Tempters drummer Hiroshi Oguchi dies of cancer

Musician Hiroshi Oguchi died at a Tokyo hospital on Sunday night, succumbing to liver cancer. He was 58. Oguchi had repeatedly been in and out of the hospital for cirrhosis for some time. About a year ago, he underwent surgery to remove the cancer, and he had been seriously fighting his illness since then.

Oguchi is best known as the drummer of the band The Tempters, one of the top acts of the Group Sounds era. He later became a member of the bands PYG and Vodka Collins, and he eventually extended his career into acting and fashion design.

Oguchi married actress Kimie Shingyoji (49) in 1983. The following year, he was found guilty of marijuana possession, though he received a suspended sentence. The couple gave birth to a son named Gento in 1986, who is currently active as a musician. In 1991, Oguchi’s fashion company went bankrupt, prompting Shingyoji’s return to show business. In 1997, Shingyoji even released a nude photo collection shot by Oguchi. Despite their persistence through 22 years of marriage, they eventually divorced in 2005 largely due to financial reasons.

As an actor, Oguchi had roles in several dramas and films, including “Kita no Zeronen” and “Japan Sinks” His last job was in Yasutomo Nakai’s movie “Kafu wo Machiwabite,” which is scheduled to open on February 28. He had been fairly healthy when he played the role of a doctor during filming last April.

Source:
Sports Hochi