Messages for Mick

Reese F.

05/01/2024 Thank you Mick for expressing yourself through music and art. Thank you for being relentlessly different and delving into your imagination and soul and bringing it to life for all to hear and see. You are deeply missed. Without a doubt you and your music will continue to inspire and encourage others to do the same. All the love and peace to you and your family and friends

Anne

04/01/2024 Special memories of the early 80s listening and then - finally - getting to see Japan at Lancaster Uni on their farewell tour. Down at the front I was determined to stretch out when Mick was close and I just and so managed to touch his knee... and get a big grin from him as I jubilantly jumped up and down, waving at him, yelling his name! RIP Mick and hope that today especially, and every day, your family, friends and fans remember you with a smile xx

Robert Lester

25/12/2023 I put a message on this page on Christmas Day last year and I'm doing it again today. I was lucky enough to see Japan play live 20 times between 1980 and 1982. I went to see them play in Sheffield, Leicester, Birmingham as well as all over London. My favourite Japan gig was at the Rock City Nottingham in May 1981. We were right at the front, up against the stage, the music and the show was great and I managed to take some lovely photos of Mick, some of which I still have today. Watching David, Richard and Steve was always great, but my attention was often focussed just on Mick as he was so unique in every way. His style, his clothes and of course his amazing bass playing, it was hard to take your eyes off him. Like all of you, I will never forget seeing Mick glide across the stage as he was playing and I will also never forget his small clap towards the end of The Art Of Parties, something I always used to look forward to at all their gigs. Another thing I will never forget is how Mick almost missed his cue at their last song at their last ever gig at the Hammersmith Odeon in November 1982. He only just about got there in time as the music started. Ten years later in 1992, I was lucky enough to meet Mick after a gig at The Grand Theatre in Clapham. Mick, Steve and Richard had played with a band called No Man and Mick was going to walk right past me and of course I had to say Hello. We must have talked for about ten minutes, mainly about his time in Japan and it was, and still is, one of the most amazing experiences in my whole life. He was a very kind man and he is sadly missed by all of us.

Jon White

16/11/2023 GOD Bless you Mick, Thank you for being a shining Star in my life, from,Our younger years I was a fan of Roxy Music.So Japan was a breath of fresh air,and it was your Bass playing and your quiet intensity that I loved coupled with that sliding bass note,reminded me of my violin playing days and bow sliding .But Dear Mick be at Peace now,and to your Wife and Family my profound condolences,to you all .I am old now 70yrs but still fell the 21 yr old boy I lost. Be At Peace, Shalom.Jonathan White Little Totham Maldon ESSEX.

Brad paine

07/09/2023 Sitting here listening to “sensitive” on a summer’s evening remembering how much I loved Mick karns gift of music.

Den

21/08/2023 I was lucky to see Mick play live. An indelible musician/performer. His book ‘Japan and Self Existence, I still read parts of it occasionally just to connect. I feel his life deserved so much more. I sense it was a difficult one in many ways, and that I find sad because of his unique style and talents. I still cannot compare him to anyone because of his enigmatic demeanour and the manner on which he approached and produced his work. I miss him. He was a multi-faceted artist. I hope his family are well.