on sales?

Music is indeed subjective, if you calculate record sales, and if you count, worldwide, recognition, concert time, domestically and internationally, radio and airtime, promotional interviews and print magazine, then you would have to go by the majority, and in that case, most bands and Yoshiki don’t even come close to making the cut.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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