Japanese rock singer and actor Yuya Uchida, who performed as an opening act for the Beatles' concerts in Tokyo in 1966, has died of pneumonia at a Tokyo hospital, his management office said Monday. He was 79.The native of Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, was regarded as a key figure in spreading rock 'n' roll music both as a performer and as a producer of music festivals. As an actor, Uchida appeared in English-language films "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" and "Black Rain."His death on Sunday morning followed the passing away last September of his wife actress Kirin Kiki, who battled with …READ FULL ARTICLE
