Heath Dies: X Japan’s Longtime Bassist Was 55

deadline.com:

Heath, the longtime bassist of Japan’s most popular rock group X Japan, has died, the group confirmed today. He was 55. The musician died October 29 of colorectal cancer, according to a statement from the group. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of X Japan’s esteemed bass player Heath after his battle with colorectal cancer, on October 29th, 2023, at the age of 55,” the group said in a statement. “His cancer was found during an examination in June of this year.

Despite his efforts to battle the disease, his condition declined suddenly in October, and he took his last breath in the hospital. “We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to those who cherished Heath throughout his lifetime.

We, the members of X Japan have personally bid farewell to Heath, but are still deeply saddened and dismayed by his sudden loss.” Formed in 1982, the single-named members of X Japan became megastars in Asia with their 1989 sophomore album Blue Blood.

Heath joined the group in 1992 and played on its albums Art of Life (1993) and Dahlia (1996), both of which topped the Japanese album charts.