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hide kiss your misery Sitting here, trying to think what I can possibly say about hide is probably the hardest thing I have ever done. Just trying to put everything into words is overwhelming. And yet, I feel like I have to try. hide has done so much to change my life, it's only fair that I give a little something back. Well, I guess the best place to begin is at the beginning. hide began his career as a member of Saver (Saber) Tiger. Then, one fateful day he received a call from his friend Yoshiki, asking him to join his band X. The rest, as they say, is history. X/Japan went on to become the most popular jrock/visual kei band of all time. hide was an integral part of that success, his dynamic playing style and bouncy stage presence making him a fan favourite. During his time with X Japan, hide also began a successful solo career. His first album, hide your face is a wonderful blend of 80s style jrock and hide's own unique style. He followed this album with the even more impressive PSYENCE, which is quite possibly one of the best jrock albums ever. Every song on it is packed with hide's personality. During this time, hide also started his other project Zilch, the band he wanted to bring to the United States. In 1997, X Japan disbanded, mostly because of lead singer Toshi's belief that X wasn't allowing him to be true to himself. hide continued his solo career and began a new project, hide with Spread Beaver, which featured X Japan's other guitarist Pata and many people who had helped with hide's other solo works. hide w/ Spread Beaver continued to release the kind of ultra-catchy jrock that defined hide's career with songs like "everfree" and "Rocket Dive." Everything seemed to be going perfectly. On May 2nd, 1998, hide was found dead in his apartment. He was sitting on the floor, hanging from the bathroom doorknob by a towel. The death was listed as a suicide. To this day, some people believe that it was an accident; that hide was drunk and had done it by accident. No matter how it happened though, hide was still dead. In the days that followed, several fans attempted suicide, and some actually succeeded. Hundreds of thousands showed up at his funeral, where a devastated X Japan performed 'Tears' together for the last time. I discovered hide after he had died. In fact, I didn't even know he was dead until a few days later. When I found out, it hurt in a way I never expected. I had never known hide, and yet his music touched me so deeply. 'Misery' and 'Tell Me' really changed my life. Why hide? What was it about him that was so captivating? He was bouncy, perverted, an alcoholic, silly and totally loveable. He had his faults, like we all do, but somehow he succeeded anyway. And he never lost track of who he was. I remember reading a story about a fan that wrote to hide telling him how much she loved him. She had leukemia, and needed a bone marrow transplant. She didn't expect to live. hide showed up at the hospital and donated for her. She survived, and they stayed in touch after that. I've even heard that he wrote 'Misery' for her. I can't think of many other rock stars that would do a thing like that, even as a publicity stunt. Whenever I try to think of hide, all I can see is his smile and those sparkly, mischievous eyes. He was a brilliant musician, a wonderful performer, but more than that he was a good person. I miss hide, but he wouldn't want his fans to be sad. So, my consolation is that while hide may be dead, he will never be forgotten. Click here to read other testimonials to hide and his legacy. hide your face | Review PSYENCE Ja, Zoo (with Spread Beaver) 3.2.1. (with Zilch) Misery Tell Me pink spider Doubt Pose Hurry-Go-Round Goodbye everfree Rocket Dive blue sky complex LEMONed I Scream 50%&50% Hi-Ho Beauty & Stupid back to index |
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