Hide (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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Hide performing with X Japan in 1997
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| Native name |
松本 秀人
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| Birth name | Hideto Matsumoto | ||||
| Born | December 13, 1964 Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan |
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| Died | May 2, 1998 (aged 33) Minami-Azabu, Minato, Tokyo, Japan |
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| Years active | 1981–1998 | ||||
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| Japanese name | |||||
| Kanji | 松本 秀人 | ||||
| Hiragana | まつもと ひでと | ||||
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Hideto Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本 秀人, Hepburn: Matsumoto Hideto, December 13, 1964 – May 2, 1998), known as hide, was a Japanese musician. He was a singer, songwriter, and record producer. He became famous as the lead guitarist for the rock band X Japan from 1987 to 1997. He also had a successful solo career starting in 1993. In 1996, he formed an international rock supergroup called Zilch.
Hide sold millions of records both by himself and with X Japan. X Japan became very popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They are known for starting the Japanese visual kei music style. When X Japan broke up in 1997, Hide focused on his solo music. He was very popular. He passed away in 1998 while working on his third solo album. Many saw him as a symbol for young Japanese people who wanted to be different. His passing was called "the end of an era."
Contents
Life and Career
Early Years and Saber Tiger (1964–1987)
Hideto Matsumoto was born in Midorigaoka, Japan, on December 13, 1964. He first discovered rock music when he was fifteen. This was through the album Alive II by the band Kiss. His grandmother bought him his first electric guitar that same year.
In 1981, Hide formed his first band, Saber Tiger. They played shows in Yokosuka. Their live performances were known for being shocking and exciting. In 1983, Hide began studying cosmetology and fashion. He graduated in 1985 and became a licensed beautician.
In 1985, Saber Tiger released their own music, an EP with two songs. In 1986, the band changed its name to Saver Tiger. This was to avoid confusion with another band. They continued to perform until January 1987. Hide then decided to end the band. Around the same time, he was asked to join X.
X Japan (1987–1997)
Hide joined X in February 1987. He became the band's lead guitarist and sometimes wrote songs. X Japan released their first album, Vanishing Vision, in 1988. They toured a lot to support the album. They became one of the first Japanese bands to become famous on an independent record label. They are also known as pioneers of the visual kei style.
X Japan's first album with a major label, Blue Blood, came out in 1989. It was very successful. Their third album, Jealousy, was released in 1991. It reached number one on the charts. It sold over 600,000 copies.
After their album Art of Life was released, X Japan members took a break. They wanted to work on their own projects. Hide was the only one who kept his wild, colorful visual kei style. He often had his trademark red, then pink, hair. Dahlia, the band's last album, came out in 1996. It also reached number one. In September 1997, X Japan announced they would break up. Their farewell show, "The Last Live," was on December 31, 1997.
Solo Career (1993–1998)
In 1993, Hide worked on a song called "Frozen Bug." He also appeared in an art film. In 1994, he released his first solo album, Hide Your Face. It reached number 9 on the charts. The music on this album was different from X Japan's style. It was more like alternative rock. He then went on tour with a live band. This band later became his main project, Hide with Spread Beaver.
In 1996, Hide started his own record label called LEMONed. He helped new bands get started. His second solo album, Psyence, was released on September 2. It reached number one. He then went on the Psyence a Go Go tour. He also formed a new band called Zilch in 1996. This band included musicians from the United States and the United Kingdom. After X Japan broke up in 1997, his solo project officially became Hide with Spread Beaver. His backing band members were then considered full members.
Passing
Hide passed away at age 33 on the morning of May 2, 1998. He had just returned to Japan from Los Angeles. On May 1, he recorded for TV shows with his band, Spread Beaver. His younger brother drove him home early the next morning. He was found unconscious around 7:30 AM. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead at 8:52 AM.
About 50,000 people attended his funeral on May 7. Many people were very sad and needed medical help due to emotional exhaustion and the heat. The funeral took place on the warmest day of the year so far.
Paul Raven, the bassist for Zilch, said Hide seemed exhausted but showed no signs of anything being wrong. He mentioned Hide was under a lot of stress from recording his album Ja, Zoo. Hide's younger brother and manager later said that six songs were finished before Hide passed away.
Posthumous Work
1998–2010
After Hide's passing, his single "Pink Spider" was released. It quickly became number one on the charts. The song was also named "Song of the Year" at an awards show. His next single, "Ever Free", also reached number one. Sales of his earlier single, "Rocket Dive", also increased a lot.
Zilch's first album, 3.2.1., came out in July. It reached number 2 on the charts. The band continued to perform for several years. Hide's album Ja, Zoo was released in November of that year. It was credited to 'hide with Spread Beaver'. This album also reached number 2 and sold over a million copies. Even after Hide's death, Spread Beaver went on a tour in 1998. They used recordings of Hide's vocals. About 50,000 people came to see them.
On May 1, 1999, a tribute album called Tribute Spirits was released. It featured other bands covering Hide's songs. This album was released to mark one year since his passing.
A Hide museum opened in his hometown of Yokosuka on July 20, 2000. It is said that Japan's Prime Minister at the time, Junichiro Koizumi, helped make it happen. He was a big fan of X Japan. The museum stayed open for five years. About 400,000 people visited it.
Before he passed, Hide and Yoshiki talked about X Japan reuniting. The surviving members of X Japan did reunite in 2007. They recorded a new song that included an unused guitar track by Hide. At their concerts, a hologram of Hide sometimes performs with the band. X Japan still considers Hide a member of the band.
