[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!
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[1970s] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of Japanese Rock That Raced Through the Dawn (21–30)
SATORI PART2FLOWER TRAVELLIN’ BAND
It was a band formed under the production of Yuya Uchida, featuring musicians closely associated with him.
All the lyrics were in English, and the music was characterized by a strong oriental flavor.
They also had a period when they were based in Canada, and David Bowie is said to have held the band in high regard.
SATORI PART 2 is the second track on their second album, released in 1971.
English lyrics flow smoothly over an Eastern-style melody reminiscent of Indian music.
This song, too, can truly be called a masterpiece with a sensibility that feels distinctly un-Japanese.
Double Dealing Womanmurasaki
This is a band from Okinawa that was formed before the islands were returned to Japan.
In the 1960s, while the Vietnam War was still ongoing, they honed their skills by performing at the many clubs that catered to American soldiers.
Double Dealing Woman is the first track on Murasaki’s debut album, Murasaki, released in 1976.
Its hard yet driving sound pairs perfectly with the native-sounding English lyrics, and it makes sense that they weren’t regarded as a Japanese band at the time.
[1970s] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of Japanese Rock That Raced Through the Dawn Era (31–40)
That girl’s window lightSENTIMENTAL CITY ROMANCE
At a time when folk was mainstream, they drew attention in the music industry as a band performing the West Coast sound.
There’s even an anecdote that their first album was produced with Haruomi Hosono serving as an advisor.
“Ano Ko no Madoakari” (That Girl’s Window Light) is the third track on their first album, Sentimental City Romance, released in 1975.
It’s a melancholic yet unsentimental rock ballad that evokes the night breeze of the West Coast.
triggertsuisuto
Twist is a band that could fairly be said to have built Japanese hard rock.
It’s Masanori Sera’s band.
Twist was hugely active from the late 1970s into the 1980s.
While their appeal certainly lay in their musicality, what was most striking was Masanori Sera’s overwhelming vocal power.
Perhaps because he listened deeply to Black music, his singing was on a completely different level from other bands’ vocalists.
Gun no Tsumoto (Jūmonji) is one of Twist’s signature songs—a hard rock number still widely used across many media today.
Ramblin’ Ridermentanpin
They were a band known as the Japanese Grateful Dead.
Their lineup—unusual for the time—featured twin drums, twin lead guitars, plus vocals and bass.
Ramblin’ Rider is one of Mentanpin’s early singles; its exhilarating, fast-paced performance still feels fresh today and delivers a truly invigorating rush.
It is included as a bonus track on the 2014 reissue of the album “MENTANPIN SECOND +1.”
Yoko of the Port, Yokohama, YokosukaDOWN TOWN BOOGIE WOOGIE BAND
It was the band that featured Ryudo Uzaki, who later went on to great success as a composer.
The band’s name was reportedly coined by Uzaki as a deliberately long name to rival the Sadistic Mika Band.
“Minato no Yoko, Yokohama, Yokosuka” was their fourth single, released in 1975.
It became a million-seller and was famous enough to earn them their first appearance on that year’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.
In fact, it originally started out as the B-side.
Hell’s AngelsLAZY
In the 1970s, idol bands were all the rage.
However, because they were “idols,” there was a prevailing notion that they lacked real ability.
Amid that era, there was one idol band people said was different: Lazy.
The band’s vocalist was Hironobu Kageyama, a singer synonymous with anime songs who is now active worldwide as a member of JAM Project.
Their track Hell’s Angel lets you fully experience his overwhelming vocal prowess; it’s one of Lazy’s harder numbers, so if you want to check out a truly skilled idol band, this is a must-listen!