Toshi (musician) explained

Toshi
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Toshimitsu Deyama
Native Name:出山 利三
Birth Date:10 October 1965
Birth Place:Tateyama, Japan
Years Active:1977–present
Current Member Of:X Japan
Website:toshi-samuraijapan.com
Module:
Child:yes
Kanji:出山 利三
Romaji:Deyama Toshimitsu
Hiragana:でやま としみつ

, known exclusively by his stage name Toshi,[1] is a Japanese singer and songwriter who is the lead vocalist and a co-founder of the rock band X Japan, who rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s and is credited as founders of the visual kei movement. Toshi began an extensive solo career in 1992 before leaving X Japan at the end of 1997. Toshi laments he was "brainwashed" by a group called Home of Heart, whose leader would control his musical output for the next 12 years. In 2007, X Japan reunited and began a world tour. Toshi severed ties with Home of Heart in January 2010 and renewed his solo career. His distinctive, impassioned tenor vocals have been compared to those of Steve Perry.[2] In January 2018, he began to use the stage name .[3]

Career

1982–1993: X Japan

See main article: X Japan.

In 1977, Toshi and his childhood friend Yoshiki formed a band called Dynamite in their hometown of Tateyama, Chiba, when they were just 11 years old. The group changed its name to Noise in 1978, while they were still in high school. At this time Toshi was a guitar player, but following the departure of their vocalist, Toshi was selected for the position after being deemed the best singer remaining in the group.[4] In 1982, Noise disbanded and Yoshiki and Toshi formed a new band, naming it X while they tried to think of another name, but the name stuck. X began to actively perform in the Tokyo area in 1985 with a frequently changing lineup. They released their first album, Vanishing Vision, in 1988 through Yoshiki's own Extasy Records and toured extensively in support of the record. They would become one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label,[5] and were later widely credited as one of the pioneers of visual kei.[6] [7]

X's major label debut album, Blue Blood, was released in April 1989 and debuted at number six on the Oricon chart.[8] Its success earned the band the "Grand Prix New Artist of the Year" award at the 4th annual Japan Gold Disc Awards in 1990.[9] Their third album, Jealousy, was released in 1991 and debuted at number one, selling over 600,000 copies.[10] It was later certified at one million by the RIAJ.[11] Shortly after the release of 1993's Art of Life, which also topped the Oricon chart,[8] the members of X Japan took a break to start solo projects.

1992–2007: Solo career, Home of Heart, and leaving X

Toshi started his solo career in 1992 on BMG Victor with Made in Heaven, which reached number three on the Oricon chart. His eldest brother was given the job of his manager. However, after several incidents, Toshi gave him a sum of money to quit. His new manager, who also became connected with the management of X Japan, was fired after large sums of money went missing from both offices.[12] During the early 1990s, he started working with renowned American vocal coach Roger Love, who has been his coach ever since.[13]

In 1993, Toshi starred in a musical adaptation of Hamlet as the title character. The role of Ophelia was performed by Kaori Moritani, whom he would marry four years later on February 17, 1997.[14] She played a large part in Toshi becoming disenchanted with performing in a rock band.[12]

His next two albums, Mission (1994) and Grace (1995), also reached the top five on the Oricon chart. Dahlia, which would become X Japan's last album, was released in November 1996 and once again reached the number one spot.[8]

In August 1997 Toshi first saw a concert of, better known as Masaya, a musician and the leader of an organization called Home of Heart (formerly known as Lemuria Island, and later as Healing World).[15] Toshi was emotionally touched by Masaya's "healing music" or new-age music, which Kaori introduced him to, and the two became friends.[12] His wife, connection with Masaya, and participation in Home of Heart all became the source of many disagreements with his other older brother, who had become his manager in March 1995.[12]

On September 22, 1997, it was announced that Toshi had decided to leave X Japan. They performed their farewell show at the Tokyo Dome on December 31. In September 1998, the magazine Shūkan Gendai published several stories claiming Toshi was brainwashed by Home of Heart,[14] selling their music and other products, and being used as a spokesman. Toshi would later confirm these claims in his autobiography,[12] but at the time refuted them and explained that his decision to leave X Japan dated back as far as April 1996, more than a year before he met Masaya, and that the glamorous, success-oriented life of a rock star failed to satisfy him emotionally, as opposed to a simpler life and career.[15] Other media picked up the story, forcing Toshi and Masaya to give interviews where they blamed Toshi's brother and management for fabricating the stories. When transcripts of a telephone conversation were published, a search found wiretaps at Toshi's house and Home of Heart's office.[12]

