Gackt

Gackt Camui (神威 楽斗 Kamui Gakuto, born July 4, 1973) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, voice actor and author. Usually referred to by his mononymous stage name, he is known for his career as a solo artist and as the former vocalist for the defunct visual kei rock band Malice Mizer.

He has released fourteen albums and thirty-nine singles as a solo musician, and as of July 18, 2011 holds the male soloist record of most top 10 singles in Japan music history. His single “Returner ~Yami no Shūen~”, released on June 20, 2007, was his first and only single to reach the number one spot on the Oricon charts.He became the first Japanese artist to release his music catalog on iTunes in October 2007. His music has been used as theme songs for anime films, video games, and television series such as New Fist of the North Star and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII and Samurai Warriors 3, The Sarah Connor Chronicles amongst others.

As an actor and writer, he co-starred and co-wrote the 2003 film Moon Child and acted in the NHK drama Fūrin Kazan as Uesugi Kenshin. He made his international film debut in the film Bunraku in 2010 at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Early life

Gackt was born in Okinawa, Japan, on July 4. His father was a music teacher primarily playing the trumpet and his mother was also a teacher. According to Gackt’s autobiography, he was a mischievous child and enjoyed taking risks; at age seven he nearly drowned while swimming off the coast of Okinawa. After this near-death experience, he claims to have the ability to see and speak with deceased family members, and people. At the age of ten, he was hospitalized with a gastrointestinal condition and had to remain at the hospital for a prolonged time. He made the acquaintance of several terminally ill children, some of whom died during his stay.Gackt’s musical education began at age three, when his parents initiated his classical piano education. He has credited the classical pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin with being “the one who taught me the beauty, depth, fun, sadness, kindness of music; that music could grant people courage, and the meaning of the layers of sound. It isn’t an exaggeration to say Chopin is the foundation of my music.”Having only listened to classical music and enka while growing up, he did not become interested in rock music until he was a young adult. He cites Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” as being particularly inspiring.

Career

Malice Mizer

In 1995, Gackt joined Malice Mizer as the group’s vocalist, lyricist and pianist. The band released several singles along with two albums with him as the vocalist, entitled Voyage ~Sans Retour~ andMerveilles. At the immediate start of 1999, he left Malice Mizer. Five months after his departure, Kami (then drummer of Malice Mizer and close friend of Gackt’s) died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

1999-2001: Beginning of solo career, Requiem et Reminiscence tour

Gackt launched his solo career on January 1, 1999.After having completed his recordings, his first gig as a solo artist was the 99 Gackt Resurrection tour held in 12 locations across Japan, followed on May 12 with the release of the mini album Mizerable. Five months after Gackt’s departure, Kami died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Gackt was on the tour at the time, and it was in the middle of recording he heard about the death of his friend.The funeral was already over. Until the end of the year appeared at Shock Wave Illusion, in Osaka and Tokyo on July 11 and July 25.

Since then several singles have followed, and on April 2000, he released his first studio album Mars, to subsequently embarked on a nationwide tour titled Mars Sora Kara no Homonsha -Kaisō- (Mars Visitor From the Sky -Flashbacks-).For Caparison Guitars, has designed two guitars named “Marcury” and “Venus”, what occasionally use on his live performances.On December 16 was released his first “Platinum Box”.

In 2001 he released his second studio album Rebirth on April 25. It was followed by Requiem et Reminiscence concept tour. After discovering the events of September 11th, 2001 in New York, Gackt wrote a song for a world peace. It was released that December as a single “12gatsu no Love Song”. From 2001 to 2004, the single was recorded in four different languages: Japanese, English,Korean and Chinese, released before Christmas.

2002-03: Moon, Moon Child, Crescent

Between 2001 and 2002, with the releasing of the single “Another World”, Gackt began another concept, Moon. There were two nationwide tours represeting his new concept, a live house tour, prior the releasing of his third album Moon on June 16, and second started on October 14, known as Kagen no Tsuki (The Waning Moon)On September 22, appeared in a large musical event “China-Japan: Holding Hands, Moving Together” at the Beijing Worker’s Gymnasium, in China. The event was part of a “Japan-China Diplomatic Relations Normalization 30th Anniversary Commemoration”.

