The Tempters vocalist/actor Hagiwara Kenichi has passed away

Hagiwara Kenichi (68), aka “Shoken” the vocalist of The Tempters and actor in numerous dramas, has passed away from complications from Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). He has battled GIST since 2011.

Known from his charismatic cool look, bad boy image (and occasional run-ins with law enforcement) and vocals during the ’60s, Hagiwara was also a founder of PYG alongside Sawada Kenji.

Hagiwara also appeared on films such as “Kegemusha” (1980), “Love Letter” (1985),”Tajomaru (2009) and many more films. He has also appeared on the TV dramas “Taiyo ni Hero!”, “Toshii to Matsu” and most recently in “Dokonimo na Kuni”.

Hagiwara was currently married to model Tomita Rika (since 2011) and was previously married to Koizumi Hitomi (1975-1978) and actress Ishida Ayumi (1980-1984).