In 2008, a special concert called the Hide Memorial Summit was held. Many bands performed, including X Japan. Hide with Spread Beaver also performed, using Hide's recorded vocals. Tribute shows have been held every year since 2000 on Hide's birthday.
Many of Hide's old songs, remixes, and unreleased works continue to be published. In 2010, a memorial service was held for him. About 35,000 people attended.
2011–Present
In 2011, a musical based on Hide's music called Pink Spider debuted. Hide had always wanted to create a "rock opera." The musical aimed to continue the story from his song "Pink Spider." It featured a girl who loves rock music.
In 2012, a special project was announced to celebrate Hide's solo career and 50th birthday. This included showing films, reopening the Hide museum, and holding another memorial festival. Several new tribute albums were released in 2013. These albums featured covers of his songs by many different artists. The Hide Museum also reopened in different locations.
In 2013, Hide's grave site was damaged. His management said they might close it to the public if it happened again. A previously unfinished song by Hide called "Co Gal" (子 ギャル, Ko Gyaru) was completed using special technology to mimic his voice. The song was released in 2014.
In 2015, a documentary film about Hide called Junk Story was released. Hide with Spread Beaver performed again in 2016 and 2018. A special box set of his last interviews and recordings was released in 2018. Another documentary film, Hurry Go Round, also came out that year.
In 2022, a live-action film called Tell Me: Hide to Mita Keshiki was released. It was about his brother and bandmate finishing Hide's music after his passing. In 2023, Hide with Spread Beaver reunited for live shows. This was to celebrate 30 years since Hide's solo debut and 25 years since his passing.
Personal Life
Hide's younger brother, Hiroshi, was his driver and manager. Hiroshi has a son. Hide would sometimes bring his nephew onstage during tours and sing to him. Hiroshi is now the president of Hide's management company.
Hide mentioned having a girlfriend in an interview just before he passed away. Her identity was never publicly confirmed.
Musical Style
Influences and Sound
Hide was inspired by hard rock bands like Iron Maiden and AC/DC. He also liked punk rock bands such as The Clash. His biggest idol was Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley. He admired guitarists who played skillfully and had a cool style.
In X Japan, Hide was the second most credited songwriter after Yoshiki. He was also very experimental with his music. For example, his song "Xclamation" used traditional Indian drums. His song "Scars" showed his interest in industrial rock. When Hide passed away, many felt that Japanese metal lost its greatest innovator.
For his solo career, Hide tried new instruments and sounds. His album Hide Your Face used many guitar tracks and a full string section. His solo music was often alternative rock. It included influences from pop rock and industrial rock.
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Hide's song lyrics were often dark. A TV host once said that "A lot of what Hide did was grotesque." He spoke strongly about freedom and doing what you want. His songs often expressed feelings of being different and frustrated. Fans saw him as a rebel. He gave many young people something to believe in.
Equipment
Hide often played Fernandes guitars. He had many signature models with the company. These guitars are still available to buy today. One of his guitars was once owned by Mick Mars from Mötley Crüe.
Legacy and Influence
Hide is seen as a very important figure for Japanese musicians and his generation. X Japan helped create visual kei. This music style is similar to Western glam. Many newer bands are influenced by X Japan. When X Japan broke up, Hide was the only member who kept the visual kei look. He also had the most successful solo career.
Many artists say Hide influenced them. These include bands like D'espairsRay, Mucc, Nightmare, and Versailles. Ryuichi from Luna Sea also said Hide was a big influence.
Hide has been compared to famous musicians like Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix. This is because of his impact on Japanese youth. He was seen as a "guitar god." His stage presence was bold and rebellious. This excited young Japanese people but shocked older generations. Many Japanese felt restricted by society. They connected with Hide's rebellious spirit. He became a very popular figure. Some say he disliked the music business and wanted to change it. He felt "trapped in the image of a pop star." Hide represented a generation of fans who felt different. His passing marked "the end of an era" for Japanese rock music.
Spread Beaver
Hide's backing band for his solo career included:
- Kazuhiko "I.N.A." Inada (稲田和彦) – percussion, programming, keyboards, keytar, backing vocals (1993–1998, 2008, 2016, 2018, 2023)
- Toshiya "Ran" Matsukawa (松川敏也) – guitar, backing vocals (1994–1996)
- Hiroshi "Chirolyn" Watanabe (渡邊紘士) – bass, acoustic guitar, backing and lead vocals (1994–1998, 2008, 2016, 2018, 2023)
- Satoshi "Joe" Miyawaki (宮脇知史) – drums (1994–1998, 2008, 2016, 2018, 2023)
- Daijiro "D.I.E." Nozawa (野澤大二郎) – keyboards, keytar, piano, guitar, backing and lead vocals (1994–1998, 2008, 2016, 2018, 2023)
- Kiyoshi Honma (本間清司) – guitar, backing vocals (1996–1998, 2008, 2016, 2018, 2023)
- Kazuhito "K.A.Z" Iwaike (岩池一仁) – guitar, backing vocals (1998, 2008, 2016, 2018, 2023)
X Japan guitarist Pata often performed with the band. He also appeared on some studio recordings.
Discography
- Hide Your Face (1994)
- Psyence (1996)
- Ja, Zoo (1998)
See also
In Spanish: Hide para niños
