BUCK-TICK's Atsushi Sakurai Passes Away

Visual rock band BUCK-TICK announced today the passing of their vocalist of 35 years, Atsushi Sakurai, at the age of 57.

According to the band, Sakurai passed on October 19th at 11:09 pm, as a result of a brain stem hemorrhage.

BUCK-TICK had performed live that same evening at KT Zepp Yokohama as a part of their TOUR 2023 -IZORA- ALTERNATIVE SUN. The concert was stopped after a few songs when Sakurai became unwell on stage and was taken to hospital.

Sakurai’s funeral was held privately in the presence of close friends and relatives. BUCK-TICK have requested fans refrain from sending condolence messages, flower arrangements or other tributes for the time being.

Born in 1966 in the Gunma prefecture, Sakurai became interested in music in his later teenage years, and met his future bandmates while still in high school. He started out as a drummer before switching to vocals, inspired by English rockstars such as Robert Smith, Siouxsie Sioux, Peter Murphy and David Bowie. He was known for his recurring use of gothic rock themes and imagery.

With BUCK-TICK, Sakurai released 23 studio albums. He released his only solo album under his own name in 2004, for which he collaborated with The Sisters of Mercy's Wayne Hussey, PIG's Raymond Watts, and Masami Tsuchiya. He started another solo project called THE MORTAL in 2015. Elsewhere, he published two books of poetry and sang duets with DER ZIBET's ISSAY and Sheena Ringo.

He is survived by his son Haruka Tono, an Akutagawa Prize-winning author.

BUCK-TICK guitarist Hisashi Imai reacted to his bandmate’s passing on Instagram with the following message: “We thought we would be a five-man band forever, but we knew from the start that was impossible. I knew this day would come, but I still wanted to always play guitar next to Atsushi.”

BUCK-TICK’s future as a band remains unclear.

MVs for BUCK-TICK’s 1988 single JUST ONE MORE KISS and their most recent singles Taiyo to Icarus and Mugen LOOP, can be viewed below.




JaME would like to extend our condolences to Sakurai's family. friends and colleagues.