Hollywood Video

X Japan shot four music videos on a giant transparent rooftop platform 50 feet above the corner of Hollywood and Highland in Los Angeles Jan. 9.

The shoot started at 4 p.m. and lasted longer than six hours, utilizing three cranes, two helicopters, 300 separate fireworks, lasers and two huge “pillars of fire,” according to the Mainichi newspaper. The entire setup was said to have cost the band 500 million yen ($5.2 million).

An estimated 8,000 fans of the group showed up to watch the production being made, having been alerted to the event on the band’s Web site and asked to “register” if they planned to attend (fans under 18 had to get their parents to register).

Some came all the way from Japan and other countries. It was the first time X Japan had played together since July, when drummer and leader Yoshiki, who lives in Los Angeles, underwent cervical spine surgery.