
Yoshiki
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Yoshiki Donates $100k To MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund "To Help My Colleagues Who Might Be Struggling"
Japanese composer, pianist, rock drummer, and leader of X JAPAN, Yoshiki, has donated $100,000 to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund to help music creators and professionals affected by the Coronavirus crisis.
The generous donation comes alongside a contribution of 10M Yes (approx. $100k) the star has donated to Japan Red Cross as well as $24k to Meals On Wheels branches in Los Angeles, where Yoshiki lives.
In a statement, Yoshiki said, "While I have been calling for performances to be halted for the sake of the fans during this necessary time of self-restraint, I can also understand from my own experience the magnitude of the economic losses. The current crisis threatens not only the entertainment industry but many people across various industries.
Learn More: Recording Academy And MusiCares Establish COVID-19 Relief Fund
"As a musician, I decided to donate to the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help my colleagues who might be struggling. With this virus threatening not just one country but the entire world, I sincerely hope, that through self-restraint and patience, we can contain the spread of new infections and eliminate this threat as soon as possible, and all industries can be revived again, including the entertainment industry," he added.
Yoshiki's non-profit organization, Yoshiki Foundation America previously, worked with MusiCares in 2017 to deliver $100,000 in disaster aid to Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas.
MusiCares Chair Steve Boom said, "We greatly appreciate the generous donations that will help support music professionals in need. The COVID-19 Relief Fund will help us provide much needed assistance to creators and industry professionals who have been most affected by this pandemic, due to the unprecedented cancellation of music events and work opportunities. This collective effort will ensure we have the necessary resources to keep the music playing."
Yoshiki has has also been active in sharing information about COVID-19, and even hosted a conversation with Nobel Laureate Shinya Yamanaka to discuss worldwide health concerns.
For more information about Yoshiki Foundation America, visit the organization's website.
If you wish to support our efforts to assist music people in need, visit: https://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/CoronavirusReliefFund