In 2003 Gackt announced his film Moon Child. He worked on the script, and did own action scences on location in Taiwan. In collaboration with co-star Hyde, he also sang the theme song “Orenji no Taiyou (The Orange Sun)”. Film was released on April 19 in Japan, and screened on May 13 at Cannes Film Festival and on April 12, 2004 at Philadelphia Film Festival. On May 5 launched his nationwide tour Jogen no Tsuki (The Waxing Moon), continuing the concept of the previous one.On August 6, Gackt released “Gekkou (Moonlight)” featuring video clips from previous singles “Kimi ga Oikaketa Yume (A Dream You Chased)” and “Tsuki no Uta (Moonsong)”.

On September 27, Gackt performed as a special guest at the TV Asahi 45 anniversary commemorative “Kingdom Rock Show”.On October 2, performed the John Lennon’s song “Love” acoustical and cover rock version, at the “Dream Power: John Lennon Super Live” concert held in Saitama Super Arena. The “Dream Power” concerts were initiated by Yoko Ono in 2001 as a benefit concerts for deprived children, and Japan’s top musical acts gather each year to perform along with Yoko Ono herself, tribute to the music and spirit of John Lennon. Through November and December 12, was released his sixteenth single “Last Song”, and his fourth concept album Crescent. Also in 2003, Gackt published a novel Moon Child Requiem,and his autobiography, Jihaku, and performed on the 55th Kōhaku Uta Gassen, the 2004 annual New Year’s Eve special by NHK.

2004-05: Sixth Day & Seventh Night, Love Letter, Diabolos

In February 2004, Gackt has his released first compilation album, The Sixth Day: Single Collection, which was a collection of the singer’s previous A-sides, and some being re-recorded. The album was followed three months later by the release of The Seventh Night: Unplugged, another compilation album, containing the acoustic arrangements of previously released songs. He held The Sixth Day & Seventh Night nationwide tour between the releases of the albums. On October 27, has released his eighteenth single “Kimi ni Aitakute” (Needing You),so the unplugged theme would be continued in the release of his fifth studio album, Love Letter on next years Valentine’s Day. Album was re-recorded in Korean and released on June 16, 2005 for the Korean market. On December 4, was invited and awarded the “Best Asian Rock Artist” at the musical event in Korea, the M.net/Km Music Video Festival.

In 2005, with the releasing of his twenty-first single “Black Stone” on April 27, Gackt switched to a more alternative rock style,and on September 21 released his sixth studio album Diabolos and had a nationwide tour called Diabolos ~Aien no Shi~ (A Sorrowful Poem) with 36 performances across Japan, which ended with a final performance on December 24, 2005 at the Tokyo Dome.

2006-07: Asian concerts, Fūrin Kazan, S.K.I.N.

On January 14, 2006, Gackt held his first Asian concert at Fencing Stadium in Korean Olympic Park. On February 28, appeared on the graduation of the Maiko High School in Hyōgo Prefecture, maintaining his promise. Besides he spoke to them with words of encouragement, and performed his own songs live, among them unreleased song especially written for the graduation. It was released next year on February 7, as “No ni Saku Hana no Yō ni ” (Like a Wild Flower).On August 23, were simultaneously released two video compilations, The Greatest Filmography 1999-2006 Bluecontaining video clips of ballads singles, and The Greatest Filmography 1999-2006 Red of rock songs.

Also in 2006, Gackt was one of last few artist to take part in last exhibition of “Super Stars” project by photographer Leslie Kee, which is dedicated to the victims of the 2004 tsunami disaster. Although at the beginning, due to lack of information rejected the offer, in the end decided to participate in the project, and after talking with Leslie, saw that have the same idea of uniting Asia. For the shooting, to show his admiration for the artists who took part in the concept, decided to have all their names printed onto his face and shoulder, among the names were the words “We are all Asian.”. On December 24, Gackt went on nationwide fanclub only, “Training Days 2006 D.r.u.g. Party” tour, started with Zepp Osaka.

Beginning January 7, 2007, Gackt played the warlord Uesugi Kenshin in the NHK Taiga drama Fūrin Kazan. Gackt’s single “Returner ~Yami no Shūen~”, was released on June 20, and was the first in his career (both solo and in a band) to reach the number one spot on the Japanese Oricon charts. On June 29, performed on S.K.I.N debut and only concert at the 2007 Anime Expo convention inLong Beach, California. In October was held press conference at Apple Store in Ginza, Tokyo where besides he advertised the first iPhone, announced to have a back catalog in the iTunes Store, as well that his “The Greatest Filmography” will be released on October 9, in the U.S.A. and Canada, while his album Diabolos on October 26 in eighteen European countries.On November 17 performed at M.net/Km Music Video Festival in Korea as the special guest star. While on November 27 appeared and performed at the “2007 Japan-China Cultural Exchange Grand Concert Final” in Beijing. He sang the “December Love Song” in Japanese, Korean and Mandarin. Then on December 10, appeared at the China Fashion Awards in Beijing, where was awarded for the “Japanese Artist of the Year”. Gackt performed on the 58th Kōhaku Uta Gassen, the 2008 annual New Year’s Eve special by NHK.

