Beloved bassist Tetsu Yamauchi passed away on Thursday, December 4, at age 79, his family announced via social media.
“To all of you who have always supported us,” Yamauchi’s family shared via X on Monday, December 8. “On December 4, Reiwa 7, [The year 2025 in the Japanese calendar] Tetsu Yamauchi passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. We sincerely thank everyone who enjoyed Tetsu’s music and offered kind words until now. Those were fun times. It’s a long time, but a short time.”
Tetsu Yamauchi Had a Storied Career
Yamauchi was born in Fukuoka, Japan, on October 21, 1946. He began touring internationally in the late 1960s with Mickey Curtis and his band, Samurai. Yamauchi would later work as a session musician in Tokyo and London.
He linked up with Free guitarist Paul Kossoff, drummer Simon Kirke, and keyboardist John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick for a “one-off album after Free had temporarily splintered amid disagreements between frontman Paul Rodgers and bassist Andy Fraser,” according to Louder.
When Fraser left the band months later, Yamauchi replaced him appearing on Free’s final album, “Heartbreaker.”
Following the band’s split in 1973, Yamauchi replaced Ronnie Lane in the Faces.
Keyboardist Ian McLagan later called Yamauchi’s hiring a “mistake.”
“We made a mistake really with Tetsu,” McLagan told Louder in 2011. “It wasn’t his fault, but he was a party boy and thought he was in for lots of drinks and a little bit of playing, while we were looking for more creation and a lot less boozing. But you couldn’t replace Ronnie.”
Yamauchi remained with the band until it dissolved in 1975, appearing on two single releases, the 1974 live album “Coast to Coast: Overture and Beginners” and participating in stadium tours.
He retired from the music industry in the late 1990s, relocating to the Japanese countryside with his family.
Getty“Any band reunion (Free/Faces) situation would be an affront to his current lifestyle, which is humble and very religious,” friend Alan Merrill told Rod Stewart Fan Club in 2011.
Tributes Poured In for Tetsu Yamauchi
Fans immediately began sharing their condolences after news of Yamauchi’s passing was shared.
“RIP Tetsu. he fit in well I thought👍sounded good on the live album as I recall,” one fan wrote via X.
“🙏❤️ loved a drop of gold watch! Great bass player! The Faces what a band! ❤️” another shared.
“Sad news. Ronnie was still with the Faces both times I saw them live, but I’m sure I would have seen them with Tetsu if the opportunity had arisen. RIP,” a third added.
