X Japan is a Japanese rock band from Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer and pianist Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi. Starting as a predominantly power/speed metal band with heavy symphonic elements, they later gravitated towards a progressive sound with an emphasis on ballads. Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label, the group is widely credited as one of the pioneers of visual kei, a movement among Japanese musicians comparable to Western glam.
X Japan at New York Comic Con in 2014. From left to right: HEATH, PATA, YOSHIKI, TOSHI and SUGIZO.
X circa 1990: Toshi, Taiji, Yoshiki, Pata, Hide
X Japan with guests Richard Fortus, Sugizo, and Wes Borland in 2008.
A special illumination in Taipei, in celebration of the first X Japan live concert in Taiwan in 2009.
Yoshiki Hayashi , known as Yoshiki, is a Japanese musician, songwriter, composer, record producer, film director, and fashion designer. He is best known as the leader of the visual kei rock bands X Japan and the Last Rockstars, for which he is the drummer, pianist, and main songwriter. He has been described by Billboard as a "musical innovator" and named "one of the most influential composers in Japanese history" by Consequence. Yoshiki's solo career includes several classical studio albums and collaborations with artists such as George Martin, Bono, will.i.am, St. Vincent, the Chainsmokers, Skrillex, Ellie Goulding, Stan Lee, Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen, Gene Simmons and KISS, Nicole Scherzinger, and Sarah Brightman.
Yoshiki at Otakon in 2006
Yoshiki at his drum kit during a 2011 X Japan concert in São Paulo, after the band's reunion in 2007
Yoshiki performing at Japan Expo in 2010
Yoshiki playing the piano at the Grammy Museum in 2013