Information on the Raphael:
Raphael was formed in March 1997 and had to disband after the death of the leader, Kazuki on 31.10.2000 at 9a.m. Kazuki died from an over dosage of Tranquilizers. A medicine to reduce stress... Kazuki was the one who named the band, "Raphael", as he remembered "the healing angel" as raphael at his Catholic School. It was because Kazuki wanted his music to be able to heal the hearts of the listeners. Their major debut was in July 1999 with their single 'hana saku inochi aru kagiri'.
More information on Kazuki & the band:
Kazuki's story is a very sad one. He leaded a hard life at a young age. He's father had disapproved of Kazuki's dream of being a singer and putting all his efforts into music. And because of this, Kazuki ran away from home at the aged of 15. He was all alone at that time and aimed on pursuing his goal in life. But during this time, Kazuki met Mr. Hirai who soon became Raphael's producer. Mr. Hirai invited Kazuki to stay and he was willingly to help Kazuki work towards his goals. And because of Mr. Hirai, Kazuki was able to form Raphael with Yukito. Later, Hiro & Yuki joined the band.
All members of Raphael quitted school at a young age to pursue their dreams and goals in life.
As for Kazuki, he's dream was to become a great musician... and he's dream did came true...
Being the leader of Raphael at such a young age, Kazuki had to face lots of problems and had great responsibilities. Thus, Kazuki started to take Tranquilizers to relieve the stress he was feeling.
On top of being the leader of Raphael, he was also planning on his solo career which added stress too. That was how Kazuki sadly passed away unexpectedly.
A day before Kazuki's death, he and the other members of Raphael was having a handshake meeting with fans & he was jokingly playing with Yuki too... But, the next day, fans were shocked on hearing upon this news...
Members:
Name: Yuki
Real Name: Yuki Sakurai
Gender: Male
Role: Vocalist
Bithday Date: 11 July 1981
Blood type: B
Height: 176
Hometown: Kanagawa
Name: Kazuki
Real Name: Kazuki Watanabe
Gender: Male
Role: Guitarist, Leader of the band, Song & Lyrics writer
Birthday: 7 April 1981
Blood type: B
Height: 175
Hometown: Tokyo
Name: Yukito
Real Name: Yukito Honda
Gender: Male
Role: Bassist
Birthday: 23 May 1981
Blood type: A
Height: 170
Hometown: Hama
Name: Hiro
Real Name: Kazuhiro Murata
Gender: Male
Role: Drummer
Birthday: 17 November 1981
Blood type: B
Hometown: Kanagawa
Discography:
1997,
--> 1st Live in CLUB24 at Yokohama, 24.12.1997
1998,
--> 1st Mini-Album "Lilac", 07.04.1998
--> 1st Video "~LILAC~ ~VISION OF EXTREMES~" (1st press with an illustration sticker drawn by Kazuki), 01.08.1998
--> 1st Single "White Love Story" (30,000 copies limited), 01.11.1998
1999,
--> 1st Maxi Single "SICK", 20.02.1999
--> 2nd Single "Yume Yori Sutekina" (1st press with a photo card), 29.04.1999
--> 3rd Single "Sweet Romace" (1st press with a photo card), 29.04.1999
--> 4th Single "Hana Saku Inochi Aru Kagiri" (Raphael's past singles)(1st press with a photo card & special packaging), 23.07.1999
--> 2nd Video "VISION OF EXTREMES II" (1st press with a mini sticker collection), 22.09.1999
--> 5th Single "eternal wish ~Todokanu Kimie~" (1st press with a special postcard), 01.10.1999
--> 1st Major Album "Mind Soap", 01.12.1999
2000,
--> 1st Major Mini-Album "Sotsugyou", 23.03.2000
--> 3rd Video "Pictoral Poem", 24.05.2000
--> 6th Single "evergreen" (1st press with a photo card), 23.08.2000
--> 4th Video "Raphael Special LIVE "graduation" 200.3.4 Nippon Budokan", 23.08.2000
--> 7th Single "Akikaze no Rhapsody" (1st press with an A4 size poster), 01.11.2000
2001,
--> 2nd Album "Fumetsuka" (1st press with Kazuki poster), 21.02.2001
--> 1st Photo Book "Daisuki, Kajurin" (Mainly on Kazuki)(7000 copies limited), 17.02.2001
--> 2nd Photo Book "Kagetsu Tei-neiji" (All about Kazuki), 22.03.2001
--> 5th Video "forever and ever" (Raphael Singles)(1st press with art poster of Kazuki in "Tenshi nanka jyanai" drawn by mangaka Ai Yazawa), 25.04.2001
--> 3rd Photo Book "Evergreen" (All about Kazuki)(2800 copies limited), 20.06.2001
--> 8th Single "lost graduation" (1st press with postcard), 01.08.2001
--> 3rd Album "N/A" (All of Raphael's Singles), 01.08.2001
Photos:
-Coming Soon-