Japan's Biggest Rock Band To Play Lollapalooza's Main Stage

On Sunday, August 8, X Japan will make its U.S. concert debut as it shares the stage with other international superstars such as Lady Gaga, Green Day, Soundgarden, MGMT, and The Strokes.

Calling X Japan the most successful rock band in Japan is not a statement made lightly. X Japan has sold more than 30-million albums, singles and videos, headlined and sold out Japan's 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome 18 times - so far - and has started playing to tens of thousands of fans outside of Japan.

Going back to the 1980s, the band's look and sound sparked a global interest in Japanese entertainment, especially with the Japanese cultural rock phenomenon, "Visual-Kei," a movement X Japan pioneered that went on to become a catalyst for today's worldwide Anime craze.

Yoshiki, the band's leader/songwriter/drummer and classically-trained pianist, has been referred to by his first name only throughout his professional career, and is arguably Asia's most influential musical artist and biggest rock icon. According to one industry insider, "Yoshiki is to Japan what Bono is to the UK."

"We are very honored to be asked to play Lollapalooza," said Yoshiki. "This is a wonderful opportunity for X Japan to bring our music to new fans, to play some of our brand new songs, and to play for our U.S. fans." At least one brand new song, "Born to be Free," will make its worldwide debut during X Japan's Lollapalooza set.

The members of X Japan - Yoshiki, Toshi (vocals), Pata (guitars), Heath (bass), and Sugizo (guitar) - have been spending time in Yoshiki's Los Angeles recording studio working on what will be the band's U.S. debut, and its first album sung in English. "We decided to record English lyrics for four or five of our most popular, previously released songs," Yoshiki explained, "and then write an additional four or five brand new songs, also sung in English. We have worked very hard on this album, and we are very excited to present our music to the American rock fans."