In October 1998, Toshi's management company underwent changes and came to be run by Masaya and Kaori. This was a violation of his recording contract, resulting in him being let go from BMG and having to pay a large fee.[12] From that point onwards, Toshi's musical output was written and produced by Masaya and released through Home of Heart and their label Healing World. He embarked on extensive touring, traveling across Japan to perform acoustic concerts for small audiences. According to their website, his concert tour, which began in 1999, performed over 3000 shows by 2007.[15] In April 2004, Home of Heart was brought up on charges of child abuse by Masaki Kito.[16] Toshi and his office were involved in the court cases. In April, Toshi was sued for defaming Kito after he made statements about the accusations.[12] In May, he then sued Kito for defamation and obstruction of business.[12] Toshi was ultimately cleared of charges in the child abuse case without suspicion.[12]

2007–2010: X Japan reunion and leaving Home of Heart

According to a report by the newspaper Sponichi, Toshi visited Yoshiki in Los Angeles in November 2006 to work on the song "Without You" as a tribute to former X Japan guitarist Hide, who died in 1998.[17] In March 2007, Toshi announced on his website that he and Yoshiki had recently resumed working together, stating that a "new project" would commence soon.[18] Rumors of a X Japan reunion subsequently began, and in June Yoshiki was reported as having expressed interest in a tour (beginning in Los Angeles), "Without You" being released as a single and that he was in talks with Heath and Pata regarding their participation.[17] On October 22, 2007, X Japan announced their reunion and released the Saw IV theme song, "I.V.".[19]

With X Japan's restart came a restart of Toshi's solo activities. On June 11, 2008, his new band Toshi with T-Earth was announced, with a line-up of Phantasmagoria guitarist Jun, and guitarist Touya and bassist Ruka from the band Charlotte. For their live shows they would switch between La'cryma Christi's drummer Levin and Luna Sea's drummer Shinya. Their first album Earth Spirit was released on August 8, they dubbed their music "eco hard rock", as the reason for starting the band was to draw attention to the environment. In October, T-Earth performed two shows in South America, in Chile and Brazil. Their second album Haruka Naru Toki wo Koete, was released on November 26.[20]

In April 2009, it was announced that 13-year-old drummer Riku, would be joining the group and that anyone who wanted to could apply to join, the only requirement was "people who want to save the Earth". In July, 18-year-old guitarist Ryo and 24-year-old bassist Kain officially joined the band. On August 13, they released an album in 2 versions: Hontou no Ai and its English version, Truth.[20]

On January 18, 2010, Toshi filed a lawsuit against his record company Home of Heart, accusing them of claiming all of his income over the past 12 years, eventually forcing him to announce bankruptcy.[14] Effectively severing ties with the company and its leader Masaya.[21] He also divorced his wife Kaori Moritani in February of the same year, who had also been working for Home of Heart, Ltd. Toshi even disclosed how they "effectively have not been husband and wife" saying: "Aside from having met her occasionally related to work, I do not know anything about her actual life." Toshi also claims that she had been living with Masaya for the past 10 years.[14] [22]

2010–present: Renewed solo career

On February 8, Toshi opened a new official website, which announced that he would release one last mini album, entitled Samurai Japan, on February 24. His stage name is now written as Toshl. The songs were completely composed and produced by Toshi and feature X Japan's Pata and Sugizo. His "last solo concert" was on February 24, which he performed with X Japan's members as guest musicians.

