00:00 >> Bring to the stage now for Yoshiki, legendary music executive Guy O'Seary.
00:09 [ Applause ]
00:11 >> It was 1998. I was just starting out in the music business. I was 25.
00:29 I worked at Maverick Records which was on 8000 Beverly Boulevard with Madonna and Freddie the man.
00:37 And Freddie owned the building that I was working in. It's the place where I started at 18 years old.
00:44 And he came to me and said, you know, today we're going to have someone come look at the building and possibly buy it.
00:51 And he's the Michael Jackson of Japan.
00:55 And I thought, wow, he's coming here to buy this building?
00:59 He said, yeah, he's coming to look at it today. So let's just, you know, be good when he shows up kind of thing.
01:05 So he showed up and it was a magical moment as he walked by the offices.
01:14 The only thing missing was theme music to go along with Yoshiki.
01:19 He needs theme music when he comes out, when he walks. He carries this incredible energy with him.
01:26 Somewhat Prince-like, actually. And I hadn't seen him for many years later until -- oh, he actually bought the building.
01:35 We were kicked out. Had to find a new building. I haven't been back since.
01:41 But it was years later that a friend of ours, mutual friend, Mark Benioff, reconnected us.
01:48 And gave me a chance to get a front row seat to seeing him, the man behind the glasses, the man, not just the mythical Yoshiki, but who he really is.
02:04 And he is a true artist. To see what he's accomplished over those 25 years since I first saw him is remarkable.
02:14 It's an incredible feat to survive and accomplish all the things that he has in the music business.
02:20 It's not easy at all. And he's continually innovated and pushed himself.
02:28 If you've seen anything on Yoshiki, you'd know that it's not been an easy road.
02:33 He's had to deal with a lot of issues, a lot of tragedy with his band, losing his best friends, and also physical.
02:48 Some people would -- he's broken his neck, he's broken his back, he's broken his arms.
02:54 And he's always pushed through all of these tragedies. But he really is a true artist.
03:03 I don't believe, having known him now for a while, that he has any hobbies.
03:10 He has no children. His songs are his children. His art is his life.
03:15 And he gives 100%. He's dedicated to pushing the envelope all the way up as much as he can.
03:25 He doesn't really see a ceiling. He just sees the next chapter.
03:32 Taking a page out of Gene's book on owning your brand, he's also been an incredible businessman.
03:42 While innovating and creating and composing, if you Wikipedia him, you'll see "pop, rock, classical, and heavy metal."
03:52 It's unbelievable. But he also paid attention to his brand. He's also paid attention to his business.
