In a somber announcement on November 11th, 2023, X JAPAN shared the heartbreaking news of the passing of their esteemed bass player, HEATH. He lost his battle with colorectal cancer on October 29th, 2023, at the age of 55.

Official announcement from X JAPAN:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of XJAPAN’s esteemed bass player HEATH after his battle with colorectal cancer, on October 29th, 2023, at the age of 55.

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 deeplysaddened and dismayed by his sudden loss. Individual tributes from X JAPAN members will be shared on HEATH’s official website at
https://www.heathproject.com/.

HEATH’s obituary was originally scheduled for release in mid-November in accordance with his family’s wishes, but it is being announced today due to unwarranted media coverage over the last few days.

The funeral will be held among immediate family members only. The family asks that any visits, donations or flowers be withheld. The date of the funeral will remain undisclosed. We appreciate your understanding.

A formal farewell ceremony for HEATH will be arranged at a later date. That ceremony will be led by X JAPAN leader YOSHIKI in accordance with HEATH’s wishes as conveyed by his family.

X JAPAN extends our love and prayers to HEATH and would like to thank everyone who has supported him.

November 11th, 2023
X JAPAN

The leader of X JAPAN, YOSHIKI also shared this on his X:

I am still at a loss for words at this heartbreaking news. I am confused as to whether I should be writing this message as YOSHIKI or as the leader of X JAPAN.

I received the news about HEATH’s passing right after a performance and event in New York. I flew immediately to Tokyo to say farewell to him.

HEATH joined X JAPAN in 1992 through an introduction by HIDE. The announcement that he joined the band was made at Rockefeller Center in New York, our first concert together was at Tokyo Dome, and our first TV performance was NHK’s year-end Kohaku Utagassen. Despite having to jump in during such high-profile events and the pressure he must have felt, HEATH always gave it his all as a phenomenal bass player.

After our band reunited, we went on a world tour in the U.S, Europe, South America and Asia. When I suggested HEATH to play bass together with TAIJI in what became the latter’s final show, he happily accepted. He was such a wonderful bass player, a band member, and a wonderful human being.

HEATH and I got closer than ever over this past year. On my birthday last year, he appeared as a guest on my program, and we talked endlessly afterwards in my dressing room. There was also a time after that when we talked on the phone for hours until daybreak.

This summer, on August 20th, HEATH performed as a guest at my dinner show. How could I have known that that would be my last performance with him?

I couldn’t help make HEATH’s wishes come true, and for that I feel fully responsible. I apologized to him when I bid farewell.

Speaking as YOSHIKI personally, I am so mentally and physically drained, so drenched in sorrow, that I don’t know what to say right now. I feel that if I stop now, I won’t be able to go any further, so I’m immersing myself in my busy schedule.

But as the leader of the band, there are still some things that I must do. HEATH’s family conveyed his words to me: “Don’t be sad,” he said. “Cheer up, and say goodbye to me with a smile.” HEATH also requested that I, YOSHIKI, be in charge of his memorial concert.

I will discuss this further with his family to make sure that that is accomplished. There are also several things I need to fight for in order to make that happen.

My story with HEATH keeps going on and on. I wish I knew how to express the depth of my feelings here, but first I need to learn how to live with this profound loss. I will have more to say in the future.

Thank you for everything, HEATH. And may you rest in peace. I hope that someday we can play music together again.

11/11/2023

In the wake of this tragic loss, X JAPAN and their dedicated fans come together to remember and honor the enduring legacy of HEATH, whose music will continue to inspire and resonate in the hearts of many.