The sudden death of Reita from Japanese rock band The GazettE

The Gazette's Reita passed away
Who was Reita?
Early life
Early beginnings
Learning the bass
Becoming ‘The Gazette’
Full house
The Gazette’s music
The Gazette’s popularity
What is ‘Visual Kei’?
Famous look
Death
Online presence
Promoted the band
Private mourning
Loss in the J-rock world
Memorial concert on his birthday
Rescheduling upcoming concert
The Gazette's Reita passed away

In April 2024, fans of Japanese rock were struck by tragedy, as Reita from the J-rock band The GazettE passed away.

Image: gazette05Reita / X

Who was Reita?

Reita was the bassist of the J-rock band The GazettE. The band is considered one of the biggest J-rock bands not just in Japan, but also worldwide, reports Zoom Japan.

Image: gazette05Reita / X

Early life

Reita was born on May 27, 1982, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. His real name has not been disclosed to the public, even to this day,

Image: reita_the_gazette_ / Instagram

Early beginnings

Reita was one of the founding members of The GazettE. According to the band's official page, Reita met Uruha, the band’s eventual lead guitarist, when they both attended the same elementary school.

Image: reita_the_gazette_ / Instagram

Learning the bass

According to Bass Magazine, Reita learned the bass in middle school. He had wanted to master the guitar but gave up and picked the bass because he thought it would be an easier instrument to play.

Image: Sony Music

Becoming ‘The Gazette’

In 2002, The GazettE was formed by Reita, Uruha, and Ruki. Fool’s Mate reports that the band was formed when the trio grew tired of playing for others and decided to form a band themselves.

Image: PS Company

Full house

The GazettE became a fully formed band when they recruited members Aoi and Yune in 2002, and later released their first single, ‘Wakaremichi’ in the same year, in April.

Image: PS Company

The Gazette’s music

The GazettE is also known for other hit songs such as ‘SHIVER’, ‘PLEDGE’, and ‘Cassis’.

Image: PS Company

The Gazette’s popularity

The GazettE is one of Japan’s most recognizable bands, as they were part of the second generation of ‘Visual Kei’ rock bands.

Image: PS Company

What is ‘Visual Kei’?

According to TimeOut, ‘Visual Kei’ bands derive from a Japanese subculture where a huge focus is placed on the theatrical appearance of musicians.

Image: King Records

Famous look

Specifically, Reita was famously known for his unique appearance, often donning headwear that obscured part of his face. Initially, he wore a white cloth to cover his nose but eventually switched to a leather mask.

Image: Sony Music

Death

Reita passed on April 15, 2024, Sankei Sports reports. The news outlet states that his death left band members and employees of The GazettE in a state of confusion due to it being "sudden and unbelievable".

Image: reita_the_gazette_ / Instagram

Online presence

JRock News reported that the circumstances surrounding Reita’s passing were strange, as the bassist had been very active on social media before his passing.

Image: gazette05Reita / X

Promoted the band

The same report from JRock News states that Reita had even tweeted: “I hope the GazettE will last forever” earlier on the same day on April 15, promoting the band’s upcoming activities and material.

Image: Sony Music

Private mourning

Sankei Shimbun reports that Reita’s death will be privately mourned by close relatives and requested that news outlets refrain from publishing speculative news on the nature of his death.

Image: gazette05Reita / X

Loss in the J-rock world

Reita's death is a massive one to the J-rock world, given his legacy as one of Japan’s most prolific bassists and rockers. He is the second member of The GazettE to have passed, with the first being Yune, who passed on 28 December 2022.

Image: Sony Music

Memorial concert on his birthday

According to The GazettE's official X account, Reita's death has prompted band members to dedicate their upcoming concert to the deceased bassist. They will play on his birthday, May 27.

Image: theGazettESTAFF / X

Rescheduling upcoming concert

The band was scheduled to perform on May 25th, but due to Reita's death and the decision to turn the concert into a memorial event, the event has been rescheduled.

Image: theGazettESTAFF / X

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