On the 28th, THE YELLOW MONKEY's Kazuya Yoshii paid a touching tribute to the late Atsushi Sakurai of BUCK-TICK. The news of Sakurai's sudden passing sent shockwaves through the music world, prompting Yoshii to share his heartfelt thoughts on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Yoshii reflected, "I don't think THE YELLOW MONKEY would be what it is today if he hadn't been allowed to participate in an event called 'LSB' back in 1994." This message of admiration was accompanied by a photo of BUCK-TICK's latest album, "Izora," released in April. Yoshii praised the album, saying, "This new work goes beyond style and gives a sense of mystery. As a pioneer, we will continue to improve in the future."

It's clear that Yoshii had high hopes for Sakurai's future endeavors, as he expressed, "I was hoping that he would move on to something new, but I am truly disappointed. I pray that his soul may rest in peace."

Sakurai's untimely demise came after falling ill during a performance on the 19th and being rushed to the hospital. Sadly, he passed away that same night due to a brain stem hemorrhage.

Atsushi Sakurai's legacy in the music industry is undeniable, and the deep impact he had on fellow musicians, like Kazuya Yoshii and THE YELLOW MONKEY, is evident. His memory will live on through his work, cherished by fans and revered by his peers. The loss of such a talented and influential figure is truly a poignant moment in the world of music.