X Japan bassist Hiroshi “Heath” Morie has died, aged 55

nme.com:

JRock News, Morie died in late October after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. Morie reportedly faced medical complications earlier in the year that ultimately led to him being diagnosed with cancer, though it hasn’t been revealed what kind of cancer he suffered from.He also reportedly did not share the news of his cancer diagnosis with his fellow X Japan bandmates, per JRock News.After hearing of Morie’s death, X Japan drummer and pianist Yoshiki reportedly cancelled a November 1 appearance at a gala in San Francisco to fly back to Shinjuku, Tokyo to pay his respects to the late bassist.

In a Facebook post dated November 3, Yoshiki told his fans that he was unable to attend the gala event because “someone close to me passed away”.Sorry I had to cancel my attendance to receive “Award of Honor" in SF.Someone close to me passed away.I made the…Posted by Yoshiki on Thursday, November 2, 2023Yoshiki has since taken to X (fka Twitter) to seemingly confirm Morie’s death, saying: “It seems that some news about the members has come out, despite the wishes of their relatives.”He went on to write: “I am currently talking with my relatives about what has happened so far and what will happen in the future.

Please give me some time. I’ll tell you how I feel after I finish it.”今､自分はNYにいます。親族の意思とは別に、メンバーのことが一部、報道が出てしまったようです。親族の方々と順を追って、これまでのこと、これからのこと、を話し合っているところです。少し時間をください。自分の気持ちは、それを終えたのちに話します。#YOSHIKI#XJAPAN #HEATH— Yoshiki (@YoshikiOfficial) November 8, 2023The rest of X Japan have yet to comment on Morie’s death.Morie joined X Japan in 1992 when he replaced former bassist Taiji.