Mikio Fujioka — a guitarist best known for playing alongside Japanese pop-metal outfit Babymetal — has died. Both the band and Fujioka's wife confirmed his passing on social media today (January 9). He was 36.
Through the guitarist's official Twitter account, Fujioka's wife revealed he had fallen from a height on December 30, succumbing to his injuries on January 5. The band wrote, "we hope that he is now with his GUITAR MASTER [Allan Holdsworth] and enjoying an epic guitar session with him."
A graduate of the Musicians Institute of Osaka, Fujioka had toured with Babymetal as a member of their backing "Kami Band" outfit since 2013. He was best known to fans as "Ko-Gami," meaning "the little god."
Through the guitarist's official Twitter account, Fujioka's wife revealed he had fallen from a height on December 30, succumbing to his injuries on January 5. The band wrote, "we hope that he is now with his GUITAR MASTER [Allan Holdsworth] and enjoying an epic guitar session with him."
A graduate of the Musicians Institute of Osaka, Fujioka had toured with Babymetal as a member of their backing "Kami Band" outfit since 2013. He was best known to fans as "Ko-Gami," meaning "the little god."
The "Little" Guitar Kami of #BABYMETAL 's #Kamiband has passed away in the METAL GALAXIES. We hope that he is now with his GUITAR MASTER A.Holdsworth and enjoying an epic guitar session with him.
— BABYMETAL (@BABYMETAL_JAPAN) January 9, 2018
We are the one
Together
We're the only one
You are the one
Forever#RIP #THEONE pic.twitter.com/NMUg3mhmes
訃報のお知らせ
— 藤岡幹大(仮) (@mikio158cm) January 9, 2018
ギタリスト藤岡幹大が平成29年12月30日に天体観測中高所から落ち療養の最中、平成30年1月5日夜容態が急変し娘2人に見守られながら享年36歳で永眠いたしました。
ファンの皆様、関係者様、全速力で生きた彼のことを今後も愛して頂けたら幸いです。ありがとうございました。 妻
— 藤岡幹大(仮) (@mikio158cm) January 9, 2018