Ryuichi Sakamoto was a multi-talented Japanese artist known for his work as a composer, pianist, record producer, and actor. He was widely recognized for his diverse musical styles, both as a solo artist and as a member of the influential electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). Along with his bandmates Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, Sakamoto played a crucial role in shaping and popularizing various electronic music genres.
January 17, 1952: Birth of Ryuichi Sakamoto
On January 17, 1952, Ryuichi Sakamoto, a highly influential figure in electronic and film music, was born.
1972: First Marriage
Ryuichi Sakamoto married Natsuko Sakamoto in 1972.
1975: Collaboration with Tsuchitori Toshiyuki
Sakamoto's collaborative spirit was evident in 1975 when he teamed up with percussionist Tsuchitori Toshiyuki to release "Disappointment-Hateruma."
1977: Early Collaboration with Hosono and Takahashi
Laying the groundwork for a groundbreaking partnership, Sakamoto began working with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi as a session musician in 1977. This collaboration would soon blossom into the iconic Yellow Magic Orchestra.
July 1978: Release of "Thousand Knives of Ryūichi Sakamoto"
July 1978 witnessed the release of Sakamoto's debut solo album, "Thousand Knives of Ryūichi Sakamoto," showcasing his exploration of various musical styles and his innovative use of electronic instruments.
1978: Sakamoto's Early Career and Formation of YMO
1978 marked a pivotal year for Sakamoto, witnessing his success as a co-founder of the influential electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) and the release of his debut solo album, "Thousand Knives."
1978: Formation of Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO)
The year 1978 marked the birth of Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), a pioneering electronic music group formed by Sakamoto, Hosono, and Takahashi.
1979: Release of "Technopolis"
In 1979, YMO released "Technopolis," a track that would go on to influence the development of techno music and solidify the band's position as electronic music pioneers.
1980: Collaboration with David Sylvian and Chart-topping Single
In 1980, Sakamoto embarked on a long-lasting collaboration with David Sylvian, contributing to Japan's track "Taking Islands in Africa." This year also marked his success with Kiyoshiro Imawano on the chart-topping single "Ikenai Rouge Magic."
1980: Release of "B-2 Unit" and "Riot in Lagos"
In 1980, Sakamoto released "B-2 Unit," an album recognized for its avant-garde sound, particularly the track "Riot in Lagos," which went on to shape the landscape of electro and hip-hop music.
1980: Release of "Nice Age"
YMO continued to captivate audiences with their innovative sound in 1980, releasing the track "Nice Age."
1980: Live Performance of "1000 Knives"
YMO's live performance of "1000 Knives" in 1980 captivated audiences and further solidified their status as electronic music pioneers.
1981: YMO's "BGM" and Early Use of the Roland TR-808
In 1981, YMO released their album "BGM," which featured a version of "Thousand Knives" that notably incorporated the Roland TR-808 drum machine, marking one of the earliest instances of its use.
1982: Collaboration with Adrian Belew, Robin Scott, and Continued Work with David Sylvian
Sakamoto's collaborative projects continued in 1982, teaming up with Adrian Belew and Robin Scott for the album "Left-Handed Dream" and further collaborating with David Sylvian on the single "Bamboo Houses/Bamboo Music."
1982: Marriage to Akiko Yano
Following his divorce, Ryuichi Sakamoto married pianist and singer Akiko Yano in 1982, after collaborating musically, including touring with the Yellow Magic Orchestra.
1982: Melle Mel and Duke Bootee release "Message II (Survival)"
In 1982, Melle Mel and Duke Bootee released "Message II (Survival)", a track that incorporated elements of Sakamoto's innovative sound.
1983: Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
In 1983, Ryuichi Sakamoto starred in "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" alongside David Bowie, directed by Nagisa Oshima. He composed the film's score, collaborating with David Sylvian on the theme song, "Forbidden Colours", which became a hit.
1983: Film Scoring Debut with "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence"
Ryuichi Sakamoto began his film composing career in 1983 with "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence," in which he also acted. He composed the score, title theme, and the duet "Forbidden Colours" with David Sylvian.
1983: Production of Mari Iijima's Debut Album
Ryuichi Sakamoto produced Mari Iijima's debut album, "Rosé," in 1983, the same year Yellow Magic Orchestra disbanded.
1983: Debut as Film Composer and Actor
Sakamoto's creative journey took a new turn in 1983 with his debut as both a film score composer and an actor in "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence." The film's main theme, later adapted into the single "Forbidden Colours," garnered international acclaim.
