Casey Rankin

**Casey Rankin** was an American musician and composer who became a prominent figure in Japan’s music scene after relocating there in 1971. Born in Kansas on July 10, 1946, he initially gained traction in the U.S. with his band TRUK, releasing the album *Plastic People* in 1967 before shifting to studio work and Zen studies in Japan. By the late 1970s, he formed bands like SHORT HOPE and SHOGUN, pioneering domestic success for non-Japanese acts with Polydor/Kitty Records releases. His work spanned TV themes, anime soundtracks (notably *Super Dimension Century Orguss*), and socially conscious tracks like *Has Everyone Gone Blind*, adopted by a UN-affiliated foundation in 1995. Rankin’s catalog blends rock, pop, and introspective lyricism, with remastered tracks like *The Reality of Dreams* and *Life In The Sky* reflecting his enduring influence until his passing on January 2, 2009.