‘King Of Fuji Rock’ Cancels

Kiyoshiro Imawano, the semi-official “King of the Fuji Rock Festival,” canceled his July 30th appearance on the festival’s Green Stage on account of illness July 12th.

Kiyoshiro had been experiencing discomfort in his throat since the beginning of June and went to a doctor to have it checked, according to newspaper reports. He was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx. He has since been hospitalized and is undergoing treatment.

The 55-year-old singer and songwriter has played at every Fuji Rock Festival from 1998 to 2005 except for 2003, and in many of those years he performed on more than one stage.

With his painted nails, heavy mascara and fly-away hair, Kiyoshiro is one of the most eccentric, not to mention eclectic, pop stars in Japanese music.

He formed the legendary folk-rock group RC Succession while in high school in the early ’70s. His subsequent solo career has embraced every style of music from blues to hard rock to soul (he once toured with Booker T. and the MG’s). He has also acted in films and on television.

Kiyoshiro has sent out a message to his fans on his home page saying that, like everything in life, his illness is another experience.

“I hope I can devote myself to the treatment with the feeling that I can learn something from these new blues.”

– Philip Brasor