On November 22, Toshi announced the first performance of his new project, entitled Toshl feat. Yoshiki, would be held on January 24 and 25, 2011. It was a high-end dinner show, where the attendees were served a French meal by renowned chef Mikuni Kiyomi, and enjoyed a piano duet by Toshi and Yoshiki, an orchestra was also utilized. It was also announced that the duo would release their first songs earlier that month.[23]

In response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan on March 11, Toshi performed eight concerts throughout western Japan. All of the shows were acoustic due to the electricity shortage and featured X Japan's Heath, Luna Sea's Shinya and the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa. All proceeds were donated to the Japanese Red Cross to aid the victims.[24] On June 22, Toshi released two songs, "Hoshizora no Neptune" and "Haru no Negai", as digital downloads that are available overseas.[25] It was announced that Toshi had joined European record label Bishi Bishi in September 2011.[26]

On March 27, 2013, Toshi released his first full-length album since restarting his solo career, Cherry Blossom.[27] The single "Love is Maria" was also released that day, both are available worldwide in 111 countries.[27] His next album Crystal Rock Chapter 1-3 was released on June 12.[28]

Toshi released the book on July 23, 2014, which talks about his leaving X Japan, being "brainwashed" via violence and abuse, reuniting with X and going bankrupt.[29] On August 25, he held a special concert at Zepp Diver City where he was supported by a one-off band consisting of Kei (baroque), Yuu (Merry), Akinori (lynch.) and Shinya of Dir En Grey.[30] Toshi collaborated with Sukekiyo, singing on the track included with the limited edition of their 2015 mini album Vitium.[31]

In 2016, Toshi became sound producer for Fuji TV's game company Fuji Games.[32] He created "Crystal Memories" as the theme song for their 2017 smartphone video game Ordinal Strata.[33] In 2018, Toshi made his voice acting debut in the game voicing a version of himself.[34] He also collaborated with hip-hop artist AK-69 on the rapper's digital single "Brave".[35] On September 3, he released a food book titled .[36] In September, it was announced that Toshi had signed with Universal Music Group, where he would release a cover album titled Im a Singer on November 28. It was his first album to be released on a major record label in 20 years.[37] A second cover album, Im a Singer Vol. 2, was released on December 4, 2019.[38]

In 2019, Toshi made an appearance as a guest artist at the annual touring ice show Fantasy on Ice. His opening performance to "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" from the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion in Kobe and Toyama attracted international media attention.[39] Notable was also his live music collaboration with figure skater and two-time Olympic champion, Yuzuru Hanyu, to the songs "Masquerade" and "Crystal Memories".[40] Since their first encounter at Fantasy on Ice, Toshi has expressed his admiration for Hanyu on multiple occasions and rooted for him to succeed at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.[41]

Im a Singer Vol. 3 was released on September 28, 2022. Unlike Toshi's two previous cover albums, it features an original composition, "Hazakura", and a duet with Kanji Ishimaru.[42]

Discography

As Toshl

Albums
Mini-albums
Singles
DVDs

As Toshi

Albums
Singles and mini-albums
Duet albums
Live album
Compilation albums
Home videos

With X Japan

See main article: X Japan discography.

