We’ve lost a real one today, butt.
Tetsu Yamauchi, the legendary bassist who held down the low-end thunder for Free and later The Faces, has passed away at the age of 79, his family have confirmed. A soft-spoken soul with a groove that could crack pavement, Tetsu never needed the spotlight… because his basslines did all the talking. Proper job.
The family’s message was simple and heartbreaking:
“You will be missed.”
And they’re right — the rock world feels a little emptier tonight.
🎸 THE QUIET FORCE BEHIND THE CHAOS
Tetsu stepped into some massive shoes during both eras, taking over after the departures of Andy Fraser in Free and Ronnie Lane in The Faces. Instead of trying to outshine anyone, he brought something else entirely: a melodic, rolling bass presence that steadied bands famous for their wild spirit. The man was a lighthouse in a hurricane of riffs, whisky, and rock ’n’ roll carnage.
🌏 A GLOBAL ROCK STORY
A Japanese bassist becoming the rhythmic heart of two British rock institutions in the 70s? That’s the kind of tale music historians drool over. Tetsu proved that rock isn’t a place — it’s a pulse — and he carried it with elegance.
🎶 THE GROOVES HE LEAVES BEHIND
Tracks like “Wishing Well” and his live work with The Faces still shake the guts of anyone who cranks them loud enough. His legacy is carved in those warm, wandering basslines and the thousands of musicians who nicked ideas from him without even realising.
🕯 REST EASY, TETSU
You brought groove to chaos. You kept the bands steady when everything else around them was going up in flames. You left the rock world richer than you found it.
Raise a glass tonight, mun.
Turn up the bass.
Remember a legend who never needed to shout to be heard. 🎸❤️
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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