Consisting of
Ryuichi Sakamoto (坂本 龍一
Sakamoto Ryuuichi, born January 17, 1952),
Yukihiro Takahashi (高橋 幸宏
Takahashi Yukihiro, born June 6, 1952) and
Haruomi Hosono (細野 晴臣
Hosono Haruomi, born July 9, 1947), Japan's late 1970s band Yellow Magic Orchestra, also known simply as YMO, has exerted - and continues to exert - a profound influence on music in Japan and around the world, particularly in electronic music (techno, electro, house, trance, electronica, etc.) which dominates the international music scene today.
Googling "influence" with "
Yellow Magic Orchestra" and "
YMO" illustrates the tremendous impact this highly influential Japanese band has had on world music.
The
Yellow Magic Orchestra Biography at Amazon.com states:
The trailblazing force behind the emergence of the Japanese techno-pop sound of the late '70s, Yellow Magic Orchestra remains a seminal influence on contemporary electronic music -- hugely popular both at home and abroad, their pioneering use of synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines places them second only to Kraftwerk as innovators of today's electronic culture. YMO was formed in Tokyo in 1978 by keyboardist Ryuichi Sakamoto, who at the time was working on his debut solo LP; among his collaborators was drummer Yukihiro Takahashi, himself also a solo performer as well as a member of the art rock group the Sadistic Mika Band. The third member, bassist Haruomi Hosono, boasted an even more impressive discography, including four solo records as well as a number of production credits. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Below is a work by Yellow Magic Orchestra from 30 years ago, the 1979 "Technopolis." They were far ahead of their time.
Yellow Magic Orchestra / Technopolis