Mikio Fujioka, best known as a guitarist for the Japanese metal-pop band Babymetal, has died at the age of 36.
The band confirmed the news of his passing in a post on their Instagram on Tuesday (January 9).
“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. We are the one. Together. We’re the only one. You are the one. Forever #RIP #THEONE,” they wrote.
Mikio toured with Babymetal since 2013 as one of the four guitarists in their live band. They’ve gone on the road with Guns N’ Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
According to posts on his official Twitter account from his wife, the musician fell from an astronomical observation deck in December, and later passed away from the injuries on January 5.
Our thoughts are with Mikio‘s loved ones at this difficult time.
