hideto matsumoto

December 16, 1964 - May 2, 1998

(All articles taken from hide's memorial page)

Colorful, flamboyant, in the face and quick. These are the words that describe hide guitaring and music. X-Japan would never be what they were without his personality in their music and concerts. The first time I listened to X-Japan's Kurenai and Week End, I was awed at the amazing speed and agility of the guitar playing. Since then, I have respected and interested in hide and Pata. After getting over with X-Japan's disbandment, I was still glad that at least hide was still active in the music industry. In fact, his solo work was getting better and better. Whenever he was going to release a single, people would always wonder what it will sound like. His style was both unpredictable and unique.

But now, it's just a dream. His death is a shock to all of hide's fans. Everything seems to be going good for him. Why would he commit suicide? Was it just an accident because he was drunk at that time? Why wouldn't he at least leave a message behind?

I didn't know that hide had so many fans until now. He would be proud. His funeral attracted so many people and had so many fans trying to commit suicide that it had news coverage from CNN, Malaysian The Star newspaper and even in Comedy Central's Daily Show.

TThe following text was taken from Rockin'-Heaven's homepage, which was a translation of an article in the Asahi Newspaper:

"On May 2nd 7:30 am, the popular band "X-Japan" former member, Hide, aka Matsumoto Hideto (33), was found hung himself in his mansion home's bedroom in Minamiazabu, Minato-ku in Tokyo by his family. Matsumoto-san was tranfer to the hospital immediately, but was annouced dead on 9:00 am. The police are now investigating the motive of his suicide. According to the investigation, they've found Matsumoto was hanging by the neck from a towel hanging from the room's doorknob. Matsumoto-san just went home the same day on 6:30 in the morning, he was supposed to go to bed, after one hour, his family notice something strange. They did not find any good bye letter. Matsumoto played guitar in "X-Japan" who're disbanded last year. Also he has been very active in AIDS charity projects."