Either, that year Gackt created the “Save our Dears” charity to help the victims of the powerful earthquake that struck the Niigata Prefecture in Japan that year. To raise funds for this charity, Gackt designed a pink crystal keychain as well as bracelets similar to ones his character wore in his role on “Furinkazan”. In addition, the charity also features two Orico UPty MasterCard credit cards with a photo of Gackt. Together Gackt’s fanclub Dears raised 2,000,000 Yen (or US$26,041) which Gackt donated to the City of Joetsu at the Great Kenshin Festival in 2008.

2008-09: Bunraku, Requiem et Reminiscence II tour and Re:Born

On August 23, 2008 Gackt reprised his Fūrin Kazan television role of Japanese warlord Uesugi Kenshin at Joetsu city’s Great Kenshin Festival for the second year in a row, enchanching the atmosphere of the festival with almost 210,000 visitors. On December 3, was released Gackt’s twenty-eighth single “Jesus”, his first single release in over a year. It was followed by nationwide tour Requiem et Reminiscence ~Saisei to Kaikou~ (Rebirth and Reunion) tour after three year interval, held in a record number of 60 performances in more than 45 cities, started on December 14 from Misato Cultural Center.

On January 28, 2009, was released his twenty-ninth single, “Ghost”, which was used as the opening song for the Japanese version of The Sarah Connor Chronicles. On May 18, Gackt was scheduled to perform a concert in Korea at Seoul’s Olympic Hall, but due to the effects of the global recession the sponsors of the concert withdrawn their support.To celebrate his 10 Year Anniversary Countdown, a countdown to his 10th anniversary as solo artist, Gackt released four singles, “Koakuma Heaven”, “Faraway”, “Lost Angels”, and “Flower”, a week after one another starting from June 17, and ending on July 1, 2009. On June 13, began the arena part of the tour, and on July 11 and 12 were held final performances in Saitama Super Arena. In September, performed as a representative of Japan at the Asia Song Festival in Korea,and in the biggest annual anime concert Animelo Summer Live 2009.In October performed as the main artist at the “Wow Live! Thanks For Music” show held in Yoyogi National Gymnasium, in Japan.

On December 2, released his seventh studio album Re:Born which continued the story he had originally created in Rebirth. By the end of the year, held a fanclub concert on December 12 in Saitama Super Arena, titled Camui Gakuen School concepted on a fictional school in which the director is Gackt, and on December 24, and 25 celebrated Christmas with fans in Zepp Osaka.

2010: Transfer to Avex, first European appearances with YFC

On February 14, 2010, Gackt participated and performed as a representative of Japan, at the Asia Pops Festival held in Niigata City, in homage for the victims of 2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake.On March 6, and 7, Gackt performed the theme songs, on the festival organized by Koei to promote their new Nintendo Wii game, in Saitama Super Arena.

On March 31 was finally released his DVD with filmed final tour concert, although was initially planned to be released in November, because of the sound, and special effects, was postponed couple of times. It is dedicated to the all fans around the globe and Michael Jackson. It was screened in cinemas across Japan as well.

On April 17, was officially announced of transferring from his private record label Dears to Avex Group “in pursuit of creating one-of-a-kind entertainment”, also the date of his first “single” with new label.Prior the announcement Gackt held a male-only concert, which consisted mostly of rock oriented songs, at Club Citta in Kawasaki, under the band name Yellow Fried Chickenz, which refers to human cowardice. The tour was continued with a total of 30-shows from June, and ending in August.On June 23, was released a compilation album Are You “Fried Chickenz”?? from his former record label Nippon Crown. On July 16, Gackt as Yellow Fried Chickenz went touring Europe for the first time at a very selective choice of clubs in London, Paris, Barcelona, München and ending in Bochum on July 24. On July 21, from Nippon Crown was released a compilation album The Eleventh Day: Single Collection, which was a collection of the singer’s singles from the second half, and reissued The Sixth Day: Single Collection.