1983: Hashim's "Al-Naafyish" Released
The year 1983 saw the release of Hashim's influential electro track "Al-Naafyish," further shaping the genre's trajectory.
1983: Release of "Ongaku" and "You've Got to Help Yourself"
YMO maintained its creative momentum in 1983, releasing notable tracks like "Ongaku" and "You've Got to Help Yourself."
1984: Release of "Ongaku Zukan"
Ryuichi Sakamoto released his solo album "Ongaku Zukan" in 1984.
1985: Subject of Documentary "Tokyo Melody"
Elizabeth Lennard's documentary "Tokyo Melody," focusing on Ryuichi Sakamoto's musical philosophy and creative process, was released in 1985.
1985: Kurt Mantronik Releases "The Album"
Kurt Mantronik's "The Album," released in 1985, drew inspiration from Sakamoto's sonic explorations, further demonstrating his impact on emerging genres.
1987: Academy Award for "The Last Emperor" Score
Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, and Cong Su won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor" in 1987.
1987: Sakamoto Achieves Recognition for "The Last Emperor" Score
Ryuichi Sakamoto received critical acclaim and numerous awards for his score for the film "The Last Emperor" in 1987, including an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Grammy Award.
1987: Release of "Neo Geo"
In 1987, Sakamoto released another solo album titled "Neo Geo".
1987: Oscar Win for "The Last Emperor"
In 1987, Sakamoto achieved a historic milestone by winning the Academy Award for Best Original Score for "The Last Emperor," making him the first Japanese composer to receive this honor.
1989: Sakamoto Receives BAFTA Nomination for "The Last Emperor" Score
Ryuichi Sakamoto received a BAFTA nomination for his work on "The Last Emperor" in 1989.
1989: Release of "Beauty"
Sakamoto's solo album "Beauty" was released in 1989.
1990: Move to New York City
Ryuichi Sakamoto moved to New York City in 1990, where he primarily resided until 2020.
1990: Sakamoto Wins Second Golden Globe for "The Sheltering Sky"
Ryuichi Sakamoto received his second Golden Globe Award for his score for the film "The Sheltering Sky" in 1990.
1990: Composing for "The Sheltering Sky"
Sakamoto's reputation as a film composer continued to grow in 1990 with his work on "The Sheltering Sky," further solidifying his ability to evoke emotions and enhance narratives through music.
1991: Scoring of Pedro Almodóvar's "High Heels"
Ryuichi Sakamoto composed the score for Pedro Almodóvar's film "High Heels" in 1991.
1991: Release of "Heartbeat"
Sakamoto released "Heartbeat" in 1991, featuring collaborations with various artists.
1992: Composing for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
Sakamoto's talent reached a global stage in 1992 when he was commissioned to compose music for the opening ceremony of the Barcelona Olympics, showcasing his versatility and international appeal.
1993: Collaboration with Aztec Camera
Ryuichi Sakamoto collaborated with Aztec Camera on their album "Dreamland" in 1993.
1993: Sakamoto Receives Grammy Nomination for "Little Buddha" Score
Ryuichi Sakamoto's score for the film "Little Buddha" earned him a Grammy Award nomination in 1993.
1993: Roddy Frame Discusses Collaboration with Sakamoto
In a 1993 interview, Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera discussed his experience working with Ryuichi Sakamoto on the "Dreamland" album. Frame highlighted Sakamoto's impressive body of work and their collaborative process in a New York studio.
1993: Contributing to "Little Buddha"
In 1993, Sakamoto lent his musical talent to "Little Buddha," adding his unique sound to the film's atmosphere.
1993: Scoring of "The Little Buddha" and "Wild Palms"
In 1993, Ryuichi Sakamoto composed music for two films: Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Little Buddha" and Oliver Stone's "Wild Palms."
1994: Co-production of Imai Miki's Album
In 1994, Ryuichi Sakamoto co-produced Imai Miki's album "A Place In The Sun."
1994: Release of "Sweet Revenge"
In 1994, Sakamoto released "Sweet Revenge", marking another collaborative album with international artists.
1995: Release of "Smoochy"
Sakamoto explored easy-listening and Latin influences in his 1995 album, "Smoochy".
December 1996: Composition of "Untitled 01"
Sakamoto composed an hour-long orchestral piece titled "Untitled 01" in December 1996.