Other work

References

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Currently stylized as Toshl (with a lowercase L) and previously in all capital letters.
  2. News: Connor. Thomas. Lollapalooza: X Japan makes U.S. debut, wins converts. Chicago Sun-Times. August 9, 2010. April 18, 2015. Alt URL
  3. Web site: Profile. October 16, 2019. Toshl Official Website. ja.
  4. Web site: Interview with Yoshiki . nipponproject.com . September 11, 2010 . May 23, 2014.
  5. Book: Yang, Jeff. Can, Dina. Hong, Terry. Eastern Standard Time. Houghton Mifflin. 1997. Boston. 264. 0-395-76341-X. registration.
  6. Web site: Minnie. Chi. X Japan Best review. Asia Pacific Arts Online Magazine. October 26, 2012. https://archive.today/20120604145254/http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=7936. June 4, 2012. dead.
  7. News: Strauss. Neil. The Pop Life: End of a Life, End of an Era. The New York Times. June 18, 1998. October 26, 2012.
  8. Web site: ja:X JAPANのアルバム売り上げランキング. http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/26180/ranking/cd_album. oricon.co.jp. ja. October 26, 2012.
  9. Web site: The Japan Gold Disc Award 1990. golddisc.jp. ja. October 26, 2012.
  10. Web site: Oricon Weekly Album Chart for the third week of July 1991. oricon.co.jp. ja. October 26, 2012.
  11. Web site: RIAJ CERTIFIED MILLION SELLER ALBUMS. ocn.ne.jp. October 26, 2012. dead. https://archive.today/20120805230217/http://www18.ocn.ne.jp/~hbr/jp1mal_e.htm. August 5, 2012.
  12. Book: Toshi. Brainwash ~Comeback from 12 Years of Hell~. Kodansha. 2014. 978-4-0621-8657-5.
  13. Web site: Working with X Japan.... https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/167783696609177/838619739525566 . 2022-02-26 . limited. Roger Love Official Facebook. June 24, 2018.
  14. Web site: X Japan vocalist Toshi Bankrupt?. bionicbong.com. April 20, 2011. December 1, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111201193213/http://bionicbong.com/entertainment/music/japan-vocalist-toshi-bankrupt/. dead.
  15. Web site: Interview with Toshi. iyashi-no-concert.com. May 7, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20071215071407/http://www.iyashi-no-concert.com/interview.html. December 15, 2007.
  16. Web site: Rise in defamation suits threaten media: journalists . . June 1, 2005 . March 18, 2015.
  17. Web site: X Japan Reunites for New Single, Tour. roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net. June 4, 2007. November 5, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070812021409/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=73874. August 12, 2007.
  18. Web site: "New Project" announcement. iyashi-no-concert.com. August 6, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071213095648/http://www.iyashi-no-concert.com/new_project_e.html. December 13, 2007.
  19. Web site: Official announcement of X Japan's Aqua City performance. xjapan.ne.jp. ja. October 19, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071023060918/http://www.xjapan.ne.jp/new_c/xjapan.jpg. October 23, 2007.
  20. Web site: TOSHI with T-EARTH. jame-world.com. July 18, 2011.
  21. Web site: X Japan's Toshi holds press conference in regards to his divorce and ending affiliation with Home of the Heart. j-entonline. January 19, 2010. March 18, 2015. https://archive.today/20130927125608/http://j-entonline.com/asian-entertainment/japanese-entertainment-news/x-japans-toshi-holds-press-conference-in-regards-to-his-divorce-and-separating-from-home-of-the-heart/. September 27, 2013. dead.
  22. Web site: ja:ＴＯＳＨＩ自己破産と結婚生活破たん告白. http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp0-20100118-586771.html. Nikkan Sports. ja. January 18, 2010. March 18, 2015.
  23. Web site: Toshi feat Yoshiki special dinner show. tokyohive.com. November 23, 2010.
  24. Web site: X Japan's Toshi to hold charity concert tour. bionicbong.com. April 20, 2011. September 9, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110909160052/http://bionicbong.com/entertainment/music/japans-toshi-hold-charity-concert-tour/. dead.
  25. Web site: New Music From X JAPAN Singer Available From HearJapan - June 21, 2011. roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net. June 22, 2011.
  26. Web site: More Artists Join European Label Bishi-Bishi. jame-world.com. September 7, 2011.
  27. Web site: Toshl to Release New Records Worldwide! . musicjapanplus.jp. March 16, 2013.
  28. Web site: X JAPAN's Toshl, "I don't think we've succeeded yet. Our success will start from now.". barks.jp. August 14, 2013. September 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924011917/http://www.en.barks.jp/sp/news/?id=1000002813. dead.
