![PlayStation Logo Sound](https://images.pushsquare.com/6d7a56a8b0bfd/playstation-logo-sound.900x.jpg)
Sometimes a particular sound or musical jingle becomes so synonymous with a brand or product that you don't even think about its origins. For most people, we would assume that's the case with the electronic note that has accompanied PlayStation logos since the days of the PS1.
If you don't quite know what we're on about, here's a selection of examples:
Sadly, the reason we're writing this article is because the musician behind that iconic note, Tohru Okada, has passed away at the age of 73.
Okada was prolific in his field, and had been writing, performing, and producing all kinds of music for decades. He's perhaps most commonly associated with innovative Japanese band Moonriders, which he co-founded back in 1975.
The PlayStation sound may just be one note — a drop in the ocean of Okada's storied discography — but it's something that's helped define the brand's identity since its inception. The PlayStation we know today wouldn't exist in quite the same way without Okada's input.
Our thoughts are with Okada's family and friends.
[source twitter.com, via twitter.com, timeextension.com]
Comments 20
Genuinely iconic. RIP.
Oh no! RIP!
When I finished that PS1 themed section in Astro's Playroom and you're standing in front of those CRT TVs and they suddenly play that iconic PS1 boot-up screen, it was a storm of nostalgia. R.I.P.
This sound is not 'iconic' to be precise. The boot-up sounds of PS1 and PS2 are iconic, but they were created by someone else, that is Takafumi Fujisawa.
I'm not crying, you're crying.
That's a downer for VR2 Day. Especially after spending weeks watching a million trailers, hearing it over and over again.
@Janusz It's pretty iconic, used in every single trailer, commercial, and SoP.
@dschons the ps2 section was amazing too , so much chill down my spine like a bursting pipe ! unfortunately the ps3s was kinda weird
rip okada, 73 is too early and gone too soon
everything that is iconic about playstation is japanese made. curiously, playstation no longer has anything to do with japan. maybe its a sign of whats to come. RIP
@Janusz you are correct about Takafumi Fujisawa. I looked it up online and pretty much every article talks about him creating the sound. It is pretty iconic, though, no matter who created it.
@Janusz I get what you’re going for, but I gotta tell ya, if I have my eyes closed and hear that sound, I know exactly what it is. I bet a lot of other people do, too. Seems pretty iconic to me, and doesn’t make the startup music for those consoles any less iconic, either.
@Irae really wanted to insinuate that but felt it wasn’t appropriate ; thanks for bringing this up though !
it was jim ry- uh, never mind …
Guess I’m listening to a bunch of Moonriders today. RIP.
Hes been dead since February 14.valentine day.its crazy.the PlayStation logo.sound.intro etc are legendary.been a fan of PlayStation since day 1 in September 9 1995.r.i.p. To a legend and a legendary career.tohru okada.word up son
Hid legend lived on.. my son loves the room in astro bot ps5 where the TVs are all piled up then turn on and the psx intro plays. Calls it the 'tv room with the diamond'.. and it's kind of a big deal.
@Sequel You can tell by that alone he's a good boy, lol.
Ah....I too assumed this was about the epic, sonorous, boot jingle of PS1.
Best console startup sound ever.
Such a sad loss to the world, especially the gaming community. Rest in peace 💙💙💙
@Gamer_Guy I did too actually. Didn't fully read the article this morning
RIP Tohru, you will be missed.
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