X Japan drummer Yoshiki to undergo urgent surgery for neck damage so bad it ‘would force a pro rugby player to retire’
Frail 51-year-old, whose aggressive brand of heavy metal drumming would often see him writhe in pain on the floor by the end of shows, has already been playing concerts without any feeling in his left hand
Yoshiki, the force behind Japanese rockers X Japan who is known for such intense drumming he sometimes collapses on stage, cancelled upcoming shows this week to undergo urgent surgery.
The musician, songwriter and record producer, whose group was one of the biggest acts in Japanese history in the 1980s and ’90s with its fanatical fan followings, will have treatment to receive an artificial cervical disc, his management says.
“Yoshiki has been told by a neurosurgeon in Japan that his neck has experienced severe damage that would force a professional rugby player to retire. It has been medically determined that he is approaching his limit, both physically and mentally,” a statement says.
“The operation is to be performed on May 16 at a Los Angeles hospital. Unfortunately, the cancellation of all scheduled activity in May could not be avoided.”
The statement adds that the reunited X Japan would be reviewing July arena concerts in Japan as well as a subsequent global tour that had not yet been announced, with a decision later on whether the shows can be rescheduled or need to be cancelled.
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Also a classical pianist, Yoshiki played New York’s Carnegie Hall with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in January, but his doctor said on Tuesday he had already lost feeling in his left hand.
