Hide (musician)

Quick Facts: Who was Hide (musician)?

Subject:

Hide (musician)

Known for:

Iconic Japanese musician, lead guitarist for X Japan, known for pioneering visual kei.

Born:

1964-12-13

Died:

1998-05-02

Century / Era:

1964s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Hideto Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本 秀人, Hepburn: Matsumoto Hideto; December 13, 1964 – May 2, 1998), known professionally as Hide, was a Japanese musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the rock band X Japan from 1987 to 1997 and rose to prominence in Asia as a solo artist from 1993 to 1998, until his death. He also formed the United States–based rock supergroup Zilch in 1996. Hide sold millions of records, both solo and as a member of X Japan. X Japan rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, credited as founders of the Japanese visual kei movement.

Career & Major Achievements

When they disbanded in 1997, he focused on his solo career which started four years prior and went on to enjoy significant popularity. At the height of his fame, while recording his third studio album and about to launch an international career with the newly formed Zilch, he died in 1998 of what was ruled a suicide by hanging. He was seen as an icon for Japanese youth rebelling against their country's conformist society, and his death was labeled "the end of an era". Hideto Matsumoto was born at St. Joseph's Hospital in Midorigaoka, Japan, on December 13, 1964, and attended Yokosuka Tokiwa Junior High School. He was first exposed to rock music at the age of fifteen, through the album Alive II by Kiss.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

That year his grandmother bought him his first electric guitar, a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe. On March 11, 1980, Hide graduated from Tokiwa Junior High School. He entered Zushi Kaisei Senior High School in Zushi, Kanagawa, where he entered the school's brass band as a club activity. He quit the band after a short time because he was assigned the clarinet while he wanted to play the trumpet. After this, he concentrated on guitar and in 1981 formed the band Saber Tiger.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1964 (1964-12-13): Birth of Hide (musician) — Iconic Japanese musician, lead guitarist for X Japan, known for pioneering visual kei.
2. 1980: 1980 Milestone — On March 11, 1980, Hide graduated from Tokiwa Junior High School.
3. 1981: 1981 Milestone — After this, he concentrated on guitar and in 1981 formed the band Saber Tiger.
4. 1987: 1987 Milestone — He achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the rock band X Japan from 1987 to 1997 and rose to prominence in Asia as a solo artist from 1993 to 1998, until his death.
5. 1996: 1996 Milestone — He also formed the United States–based rock supergroup Zilch in 1996.
6. 1997: 1997 Milestone — When they disbanded in 1997, he focused on his solo career which started four years prior and went on to enjoy significant popularity.
7. 1998 (1998-05-02): Passing & Historical Legacy — Hide (musician) passed away on 1998-05-02, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hide (musician)

True or False: “Hide's early career band, Saber Tiger, was formed after he quit the brass band because he wanted to play the trumpet.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He quit the band because he was assigned the clarinet while he specifically wanted to play the trumpet.

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• 1964 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1964
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