A Japanese blues band. The roots music of contemporary pop.
One of the roots musics, the blues, was born among African peoples who immigrated to America and was brought to Japan via the UK.
The prototype of the blues evolved into jazz and rock, and it has had a major impact on popular music as well.
Its emotionally charged singing is captivating, and in a band setting it comes across even more passionately—especially with the guitar’s wailing, crying phrases!
Given the cultural background, many of Japan’s leading blues bands include members from the Kansai region.
Please enjoy this wellspring of soulful sound—the source that also gave rise to the familiar music we listen to every day.
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Japanese blues band. Roots music of contemporary pop (1–10)
The End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT is a band formed in Tokyo in 1991, whose music incorporates elements of blues rock.
They made their major-label debut in 1996 and were active energetically until their breakup in 2003.
After the breakup, each member has continued performing in various bands.
SharonROSSO
ROSSO is a Japanese rock band formed in 2001, whose music is primarily rooted in garage rock and blues rock.
“Rosso” means “red” in Italian.
After resuming activities in 2004 following a hiatus that began in 2002, they worked actively on songwriting, live performances, and festival appearances, but went on hiatus again in 2006.
HEREMONSTER tairiku
MONSTER Continent is a blues-rock band formed in 2012.
In 2013, they performed at the Fuji Rock Festival and successfully held their first solo headlining show.
They are renowned for their exceptionally high level of musicianship, backed by each member’s extensive session experience.
Japanese blues bands. Roots music of contemporary pop (11–20)
I am the wind.Karumen Maki & OZ
Maki Carmen, who has an American father and a Japanese mother, made her debut in 1969 with “Sometimes Like a Child Without a Mother” at the age of just 17.
The song was a big hit, and she appeared in the 20th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Influenced by Janis Joplin, she shifted from pop enka/kayōkyoku to rock and formed Carmen Maki & OZ in 1972.
Her extraordinary, un-Japanese-like vocal power must have shocked Japan’s music scene at the time.
I miss youBEGIN
BEGIN is an acoustic band formed by three childhood friends from Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture.
They have been active since 1988 and appeared on the then-popular audition show “Yūji’s Ikasu Band Tengoku,” where they became the second Grand Ikaten King.
They made their major debut with this song, which was also used in a Nissan commercial in 1990.
Although they originally played hard rock, they were told they weren’t very good at it, so they shifted to performing blues-style songs.
To my beloved youThe Golden Cups
The Golden Cups were formed in Yokohama in 1966 around Dave Hirao, who served as leader and vocalist.
While the lineup changed over time, along the way the group included artists such as George Yanagi, who also had a successful solo career, and Mickey Yoshino, the leader of Godiego.
They began as the house band at the foreigner-oriented club Golden Cup, and after making their debut with performances brimming with skill, they released numerous classic songs and albums—such as “To My Beloved”—showcasing a distinctive appeal unlike other Group Sounds bands.
Although they disbanded in 1972, they reunited in 2003.
Their music has a rich, somewhat nostalgic charm that conveys a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.
Mary Loukegawa no marīzu
Kegawa no Maries is a band formed in Tokyo in 2003.
They made their major-label debut in 2010 with the album “Kegawa no Maries.” The following year, 2011, they were highly active, performing at 11 outdoor festivals over a single summer.
In September of that year, they announced their breakup, embarked on a final tour, and held their farewell concert at Nippon Budokan.