KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons was among the many visitor audio system this previous Thursday (September 14) when the long-lasting and beloved Japanese famous person Yoshiki left his mark in a festive imprint ceremony on the TCL Chinese language Theatre Hollywood. A video report from the occasion, courtesy of ABC7 / KABC-TV, may be seen beneath.

Yoshiki is one among simply over 300 artists within the practically 100-year historical past of the long-lasting Chinese language Theatre to obtain this prestigious honor. Yoshiki made historical past by changing into the primary Japanese artist to be immortalized in cement because the theatre started this Hollywood custom in 1927.

Yoshiki joined an unique checklist of legendary celebrities, together with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Robert Downey, Jr., Hugh Jackman and Vin Diesel when he positioned his hand and footprints in cement on Hollywood Boulevard.

In his speech, Simmons mentioned about Yoshiki (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I am right here to honor a one-of-a-kind, not solely persona, however a multi-instrumentalist, an actual tour de drive. So, Individuals are so stuffed with themselves, don’t know what is going on on in the remainder of the world, however I do know the person himself. It is a expertise, an enormous within the trade, multi-instrumentalist, drummer, pianist, inventive drive that you have to discover out extra about.”

He continued: “This honor right now is, that is — it is about time. And you have to do your self a favor. Music has no boundaries. Music is the common language. And you have to discover out about Yoshiki and his inventive kids X, in any other case generally known as X JAPAN, and his latest band, THE LAST ROCKSTARS. Your life shall be higher for it. I’ve seen him in motion. Only a few individuals examine to the person. The person, the legend, Yoshiki.”

Yoshiki has bought over 30 million albums and singles and has bought out the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a record-breaking 18 instances along with his band X JAPAN.

“Yoshiki: Below The Sky”, a documentary directed by and starring the acclaimed musician (that includes THE CHAINSMOKERS, St. Vincent, Sarah Brightman, SCORPIONS, Lindsey Stirling, Nicole Scherzinger, and extra) additionally made its Hollywood premiere on the TCL Chinese language Theatre on Thursday, September 14. Yoshiki returns to Los Angeles on October 20 for a classical live performance at The Dolby Theatre.

Yoshiki is a composer, classically educated pianist, rock drummer, and chief of the rock group X JAPAN. Yoshiki was named “some of the influential musicians and composers in Japanese historical past” by Consequence and is described by Billboard journal as “a musical innovator”.

Yoshiki has bought over 30 million albums and singles and has bought out the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a record-breaking 18 instances along with his band X JAPAN. He has carried out on the world’s best phases, together with Madison Sq. Backyard, Wembley Area, Coachella music pageant and Carnegie Corridor. He has additionally composed Hollywood movie soundtracks, a concerto for the Emperor of Japan, and the official theme music for the Golden Globe Awards. Not too long ago, Yoshiki assembled the brand new supergroup THE LAST ROCKSTARS.

His first characteristic documentary movie as director, “Yoshiki: Below The Sky”, will premiere within the U.S., U.Okay., and Japan in September. Yoshiki will carry out his Yoshiki Classical tenth Anniversary World Tour With Orchestra 2023 “Requiem” in October, headlining reveals at Tokyo Backyard Theater (Tokyo – Oct. 7-9),Royal Albert Corridor (London – Oct. 13),Dolby Theater (L.A. – Oct. 20),and Carnegie Corridor (New York – Oct. 28). This tour would be the first time a Japanese artist has headlined all these historic venues.

Yoshiki is internationally acknowledged for his long-term philanthropic actions and has donated over two million {dollars} to charity by way of his 501(c)(3) nonprofit group Yoshiki Basis America. For his prolific philanthropic endeavors, he was chosen by Forbes as one among “Asia’s High 30 Heroes of Philanthropy” in 2019 and acquired a Medal of Honor from the Japanese Authorities in 2021 for his help of the Nationwide Middle for International Well being and Drugs and ongoing charitable works.

In 2021, Yoshiki established an annual grant of $100,000 for MusiCares, a associate of the Recording Academy, to assist music creators and trade professionals affected by psychological well being considerations. Beforehand, Yoshiki donated $100,000 to MusiCares to assist music professionals affected by the coronavirus pandemic and labored with MusiCares to ship $100,000 in catastrophe help to Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas in 2017.