1996: Production of Miki Nakatani's Music
Ryuichi Sakamoto began producing music for actress Miki Nakatani in 1996, starting with her debut single "Mind Circus." This collaboration continued through 2001.
1996: Release of Album Featuring "Bibo No Aozora"
Ryuichi Sakamoto released the album containing the track "Bibo No Aozora" in 1996. This track was later featured in the film "Babel."
1996: Release of Solo Piano Album
In 1996, Sakamoto released an album featuring rearranged versions of his previous works for solo piano, violin, and cello.
1997: Sakamoto and Toshio Iwai Win Golden Nica for "Music Plays Images X Images Play Music"
In 1997, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Toshio Iwai's collaborative project "Music Plays Images X Images Play Music" won the prestigious Golden Nica award at the Prix Ars Electronica competition.
1997: Start of Mitsui ReHouse Commercial Series
The Mitsui ReHouse commercial series, directed by Jun Ichikawa (who would later direct Sakamoto's score for "Tony Takitani"), began airing in 1997 and featured actresses Chizuru Ikewaki and Mao Inoue.
1998: Release of "Discord" and "Prayer/Salvation Remixes"
"Untitled 01" was released as the album "Discord" in 1998. The same year saw the release of "Prayer/Salvation Remixes", featuring remixes of tracks from "Discord" by electronic music artists.
1998: Publication of "Ryuichi Sakamoto. Conversazioni"
Massimo Milano, an Italian ethnomusicologist, published a book about Sakamoto titled "Ryuichi Sakamoto. Conversazioni" in 1998.
1998: Scoring of "Love Is the Devil" and "Snake Eyes"
Ryuichi Sakamoto composed the scores for two films released in 1998: John Maybury's "Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon" and Brian De Palma's "Snake Eyes."
1999: Premiere of "LIFE" Opera
Sakamoto's opera, "LIFE", premiered in 1999. The multi-genre, multimedia project involved collaborations with notable figures in various fields.
1999: Release of "BTTB"
Sakamoto released the album "BTTB" ("Back to the Basics") in 1999, showcasing original solo piano compositions influenced by Debussy and Satie.
1999: Scoring of Nagisa Oshima's "Gohatto"
In 1999, Ryuichi Sakamoto composed the score for Nagisa Oshima's film "Gohatto."
1999: "Energy Flow" Tops the Charts
Breaking new ground in 1999, Sakamoto's composition "Energy Flow" secured the top spot on Japan's Oricon charts, a historic achievement as the first instrumental track to do so.
2001: Conclusion of Collaboration with Miki Nakatani
Ryuichi Sakamoto's collaborative production work with Miki Nakatani concluded in 2001 after a successful run of singles and albums.
2001: Release of "Casa"
Sakamoto, along with Jaques and Paula Morelenbaum, released "Casa", an album celebrating Antonio Carlos Jobim's work, in 2001.
2002: "Casa" Featured in The New York Times's Top Albums
"Casa" was included in The New York Times's list of top albums of 2002.
2002: Scoring of Brian De Palma's "Femme Fatale"
Ryuichi Sakamoto composed the score for Brian De Palma's film "Femme Fatale," released in 2002.
2003: "Chinsagu No Hana" Featured in "Japanese Story"
Ryuichi Sakamoto's composition "Chinsagu No Hana" from his album "Beauty" was featured in Sue Brooks's film "Japanese Story" in 2003.
2004: Release of "Undercooled"
Ryuichi Sakamoto released his single "Undercooled" in 2004.
2004: Release of "Vrioon"
Sakamoto and Alva Noto (Carsten Nicolai) released their debut collaborative album, "Vrioon", in 2004.
2005: Scoring of "Tony Takitani"
Ryuichi Sakamoto composed the score for Jun Ichikawa's film "Tony Takitani" in 2005.
2005: Composition of Ringtones for Nokia 8800
Sakamoto was commissioned by Nokia to compose ringtones for their Nokia 8800 phone in 2005.
2005: Release of "Insen"
The duo released their second album, "Insen", in 2005.
August 2006: End of Second Marriage
Ryuichi Sakamoto's second marriage to Akiko Yano ended in August 2006, although they had lived separately for 14 years prior.
2006: "Bibo No Aozora" Featured in "Babel"
Ryuichi Sakamoto's composition "Bibo No Aozora" was featured in Alejandro González Iñárritu's film "Babel" in 2006.