On August 23, has participated on the 85th Great Kenshin Festival, his third time, with record attendance of more than 240,000 visitors. On December 14, Gackt alongside other Asian celebrities, participated and performed in a Hohoemi (smile) project charity event called “Message! to Asia”, by DATV at Tokyo Dome, whose profit is planned to help street children in Cambodia and thePhilippines. For the auction he auctioned his custom Pontiac Firebird Trans Am MS6 from 1999, which got sold for ¥6,015,000 (or $72,033).

2011-present: Show Your Heart, world tour *Show Your Soul.I* with YFC

Because of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Gackt founded “Show Your Heart” charity for collecting money to buy supplies for the victims. Many Japanese and Asian musicians and singers, actors, designers, sportspeople etc. joined Gackt’s initiative.^[64] In March 2011, Gackt sent a track convoy with 72,000 lb (33,000 kg) of food and clothes. As well in March 31 was held a street corner fund-raising in over 130 locations all across Japan at the same time, collecting 25,234,490 Yen (or US$320,193). All money collected through bank transfers and street fundraising activities was on April 6 transferred to the Japanese Red Cross, sum of 208,181,735 Yen (or US$2,641,564).

In May 2011, was announced that Gackt will start a new tour called “World Tour *Show Your Soul.I*” as Yellow Fried Chickenz, with new band members and songs, on July 20 in Paris, France. He also visited Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Sweden and Russia.In September 14 will start a Japan nationwide tour. Part of the world tour revenue will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.

On August 22 participated on 86th “Great Kenshin Festival”, playing the role of Uesugi Kenshin for the fourth time.

On November 30, 2011 Gackt will release his 40th single titled “GRAFFITI”. It is used as the current opening for the anime SKET DANCE.

Current projects

Nemuri X Gackt Project

Chosen personally by the family of former actor, at a press conferences on November 5, 2009 and on February 2, 2010 it was announced Gackt would lend his image to a new Nemuri Kyoshiro project, beginning with a live stage production in Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae on May 14, 2010 at Nissei Theatre, penned by Koyama Kundo.The stage run until the final 120 performance on February 27, 2011, held in seven cities nationwide with estimated 150,000 spectators. The project is planned to span a variety of media, including film, television, anime, manga, and video games.

Other collaborations

Kamen Rider Decade

As part of both the Kamen Rider Series’ Heisei period run and Gackt’s solo career having their 10th anniversaries, Gackt was brought onto the 2009 edition of the Kamen Rider Series Kamen Rider Decade to perform many of its theme songs, released via Avex Trax and Avex Entertainment. This began with the series’ opening theme “Journey Through the Decade”, and also included the series’ two films’ theme songs: “The Next Decade” and “Stay the Ride Alive”. While recording the third song, Gackt stated that each song had a theme: “Journey” (旅 Tabi), “War” (戦 Ikusa), “Eternity” (永遠Eien).

In addition to performing on the series’ soundtrack, Gackt also appeared in the film Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker as Decade‘s iteration of Jōji Yūki; he also portrays this character in his music video for “The Next Decade”.

Gackpoid

Gackt lent his voice and stage name for the creation of the Vocaloid Kamui Gakupo (神威がくぽ). Yamaha wanted to utilize the voice of a musician but felt it would be difficult to acquire cooperation. They consulted Dwango (new owner of Vocaloid publisher Internet Co., Ltd.), who suggested Gackt, as Gackt had previously provided his voice for Dwango’s cell phone services. Referred to alternately as Gakupoid or Gackupo, the most recent release includes a new program, OPUS Express, for mixing vocal parts with accompaniment and phoneme data. The new software will be available for download for users with registered copies of previous Vocaloids. Besides the new program, Gackpoid will include two of Gackt’s songs and three example songs.

The product was originally intended to be released in June 2008, but although Gackt existed as a model for the Vocaloid, it lacked an illustrated avatar to match the previous Vocaloids. Popular manga author Kentarō Miura, famous for his dark fantasy epic Berserk, was approached. Due to Miura’s affection for Nico Nico Douga, he agreed to offer his services as character designer for free. As a fan of Berserk, Gackt was more than satisfied with this arrangement, and requested Miura’s sketches be faxed to him as well as the developers, even though he was on location for the filming of Guy Moshe’s Bunraku. Gackpoid was released on July 31, 2008.Miura’s design for Gakupo has a samurai aesthetic—the Vocaloid is clad in a hakama and haori, and carries a katana that somehow acts as a musical instrument.

In 2009, Gackt challenged Gackpoid users to create a song, with the prize being 10 million yen, stating if the song was to his liking he would sing and include it in his next album. The winning song “Episode 0” and runner up song “Paranoid Doll” are set to be released as a single by Gackt on July 13, 2011.