Although it has been about four years since the passing�of ZARD vocalist Sakai Izumi, her memory continues to live on even brighter in her many fans. In fact, more than 8,000 of them gathered at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo for "ZARD LAST LIVE 'What a beautiful memory ~forever you~'".

Since this year will mark the 20th anniversary since ZARD's debut, the memorial concert held an even deeper meaning. Eleven band members and five guest artists were present, and the concert began with Sakai's words from a 2004 narration about her music: "To me, words (lyrics) and music have always been very important. I wish that I can express this through my music." A special video with footage of the late singer also played while the narration came on.

The concert began with "Good-bye My Loneliness" and went on to songs such as "GOOD DAY", "Kitto Wasurenai", and "Don't you see!".

Guest artists such as FIELD OF VIEW were seen at the event and shared warm thoughts about the late singer, also playing their debut song "Kimi ga Ita Kara", which was written by Sakai Izumi.

The final songs played included "Just believe in love", to which fans held up glow sticks, and then finally her million-hit single "Makenaide", as the encore.

The concert was approximately two hours and forty five minutes in length and featured many of ZARD's greatest hits.

Source: Mantan Web