Yoshiki becomes first Japanese artist to be immortalized at TCL Chinese Theatre hand and footprint ceremony
LOS ANGELES (Release): Legendary Japanese musician and first-time music doc director Yoshiki's cement handprints and footprints were unveiled at a special ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on January 9. Yoshiki is the first Japanese artist to receive the honor from the Chinese Theatre since the tradition began nearly 100 years ago.
Yoshiki's cement prints were placed directly next to those of Kobe Bryant and Jennifer Aniston, in the same area of the courtyard as Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner, Johnny Depp, Robert de Niro, and Al Pacino.
Eager fans from around the globe lined up hours before sunrise to get a close view of the international superstar as he celebrated the historic event surrounded by friends and colleagues from the entertainment industry. Demand to see the legendary artist was so high that large black curtains were placed at the entrance to the forecourt to prevent crowds from disrupting traffic on Hollywood Boulevard.
Yoshiki's international popularity has exploded, and the musician was recently chosen by entertainment giant Sanrio to create the worldwide theme song for Hello Kitty's 50th Anniversary celebration this year, which will be released this coming spring.
Yoshiki is one of just over 300 artists to be immortalized in the nearly 100-year history of the iconic Chinese Theatre to receive this prestigious honor. He was selected as "one of the most influential musicians and composers in Japanese history" and in recognition of his achievements in music, fashion, and film over decades, as well as for his continued philanthropic efforts.
Yoshiki said in his TCL ceremony speech, "I just had my directorial debut for the film called 'Yoshiki: Under the Sky', which was just released a few months ago around the world. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do that.”
"Two months ago, I completed my classical world tour at venues including Royal Albert Hall in London, Carnegie Hall in New York, and Dolby Theatre here in Hollywood,” Yoshiki continued "During that world tour, I dedicated it to my loved ones passing. My mother, my father, and my dear band members Hide and Taiji.”
"As soon as that tour was over, I got the news from Japan that another one of my band members passed away. I still don’t know how to deal with these kinds of feelings or how to deal with this loss, as the son of my parents, and as the leader of the band X Japan, especially thinking about my fans. I don’t know how to deal with this pain.”
“This year, on January 1st, came more sad news, a huge earthquake struck Japan. It hits me so hard. I’d like to share this moment with those who are mourning loved ones lost. If I may, I’d like to take the opportunity of this special event to give something back, as I’ve done before. Today. I decided to donate my crystal piano and put it up for auction, with all proceeds going to the victims of the earthquake. As I donated and supported several times over the past decades.”
"To be honest, it’s really hard to make it day by day. You may feel it in my handprints. Sometimes my hands feel very fragile, sometimes my hands feel very strong. So as my heart. I have been going through some kind of mental upheaval, but my fans have been supporting me and bringing me back to a positive place, so I’m still making it through every day.”
"When you come here and place your hands on my handprints. You may notice they may not be that big. But small hands can do big things, make somebody’s dreams come true, and help to lift up people’s spirits in need. I hope that anyone who comes here can look down at these prints of all these amazing stars – and then look up to the sky – to find hope and inspiration, and your loved ones watching you from the sky. Thank you for this beautiful moment. I love you all."
Yoshiki – who just donated 10 million yen to support victims of the Noto Earthquake in Japan – also announced that he would donate his crystal piano for auction, with all proceeds going to provide further support to the areas affected by the disaster. The auction of Yoshiki’s crystal piano is scheduled to begin January 12 at 12:01am (Japan time) and end on January 16 at 11:59pm via Yahoo Auctions.