Endo Michiro, vocalist and founder of influential punk band, The Stalin, passed away from pancreatic cancer

Social activist and legendary punk rocker Endo Michiro (68) passed away on April 25th after his battle with pancreatic cancer.

The announcement was made on his official Twitter account:

【遠藤ミチロウオフィスより】

遠藤ミチロウは、昨年より膵臓癌を患い闘病を続けてまいりましたが、2019年4月25日に都内の病院にて永眠いたしました。

葬儀は本人の意向により近親者のみで執り行いました。後日、音楽葬を行う予定です。

生前のご厚誼を深謝し、謹んでご報告申し上げます。

— エンドウ ミチロウ (@michiro60) April 30, 2019

Endo is best known for being the frontman of the influential punk band, The Stalin, which was active between 1980-1985. Endo said he chose the name because “Joseph Stalin is very hated by most people in Japan, so it’s very good for our image”.

Endo also formed Video Stalin which lasted from 1987-1988 and a new band known as Stalin from 1989-1993.

According to news reports, Endo was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer back in mid-August 2018.  He would undergo surgery in October and continued to fight the cancer up to his death on April 25th.

A funeral was held by relatives but a music funeral is being planned for Endo at a later time.

In 2011, Endo created “Project FUKUSHIMA!” to restore his hometown which was affected by the Tohoku Earthquake and Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster.

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