Class member Katsuyuki Tsukui dies at 49

Katsuyuki Tsukui, a member of the two-man band Class, died of pancreatic cancer on Friday afternoon. He was 49 years old.

This past May, Tsukui revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year and was receiving treatment. On September 30, Tsukui’s condition worsened, and he was admitted to a hospital the next day. He passed away one day later.

class was formed in 1993 by Tsukui and Takanori Hiura (49), and they made their debut with the hit single “Natsu no Hi no 1993,” which sold well over a million copies. The duo broke up in 1996, but they reunited in 2003. In April 2008, Hiura left the band and was replaced by Koso Okazaki (49).

Tsukui’s last public appearance was a recording for Fuji TV’s “Music Fair” that was aired on September 5.

Source:
Sankei Sports