Japanese singer Kouji Wada passed away on Sunday, April 3 due to cancer in his upper pharynx. He was 42. Close relatives held a private service for him.
Wada is most notable for performing theme songs for the Digimon anime franchise. His major debut came in 1999, when he performed the theme song "Butter-Fly" for Digimon Adventure. He has since provided the theme songs for Digimon Adventure 02, Digimon Tamers, Digimon Frontier, Digimon: Data Squad, and Digimon Xros Wars. He also performed the opening theme song for the original Japanese version of Transformers: Robots in Disguise (Transformers: Car Robots).
His latest work consisted of performing theme songs for Digimon Adventure tri., the six-part sequel film series of Digimon Adventure. He performed a remake of "Butter-Fly" titled "Butter-Fly ~ tri.Version ~" for the first film, and similarly performed "Seven ~tri.Version~," a remake of his song "Seven" from Digimon Adventure, for the second film.
The official Facebook page for American band The B-52's announced that band member Paul Gordon passed away on Thursday. He was 52.
Gordon collaborated on songs for Saban's English version of Digimon and Transformers: Robots in Disguise, as well as Power Rangers Wild Force. The Digimon songs he co-wrote and performed include the main theme song, "Let's Kick It Up," "Change Into Power," "Hey Digimon," and the "Digi-Rap."
In addition to The B52's, Gordon played keyboard and guitar for the Goo Goo Dolls, Lisa Marie Presley, and, more recently, Jennifer Nettles' band.
May he rest in peace.
