[1970s] Classic and hit songs of Japanese rock that blazed through the dawn era
When it comes to the era that laid the foundation for Japanese rock music, isn’t it the 1970s? The musicians and bands that emerged during this time had a tremendous impact on later Japanese rock.
Here, we introduce supreme masterpieces that colored the 1970s.
From famous bands everyone knows to musicians known only to the initiated, we’ve picked a wide range—so please find the tracks that suit you.
Now, please sit back and enjoy!
- [1970s] Collection of Japanese hit songs. Nostalgic masterpieces of Japan
- Dawn of Japanese Rock: A Collection of Debut Songs by 1970s Japanese Rock Bands
- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
- Legendary Japanese rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 1960s
- Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1970s: the golden age of idols and kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
- The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
- Debut songs by Japanese male artists from the 1970s
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- [Classic Hits of the 70s] A Compilation of Western Songs Used in Commercials
- A roundup of debut songs by Japanese female artists from the 1970s
- [2026] Cool Japanese Rock Bands: From Rising Talents to Veteran Acts
- So nostalgic it feels new? Showa retro classics that colored Japan’s period of rapid economic growth
[1970s] Classic and Hit Songs of Japanese Rock That Raced Through the Dawn Era (11–20)
HEART’S ON FIREBOWWOW
In the 1970s, several rock bands emerged in Japan that were influenced by music from overseas.
However, most of them were merely influenced by American and British bands and, in terms of ability, fell far short of their international counterparts.
Amid this, the band that earned acclaim with overwhelming skill was BOWWOW, who perform “HEART’S ON FIRE.” Their prime was in the 1980s, and here you can enjoy the fresh, formative sound of BOWWOW before their musical style fully coalesced.
Pick up the gun.zunou keisatsu
Zunou Keisatsu is a band that gained overwhelming popularity for its distinctive musicality born from percussion.
They’re a group known to those in the know.
While they specialize in folk rock and punk rock, their performances are surprisingly heavy, and some songs evoke the vibe of Black Sabbath.
Among their tracks, the one I especially recommend is “Take Up the Gun.” Its energetic riffs and percussion stick in your ears after just one listen.
If you like this band, you’ll probably enjoy the band Ningen Isu as well, so be sure to check them out.
Flowers, Sun, RainPYG
PYG was a band formed by bringing together members of The Tigers, The Tempters, and The Spiders, all representative groups of the Group Sounds era.
Since it was formed by members who already had solid track records as artists, the band showcased a high level of musicality right from the start.
Among PYG’s songs, the one I especially recommend is Hana, Taiyo, Ame (Flower, Sun, Rain).
The quality of the chorus and arrangement is outstanding, and the overall cohesion is simply remarkable.
The Devil and the Eleven ChildrenBurūsu Kurieishon
For some reason, devil worship and black magic became popular in the rock scene in the late 1960s.
And since the music of that era led to later heavy metal, early metal artists inherited those ideas as well.
This track, The Devil and the 11 Children—famous as a classic by Blues Creation—features a richly narrative ensemble that never feels long-winded.
You can really appreciate how skilled the band members are as players.
Incidentally, their no-frills, hard-hitting style influenced bands like Murahachibu in Kansai and Sonhouse in Kyushu, and without a doubt laid the foundation for the golden age of Japanese rock.
Counterfeit YOUShirubā Sutāzu
The band Silver Stars, dressed in unique fashion.
They debuted even earlier than not only BEAT CRUSADERS but also THE TIMERS, and they might just be the original masked band.
One of their signature works is this “Counterfeit Money YOU.” The distinctive intro, which evokes an image of China, grabs you right from the start.
What follows is shaped with an avant-garde vibe reminiscent of David Bowie.
Among Japanese rock of the time, you could say this work stood out as something truly unconventional.
BABYFanī Kanpanī
Funny Company was a band formed mainly by Yasukazu Yokoi and Masahiro Kuwana.
It was a group brought together thanks to Yuya Uchida, and although their active period was only three short years, they made an overwhelming impact.
Back then, when it came to the Japanese rock scene, it was common knowledge: Carol in the East, Funny Company in the West.
Their musical style was classic rock ’n’ roll, but the band’s overall polish—including the vocals—was exceptionally high.
This track, “BABY,” delivers a quintessential rock sound packed with all the appeal that made Funny Company so compelling.
[1970s] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of Japanese Rock That Raced Through the Dawn (21–30)
Yellow Magic CarnivalTin Pan Aree
It’s a band formed by Haruomi Hosono, Shigeru Suzuki, and Masataka Matsutoya.
You can clearly see that many bands from this era later became the pillars that laid the foundation for J-rock and pop.
This band has an extensive track record as a music production team, having performed and produced for artists like Yumi Arai and Ayumi Ishida.
Yellow Magic Carnival is included as the ninth track on the 1975 album Caramel Mama.
Its pop-oriented sound, tinged with an Oriental flavor that evokes Chinatown, matches perfectly with the light, rhyming lyrics.
It can even be considered a forerunner of techno music.