The run of bad luck with bassists continues on, as it’s been confirmed that former X Japan and Loudness bassist Taiji Sawada passed away yesterday. According to the UK’s Telegraph, the Japanese bassist and songwriter had been arrested by federal authorities on July 11 for allegedly assaulting a female member of the cabin crew on a flight from Tokyo to Saipan. He was detained at the ICU and placed on a life support machine after attempting to kill himself by using a bedsheet to hang himself a day before he was supposed to appear in a federal court for his detention hearing. Sawada was 45 years old.
Sawada is best known for his work in X Japan (while it still went under the name X). He was featured on the group’s first three albums, including 1989’s Blue Blood, before parting ways with them in 1992. He also had a short stint in Loudness, only recording one album within the year following his exit from X Japan. Sawada went on to form numerous groups, including D.T.R. (Dirty Trashroad).
Our condolences to Sawada family and friends.
