☭ marselip0910 叶俊华™

Source + Photo: Sanspo
by amapion March 28, 2011

「１日も早い復興を願う！！」。希代のロックボーカリストが、被災者救済のため立ち上がった。

４月９日の岐阜公演を皮切りに金沢、大阪、福岡の西日本４都市（８公演）を回るチャリティーツアーを急きょ企画。公演会場は、電力不足が叫ばれる東京電力、東北電力管内ではないが、節電をより多くの人々に訴えるため、電気をあまり必要としない生演奏のオーケストラをバックに行うことになった。

また、趣旨に賛同したＸ　ＪＡＰＡＮのベース、ＨＥＡＴＨとＬＵＮＡ　ＳＥＡのドラム、真矢が応援参加することも決定した。

１１日の地震発生以来、テレビのニュース映像で被害の大きさに驚がくしたＴｏｓｈＩ。特に心に突き刺さったのが、ソロ活動中にライブで回った東北地方の惨状だった。「僕たちができることを、すぐにでも始めたい」と、会場探しからスタッフの手配、宣伝業務、ボランティア集めなどすべて自分で行い、入念に準備を進めてきた。

ステージでは、ＴｏｓｈＩがピアノの弾き語りでソロ楽曲を披露するほか、Ｘ　ＪＡＰＡＮの名曲をＨＥＡＴＨや真矢とセッション。リーダーのＹＯＳＨＩＫＩと共通の友人で宝石デザイナー兼ソングライター、士田昌枝さんが復興の願いを込めて書き下ろした「春の願い」を初披露し、Ｘ　ＪＡＰＡＮメンバーなど賛同者の私物オークションも開催。収益金は日本赤十字社を通じて被災地へ全額寄付される。

ただ、東北や首都圏でも開催したかったが、電力不足や会場の安全面から断念せざるを得なかったという。ＴｏｓｈＩは「今こそ日本が閉鎖的になってはいけないと思う。時期や状況を見つつ、東京や被災地でも必ずやります」と熱く宣言し、本紙を通じて「皆さまの心強いお力を、どうかお貸しください」と協力を呼び掛けた。

ToshI, the vocalist of rock band X JAPAN, has announced an upcoming charity concert tour to benefit disaster victims.

The tour will kick off on April 9th. In order to raise support for energy conservation, he will be accompanied by a live orchestra instead of recorded music. He also plans to unveil a new song dedicated to those affected by the disaster, called “Haru no Negai“, as well as auction off some personal items to raise money. Discouraged from performing in affected areas like Northeastern Japan and the Tokyo area due to power outages and safety issues, he nevertheless declared, “We’ll take a look at the situation, but I definitely want to perform in Tokyo and the most affected areas as well.”

The rock vocalist, in a rare gesture, stood up for the victims of the earthquake: “I pray for Japan to recover as soon as possible!”

Four shows covering Western Japan were quickly schedule for the tour. Beginning on April 9 with a performance in Gifu, and then Kanazawa, Osaka, and Fukuoka, the tour will cover 8 shows in four cities. The stages are not part of the area called to cut back on energy consumption to help Tokyo and Northeastern Japan, but in order to support the conservation measure, the singer will use the least energy as possible, singing with a live orchestra instead of recorded music.

In addition, X JAPAN bassist HEATH and LUNA SEA drummer Shinya have agreed to support ToshI’s efforts by participating in the concerts.

Since the earthquake and tsunami hit on the 11th, ToshI has been shocked by the TV news coverage of the wide-spread damage. He was particularly struck by the terrible images of Northeastern Japan’s damage, because he had visited the area in the past for solo concerts. He scrupulously prepared the tour, finding locations, hiring staff, advertising, and gathering volunteers all by himself. He explained, “If there is anything I can do to help, I want to start right away.”

During the show, ToshI will accompany himself on the piano to perform new solo songs, and will also have a jam session with HEATH and Shinya to play some of X JAPAN’s famous hits. Jewelry-designer/Songwriter Shita Akie, who is a mutual friend of ToshI and X JAPAN leader YOSHIKI, wrote the song “Haru no Negai” that ToshI will introduce for the first time. There will also be an auction of X JAPAN and other celebrities’ personal items. All proceeds will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross to benefit the earthquake and tsunami victims.

Sadly, due to power outages and safety issues, ToshI was forced to abandon plans to perform in Northeastern Japan and in the Tokyo area. However, he voiced his support for these areas, saying, “In such a crucial moment, I think it’s wrong for parts of Japan to be separated like this. We’ll take a look at the situation, but I definitely want to perform in Tokyo and the most affected areas as well.” Next he made an appeal to the public: “I applaud everyone’s strength during these hard times. Please help in any way you can.”