Munetaka Higuchi

Age: 49

Summary: original drummer and founding member of the veteran Japanese heavy metal band Loudness, in which the band released their debut album Free World (1997) and featured famous musicians from the jazz and rock/metal spheres, including Steve Vai, Stanley Clark, Billy Sheehan, Ty Tabor, Terry Bozzio, T.M. Stevens, Ronnie James Dio, and Richie Kotzen.

Cause of Death: Liver cancer

Born: December 24, 1958

Died: November 30, 2008

Location: Osaka, Japan