Photo/Illutration Yukihiro Takahashi, right, with fellow musician Keiichi Suzuki (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Yukihiro Takahashi, the drummer and lead vocalist of the electronically innovative Yellow Magic Orchestra, has died at the age of 70, sources said. 

The Tokyo native underwent surgery in 2020 to have a brain tumor removed and had been battling ill-health.

Takahashi made his name as the drummer of the Sadistic Mika Band, which gained international acclaim after giving a series of concerts in Britain.

He began his musical career as a studio musician while in high school and joined the Sadistic Mika Band in 1972 when he was still attending college.

Six years later, he formed the YMO with Haruomi Hosono and Ryuichi Sakamoto. It was one of the first popular music groups to feature synthesizers and other electronic instruments.

In addition to drumming, Takahashi served as lead vocalist for many YMO numbers. “Rydeen,” an instrumental piece he composed, was a huge hit.

Although massively popular inside and outside Japan, the group dissolved in 1983.

The three members came together occasionally to perform as the YMO since the 1990s.

After the YMO, Takahashi focused on a solo career.

But his passion was not limited to music. He also was a fashion designer and actor. He played the protagonist in the 1986 movie “April Fish” directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi.

Artists close to Takahashi performed in a concert held last September to celebrate his 50 years in the music business as he was too sick to appear there.

After the news of Takahashi’s death was reported on Jan. 15, Sakamoto posted a box of gray with no words on his Twitter account, apparently expressing his grief and condolences.

Fans of the YMO posted comments saying they hoped Sakamoto will live many more years for the sake of Takahashi.

Sakamoto, 70, is battling cancer.

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