Alice members pay their respect to bandmate Tanimura Shinji

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Singer-songwriter Tanimura Shinji passed away on October 8th at the age of 74. Horiuchi Takao and Yazawa Toru, who worked with Tanimura in the music group, “Alice” paid their respect to their former bandmate.

Horiuchi expressed his sadness, saying, “I can’t hide my surprise at Shinpei-san’s sudden departure. I was told that he was on the road to recovery in preparation for next year’s tour, so I’m very disappointed. Shinpei-san was my best friend for 50 years, the leader of “Alice”, and a good rival. When I was a student, he asked me, ‘Do you want to become a professional? Let’s do Alice together’. I was so happy from the bottom of my heart when he said that. If Shinpei-san hadn’t invited me back then, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m happy that we’ve been able to work together on music for a long time. Let’s do a concert together in the sky someday. Please wait a little longer, and I’ll do our best just a little bit more. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you”.

Yazawa also recalls the time when the group was formed, saying, “I, who lived in Tokyo, Tanimura and Horiuchi, who lived in Osaka, were introduced to me, and the three of us started our journey as Alice. It was just when I was feeling excited about the beginning of a new Alice, thinking, ‘From now on, I’m going to really enjoy music .It’s okay if it’s Tanimura, and I’m sure Tanimura will come back. I felt an absolute sense of certainty. But Tanimura didn’t come back! He’s gone. I’m more frustrated than sad. Tanimura has no place to live except in our hearts. Whenever I remember him, he always comes to my heart. Please don’t forget Tanimura.Thank you for supporting Tanimura and Alice until now”.

Alice held a commemorative live “ALICE GREAT 50 (FIFTY)” in November 2022 and the three were planning to go on tour.

His agency issued a statement that “Tanimura Shinji underwent surgery for enteritis in March of this year and continued to receive medical treatment, but he passed away on October 8th. He was also working hard to recover”. His funeral was held on October 15th with only his close family members.

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