A classic Group Sounds song. A nostalgic GS hit.

Ballad of the RainZa Suingu Uesuto

The Swing West / Rain Ballad (1968)

The Swing West was a group that shifted its style over time—from a rockabilly band to an electric band, and then to a Group Sounds act.

“Ame no Ballad” was a B-side track and didn’t gain much popularity.

After the group disbanded, vocalist Masayuki Yuhara remade the song, and it became a huge hit, which led people to reevaluate the song’s quality.

SunflowerTerauchi Takeshi & Banīzu

R.I.P. The Bunnys — Taiyo no Hana (1968) [Sun Flower / Flower of the Sun]

Of course, it features the electric guitar of Takashi Terauchi, one of Japan’s leading guitarists, and even among the fast-tempo numbers, the vocal harmonies are wonderful.

While working in music and overcoming many hardships, Takashi Terauchi was the person who formed Japan’s first electric band.

He even brought his own blueprints to Yamaha and had them develop an electric piano.

Graduation seasonZa Bureizu

The Blaze: Graduation Season — Japanese Group Sounds

The Braves were a band that debuted under Philips Records.

They released two records and had no hit songs, but many people liked their youth-oriented kayō-style sound.

“Sotsugyō no Kisetsu” also gives the impression of being a student-focused song, composed by Kyōhei Tsutsumi.

To You in the Starry SkyFō Nain Ēsu

Four Nine Ace: The Starry Sky to You

They were a Group Sounds band that debuted in 1967 and, as part of their training, centered their activities at a jazz café in Sendai.

At first, they belonged to Takeshi Terauchi’s agency and made their debut from there, but later became independent.

Even so, there were frequent member changes, and their songs didn’t achieve much success.

One of the members was Joe Yamanaka, who later sang “Proof of the Man (Theme),” but even for a group with capable musicians, only a handful of songs sold well among the many GS bands—said to number around 100 at the time.

Oh, beaverokkusu

Ox OX / O. Beaver (1968)

Debuting in 1968 with “Girlfriend,” The Ox quickly shot to fame, but even before their debut, while they were active mainly in Osaka, their intense onstage performances drew attention in a negative way as a so-called “fainting band.” In that era, within the Group Sounds scene, long hair and electric guitars were seen as the beginning of delinquency, and public perception was poor enough that they sometimes couldn’t even secure venues.

Their biggest hit was “Tears of a Swan,” and I remember vocalist Hideto Noguchi being especially popular.

He had a husky voice and a somewhat reserved image, and perhaps that contrast is what appealed to fans.

A world without youZa Bībāzu

A world without you

A masterpiece woven from a psychedelic rock sound and a wistful melody, this is The Beavers’ second single, released in November 1967.

Its heartrending tune vividly portrays the pain of a broken heart.

Showcasing beautifully balanced twin vocals and the twin-guitar virtuosity of Hideki Ishima and Masayuki Hirai, the track reached No.

57 on the Oricon chart.

The band also appeared on the TV program “Young 720” that same year.

It’s a song to play on nights when you want to soothe a love-broken heart, or on a quiet afternoon when you’re nostalgic for your youth.

Blind BirdZa Moppusu

Blind Bird

This is the debut work released in November 1967 by The Mops, known as pioneers of the psychedelic movement during the tumultuous 1960s.

Its innovative arrangement—melding heavy guitar riffs with a dreamlike sound—shocked Japan’s music scene at the time.

Drawing attention for performances featuring outlandish costumes and light shows, this piece was also included on the album “Psychedelic Sound in Japan,” spawning numerous legends.

With the April 2014 release of the complete edition “Psychedelic Sound in Japan +2,” it became available on CD, prompting a renewed appreciation of its innovation.

It’s a must-listen for those who want to explore new musical possibilities or who are interested in the history of Japanese rock.