Kraftwerk pay tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto at Fuji Rock 2024

Introducing the track, they said: “The next composition is for my friend, Ryuichi Sakamoto. We are friends forever. Since our first Kraftwerk concert in Tokyo in 1981, and for the No Nukes festival in 2012, Sakamoto wrote new Japanese lyrics for me for ‘Radioactivity,’ which we played that show.”

Kraftwerk cover “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” in tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto at Fuji Rock 2024 pic.twitter.com/BknIo3TsRp

— Patrick St. Michel (@mbmelodies) July 27, 2024

Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away last year, aged 71, after a long battle with both throat, and colon cancer. Before his passing, Ryuichi Sakamoto compiled a playlist to be shared at his own funeral. Totalling a length of almost three hours, the playlist features compositions from DeBussy, Bach, and Ravel, along with works by Ennio Morricone and Sakamoto’s longtime collaborator Alva Noto.

Before his death, Fennesz, David Sylvian, Dev Hynes, Cornelius, and more contributed to a tribute album for the legendary Japanese musician.