  29. Web site: Toshl to release book "Brainwash ~Comeback from 12 Years of Hell~". musicjapanplus.jp. July 12, 2014.
  30. Web site: ja:Toshl「洗脳～地獄の12年からの生還～」刊行. http://natalie.mu/music/news/120673. Natalie. ja. July 27, 2014. July 27, 2014.
  31. Web site: Sukekiyo's solo tour. Tokyo Hall show added! Preview of collaboration with X JAPAN's Toshi, and Hiroshi Mikami. barks.jp. February 2, 2015. February 7, 2015. February 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150208040846/http://www.en.barks.jp/news/?id=1000005259. dead.
  32. Web site: ja:X JapanのToshiがサウンドプロデューサーに就任したフジテレビの新ゲーム会社"フジゲームス"設立発表会の模様をリポート. http://www.hmv.co.jp/newsdetail/article/1603295003/. HMV Group. ja. March 25, 2016. October 29, 2017.
  33. Web site: ja:ＴＯＳＨＩ初のゲーム楽曲提供「試行錯誤はあった」. https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/1778079.html. Nikkan Sports. ja. February 12, 2017. October 29, 2017.
  34. Web site: ja:Toshl、声優デビュー. https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000151951. barks.jp. ja. February 16, 2018. May 19, 2018.
  35. Web site: ja:【対談】AK-69×Toshl（X JAPAN）、衝撃コラボの顛末. https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000154729. barks.jp. ja. May 14, 2018. May 19, 2018.
  36. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/293406 . ja:X JAPAN・Toshlのスイーツ愛が爆発「スイーツメモリー ガトーショコラ ダァ」. Natalie. ja. July 31, 2018. July 31, 2018.
  37. Web site: https://gekirock.com/news/2018/09/toshl_cover-album_release.php . ja:Toshl（X JAPAN）、11/28に初のカバー・アルバム『IM A SINGER』ユニバーサル ミュージックより全世界リリース決定！約20年ぶりのメジャー・リリース！. September 21, 2018. Gekirock. September 21, 2018 . ja.
  38. Web site: https://gekirock.com/news/2019/11/toshl_snow_trilogy_movie.php . ja:Toshl、11/22に第2弾カバー・アルバム『IM A SINGER VOL.2』先行配信が決定！「粉雪」、「雪の華」、「なごり雪」の"雪三部作"映像公開！"Mステ"出演も！. November 13, 2019. Gekirock. November 27, 2019 . ja.
  39. News: Skaters Dance Like They Want to Win in Evangelion Routine . . Kara . Dennison . . en-US . June 19, 2019 . October 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019084046/https://www.crunchyroll.com/it/anime-news/2019/06/18-1/skaters-dance-like-they-want-to-win-in-evangelion-routine . live .
  40. News: https://shinsho-plus.shueisha.co.jp/column/skate2/6524/2 . ja:『ファンタジー・オン・アイス』の羽生結弦に見た「希望」とは . "Hope" as seen in Yuzuru Hanyu at Fantasy on Ice . . Makoto . Takayama . . ja . August 16, 2019 . December 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191213213649/https://shinsho-plus.shueisha.co.jp/column/skate2/6524/2 . live.
  41. News: https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2022/02/05/kiji/20220204s00041000752000c.html . ja:Toshlが羽生結弦にエール「黙々と己の道を究め続ける。まさに茶道の境地」 . Toshl encouraging Yuzuru Hanyu: "He continues to pursue his own path silently" . . . ja . February 5, 2022 . June 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220610145130/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2022/02/05/kiji/20220204s00041000752000c.html . live .
  42. Web site: New Cover Album from ToshI . jame-world.com . July 15, 2022 . July 15, 2022.
  43. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/24420/rank/album/ . ja:Toshlのアルバム売り上げランキング. oricon.co.jp. December 6, 2018. ja.
  44. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums│Charts│Billboard JAPAN . . ja . December 12, 2018.
  45. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums│Charts│Billboard JAPAN . . ja . April 24, 2020.
  46. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums│Charts│Billboard JAPAN . . ja . October 14, 2022.
  47. Web site: http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/24420/ranking/cd_album/ . ja:Toshlのアルバム売り上げランキング. oricon.co.jp. January 1, 2011. ja. https://archive.today/20130218222114/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/24420/ranking/cd_album/. February 18, 2013. dead.
  48. Web site: http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/24420/ranking/cd_single/ . ja:Toshlのシングル売り上げランキング. Oricon. January 1, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025211300/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/24420/ranking/cd_single/. October 25, 2012.
  49. Web site: http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/25027/ranking/cd_single/ . ja:Toshiのシングル売り上げランキング. Oricon. January 1, 2011. https://archive.today/20130218143315/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/25027/ranking/cd_single/. February 18, 2013. dead.
  50. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/265019 . ja:Toshl、斎藤工の芸人挑戦を心から応援「魂を込めて歌いシャウトしました」. January 13, 2018. January 13, 2018. Natalie. ja.

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