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28 Apr – Bassist Ikuzone of the Japanese rock band Dragon Ash has died after suffering an acute heart failure.
According to Tokyo Hive, Ikuzone, real name Ikuzo Baba, collapsed in his home studio by family members at his side and was rushed to a hospital in central Tokyo on 21 April. He was pronounced dead at 10.55pm on the same day at the age of 46.
He is survived by three children and a funeral service for family members and relatives have been held.
Dragon Ash has cancelled their performance at the Okuma Beach Fest 2012 in Okinawa on 28 April in the wake of Ikuzone's death, and a memorial service for his fans is expected to be held soon.
Ikuzo was one of the founding members of the band, together with guitarist and vocalist Kenji Furuya and Makoto Sakurai, back in 1996. In May 2011, Ikuzo suffered a radial nerve palsy on his left hand which had forced him to take a break from the band, but made a comeback to perform for a new year countdown event in December.
