Breaking: X Japan Bassist Heath Passes Away at 55

X Japan, the iconic rock band from Japan, has announced the devastating loss of their bassist, Heath, who passed away at the age of 55. The band confirmed the news in an official statement on October 29, revealing that he had succumbed to colorectal cancer.

According to the statement, Heath's cancer was discovered during an examination earlier this year, and despite his efforts to fight the disease, his condition deteriorated abruptly in October, leading to his passing in the hospital. The remaining X Japan members, Yoshiki, Toshi, Pata, and Sugizo, expressed their profound gratitude to those who had cherished Heath throughout his life.

Yoshiki, the lead singer of X Japan, also paid a heartfelt tribute to Heath in an individual statement, describing him as a phenomenal bass player, a valued band member, and an extraordinary human being. Yoshiki shared some cherished memories of their friendship, including a recent close bond formed during Yoshiki's birthday show last year and an emotional phone conversation that lasted until daybreak.

Born as Hiroshi Morie in 1968, in Amagasaki near Osaka, Heath joined X Japan in 1992. He contributed to the band's success with albums such as "Art of Life" in 1993 and "Dahlia" in 1996. Following X Japan's farewell performance in 1997, Heath embarked on a solo career and released multiple albums until 2009. He also collaborated with fellow X Japan guitarist Pata in a side project called Dope Headz, releasing four albums.

Heath's presence in the music industry was also emphasized in the acclaimed 2016 documentary "We Are X," which highlighted his significant contributions to X Japan and their shared journey. The band's statement mentioned that a formal farewell ceremony for Heath, in accordance with his family's wishes, will be arranged at a later date, providing an opportunity for fans to honor his memory.

The band concluded their statement by mentioning that the original schedule for Heath's obituary release has been adjusted due to media coverage and exposure that surpassed reasonable measures. X Japan expressed their sorrow and deep mourning for the sudden loss of their dear friend and bandmate, Heath, leaving fans and the music industry shocked and grieving the loss of this talented musician.