2006: Sakamoto Contributes to Academy Award-Winning Soundtrack for "Babel"
Ryuichi Sakamoto contributed several pieces of music, including the closing theme "Bibo no Aozora," to the soundtrack of the film "Babel," which won an Academy Award in 2006.
2006: Nokia Offers Ringtones for Free
Nokia made the ringtones composed by Sakamoto available for free on their website in 2006.
2006: Sakamoto Founds Commmons Record Label
In 2006, Ryuichi Sakamoto partnered with Avex Group to establish Commmons, a record label intended to challenge conventional music production practices. Commmons aimed to empower artists and create a more equitable and collaborative industry.
2007: "Riot in Lagos" Featured on "Kings of Electro"
In 2007, the enduring influence of "Riot in Lagos" was highlighted by its inclusion on Playgroup's compilation album "Kings of Electro," cementing its place among pivotal electro compositions.
2007: YMO Reunion and Release of "Rescue"
Sakamoto, Hosono, and Takahashi, the members of Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), reunited and released the single "Rescue" in 2007.
2007: Launch of "LIFE - fluid, invisible, inaudible..." Installation
The art installation "LIFE - fluid, invisible, inaudible...", a collaboration between Sakamoto and Shiro Takatani, was launched in 2007.
2007: Deconstruction of "LIFE" into Art Installation
The visual and sound elements of "LIFE" were deconstructed in 2007 to create an art installation.
2008: Release of "utp_"
Sakamoto and Nicolai continued their collaboration, releasing "utp_" in 2008.
2008: Release of "HAS/YMO" DVD
YMO released the DVD "HAS/YMO" in 2008.
July 2009: Awarded Officier of Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Sakamoto was honored as an Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres at the French embassy in Tokyo in July 2009.
2009: Sakamoto Criticizes Copyright Law
In 2009, Ryuichi Sakamoto publicly criticized copyright law, arguing that it was outdated in the information age and that it primarily benefited large corporations at the expense of artists and fans.
2009: Awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
In recognition of his significant contributions to the world of music, Sakamoto was honored with the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture in 2009.
2009: Sakamoto Receives Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
In recognition of his significant musical contributions, Ryuichi Sakamoto was honored with the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France's Ministry of Culture in 2009.
2011: Release of "Summvs"
"Summvs", another collaborative album by Sakamoto and Nicolai, was released in 2011.
2011: "Riot in Lagos" Recognized as a Key Event in Dance Music History
Underscoring the lasting impact of "Riot in Lagos," The Guardian recognized the track in 2011 as one of the 50 key events in the history of dance music.
2012: "collapsed and silence spins" at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
In 2012, Sakamoto and Takatani presented their work "collapsed and silence spins" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo.
2012: Sakamoto Organizes "No Nukes 2012" Concert
In 2012, Ryuichi Sakamoto organized the "No Nukes 2012" concert, featuring 18 groups, including Yellow Magic Orchestra and Kraftwerk, as part of his anti-nuclear activism.
April 14, 2013: Performance in Honor of Nam June Paik
On April 14, 2013, Sakamoto participated in a performance paying tribute to Nam June Paik.
2013: Sakamoto Awarded Golden Pine Award at International Samobor Film Music Festival
Ryuichi Sakamoto was honored with the Golden Pine Award for Lifetime Achievement at the International Samobor Film Music Festival in 2013, alongside Clint Eastwood and Gerald Fried.
2013: Jury Member at 70th Venice International Film Festival
Sakamoto served as a jury member for the 70th Venice International Film Festival in 2013.
2013: "LIFE-WELL" and Sharjah Biennial
The year 2013 saw Sakamoto involved in several projects, including "LIFE-WELL" and the Sharjah Biennial in the United Arab Emirates.
June 2014: Oropharyngeal Cancer Diagnosis and Hiatus
Ryuichi Sakamoto was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer in June 2014 and took a year-long hiatus from his work.
2014: Special Version of "LIFE-WELL" for Park Hyatt Tokyo Anniversary
A special version of "LIFE-WELL" was presented for the 20th anniversary of Park Hyatt Tokyo in 2014.
2014: Guest Artistic Director of Sapporo International Art Festival
Sakamoto became the first guest artistic director for the Sapporo International Art Festival 2014 (SIAF2014).
