Ryuichi Sakamoto, the influential electronic music composer and member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra who won an Oscar for the score for “The Last Emperor” and composed the haunting score for “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence,” died on March 28 after a long battle with cancer. He was 71.
Michael Jackson fan will always be grateful for the song he wrote: “Behind The Mask”.
In the early 1980s, producer Quincy Jones brought the song to the attention of Michael Jackson, who rewrote Mosdell’s lyrics and added an accompanying melody. Michael’s version was planned for inclusion on his 1982 album Thriller, but was dropped following legal disputes.
Since then, artists including Greg Phillinganes, Eric Clapton, and The Human League have recorded versions based on Jackson’s updated version. Clapton’s single was a top 20 hit in some markets in 1987, and a remixed version of Michael Jackson’s recording was released on his 2010 posthumous album Michael. The original 1982 demo was first made available on the second disc of Thriller 40 in November, 2022.
Sakamoto is survived by his wife and manager, Norika Sora; his ex-wife, Japanese pianist and singer Akiko Yano; and four children.
Thank you for your genius and magic Ryuichi! Rest in Peace.
You can listen to the original “Behind the Mask” here:
And of course Michael’s 2010 amazing video and version of the song here:
