Munetaka Higuchi
December 24, 1958 – November 30, 2008
Munetaka Higuchi was the founding drummer for Japanese metal band, Loudness. A talented musician from an early age, Higuchi played in several bands while still in high school. In 1981, he and friend, Akira Takasaki, formed Loudness who became the first Japanese heavy metal band to land a recording contract in the United States. Higuchi released a solo album, Destruction, while still in the band, and then left in 1992 to launch a solo career. In 1997, he released Free World, and album that included such guests as Terry Bozzio, Steve Vai, Stanley Clarke, Billy Sheehan and Ronnie James Dio. Higuchi reunited with Loudness in 2001. On November 30, 2008, Munetaka Higuchi died of liver cancer at the age of 49.
Thanks to Craig Rosen from Number1Albums for the assist.
What You Should Own
Ok, I’m 14 months late, but I just stumbled in.
I had no idea Higuchi was no longer with us. Too bad. He was a skilled drummer in an underrated band. Some pretty thunderous beats for a metal drummer who only used one bass pedal.