August 3, 2015: Recovery from Cancer and Announcement of New Project
On August 3, 2015, Sakamoto shared an update on his health after a cancer diagnosis, stating that he was recovering well and looking forward to returning to work, including composing music for the film "Living with My Mother".
2015: Return to Work After Cancer Treatment
After undergoing treatment for cancer, Ryuichi Sakamoto returned to work in 2015, expressing improved health but acknowledging the possibility of the disease returning.
2015: Sakamoto Supports Opposition to Futenma Base Relocation
In 2015, Ryuichi Sakamoto showed his support for the opposition to the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa by releasing a new version of his single "Undercooled." The sales of the single partially funded the "Henoko Fund" aimed at stopping the base relocation.
2015: Collaboration with Iñárritu on "The Revenant"
Ryuichi Sakamoto collaborated with Alejandro González Iñárritu to compose the score for the film "The Revenant," starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, in 2015.
2015: Sakamoto Receives Accolades for "The Revenant" Score
Ryuichi Sakamoto received a Golden Globe nomination, a BAFTA nomination, and won the Best Musical Score award from the Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association for his work on the film "The Revenant" in 2015.
2015: Music for "LIFE-WELL" and "ST/LL" Performances
Sakamoto composed music for the performance "LIFE-WELL", featuring Mansai Nomura, and for Shiro Takatani's performance "ST/LL" in 2015.
2015: Scoring "The Revenant"
Sakamoto's work on the critically acclaimed film "The Revenant" in 2015 showcased his ability to create evocative and haunting scores that perfectly complemented the film's themes.
2016: Reflecting on "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence"
In 2016, Sakamoto reminisced about his experience acting in "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence", sharing that he and Bowie spent time together every evening during the month-long shoot. He fondly described Bowie as "straightforward" and "nice".
January 2017: Announcement of New Album
In January 2017, it was announced that Ryuichi Sakamoto would release a new solo album in April.
March 29, 2017: Release of Album "async"
On March 29, 2017, Ryuichi Sakamoto released his solo album, "async," which was met with critical acclaim.
April 2017: Scheduled Release of Album "async"
April 2017 was the scheduled release month for Ryuichi Sakamoto's album "async," although it was ultimately released in March.
February 2018: Berlin International Film Festival Jury Member
Ryuichi Sakamoto was selected to be a jury member for the main competition section of the 68th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2018.
June 14, 2018: Release of Documentary "Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda"
The documentary about Ryuichi Sakamoto's life and work, "Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda," was released on June 14, 2018. The film explores his recovery from cancer, his return to music creation, his protests against nuclear power, and his creative process.
2020: Return to Tokyo
In 2020, Ryuichi Sakamoto returned to Tokyo after living in New York City for an extended period.
2020: Scoring of "Minamata"
Ryuichi Sakamoto composed the score for Andrew Levitas's film "Minamata," starring Johnny Depp, Minami, and Bill Nighy, which was released in 2020.
January 21, 2021: Ryuichi Sakamoto Announces Rectal Cancer Diagnosis
On January 21, 2021, Ryuichi Sakamoto shared a letter on his website announcing that he was diagnosed with rectal cancer and was undergoing treatment after successful surgery. Despite this, he expressed his hope to continue making music.
2021: World Premiere of "TIME" at Holland Festival
In 2021, Ryuichi Sakamoto was an associate artist at the Holland Festival in Amsterdam. He premiered "TIME," his final collaboration with Shiro Takatani, described as a "wordless opera."
2022: Collaboration with Dumb Type for Venice Biennale
Ryuichi Sakamoto joined the Japanese collective Dumb Type in 2022 and contributed to their installation "2022" at the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.
March 2023: Sakamoto Voices Environmental Concerns Over Jingūmae Redevelopment
In March 2023, shortly before his death, Ryuichi Sakamoto sent a letter to Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike expressing his concerns about the planned redevelopment of the Jingūmae neighborhood, urging a suspension and review due to potential environmental impacts.
March 28, 2023: Death of Ryuichi Sakamoto
On March 28, 2023, the world mourned the loss of musical genius Ryuichi Sakamoto.
April 24, 2023: Release of "Snooze" by Agust D Featuring Ryuichi Sakamoto
Agust D (Suga of BTS) released the song "Snooze" on April 24, 2023, featuring Ryuichi Sakamoto on keyboards as a tribute to the late musician.
2023: Final Film Score for "Monster"
Ryuichi Sakamoto's final film score was for Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Monster," released in 2023. The film is dedicated to his memory.