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- | '''Southern All Stars''' is a rock/pop band formed in [[1976]] and fronted by singer-songwriter [[Keisuke | + | '''Southern All Stars''' is a rock/pop band formed in [[1976]] and fronted by singer-songwriter [[Keisuke Kuwata]]. The band's signature sound is Kuwata's distinctive husky voice and unusual singing style. Since releasing their first single [[Katte ni Shindobaddo]] in [[1978]], they have constantly been in the charts and have a fan base of all ages. Southern All Stars have had numerous hits and million-selling singles and their songs have often been covered by other performers. |
- | Keisuke Kuwata was in a band called [[Better Days]] and a student at [[Aoyama Gakuin]] | + | Keisuke Kuwata was in a band called [[Better Days]] and a student at [[Aoyama Gakuin University]] when he met [[Yuko Hara]] (who he married in [[1982]]) and [[Kazuyuki Sekiguchi]]. They were soon joined by guitarist [[Omori Takashi]], drummer [[Matsuda Hiroshi]] and [[Nozawa Hideyuki]] on percussion. |
- | They first played together in public at a local festival in 1976. A friend of Kuwata’s came up with their name after listening to [[Neil | + | They first played together in public at a local festival in 1976. A friend of Kuwata’s came up with their name after listening to [[Neil Young]]’s [[Southern Man]] and then a cut by the [[Fania All Stars]] on the radio. The band were first criticized as a comic band. |
- | Their third single | + | Their third single [[dearly Erie]] (Itoshi no Ellie) became a huge success in [[1979]] and the band continued to release hit records throughout the [[1980]]'s. Their eleventh studio album [[Young Love]] was mastered by [[George Marino]], famous for working on [[Edie Brickell]] and [[New Bohemians]], [[John Lennon]] and [[Yoko Ono]] albums and sold over two million copies. |
- | Kuwata experimented with new musical styles in [[1997]] and there was a decline in the band’s popularity. Success soon returned as in [[1998]], their compilation album [[Umi no Yeah!!]] sold over 3,300,000 copies and is the highest-selling double-album in [[Japan]], | + | Kuwata experimented with new musical styles in [[1997]] and there was a decline in the band’s popularity. Success soon returned as in [[1998]], their compilation album [[Umi no Yeah!!]] sold over 3,300,000 copies and is the highest-selling double-album in [[Japan]], |
- | The band’s 44th single [[Tsunami]] was used as the theme song of [[Mirai Nikki]] III part of the TBS PROGRAM [[Un-nan no Hontoko!]] This single became the third best-selling single in Japan of all time, and won the Japan Record Prize. | + | The band’s 44th single [[Tsunami]] was used as the theme song of [[Mirai Nikki]] III part of the TBS PROGRAM [[Un-nan no Hontoko!]] This single became the third best-selling single in Japan of all time, and won the Japan Record Prize. |
- | Takashi Omori left the band in [[2001]]. Omori and his wife were well known as [[Soka Gakkai adherents]]. This caused rumors about religious problems between himself and other members. In [[2003]], HMV Japan announced Southern All Stars to be the No.1 [[Japanese]] pop artist of all-time. In autumn [[2005]], Southern All Stars started their biggest nationwide concert tour ever, and played to over half a million people in eleven cities. | + | Takashi Omori left the band in [[2001]]. Omori and his wife were well known as [[Soka Gakkai adherents]]. This caused rumors about religious problems between himself and other members. In [[2003]], [[HMV Japan]] announced Southern All Stars to be the No.1 [[Japanese]] pop artist of all-time. In autumn [[2005]], Southern All Stars started their biggest nationwide concert tour ever, and played to over half a million people in eleven cities. |
- | All the members of SAS have embarked on solo or side projects over the years, [[Kuwata]] has performed and recorded both as a solo act and as leader of the Kuwata Band. | + | All the members of SAS have embarked on solo or side projects over the years, [[Kuwata]] has performed and recorded both as a solo act and as leader of the [[Kuwata Band]]. |
== Trivia == | == Trivia == | ||
- | In 1989, Ray Charles sang [[Itoshi no Ellie]] in English as the background music of a Japanese whiskey company TV advertisement. | + | In 1989, Ray Charles sang [[Itoshi no Ellie]] in English as the background music of a Japanese whiskey company TV advertisement. |
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* '''Vocals''': Keisuke Kuwata | * '''Vocals''': Keisuke Kuwata | ||
- | * '''Keyboards''': Yuko Hara | + | * '''Keyboards''': Yuko Hara |
- | * '''Bass''': Kazuyuki Sekiguchi | + | * '''Bass''': Kazuyuki Sekiguchi |
* '''Drums''': Hiroshi Matsuda | * '''Drums''': Hiroshi Matsuda | ||
- | * '''Percussion''': Hideyuki Nozawa | + | * '''Percussion''': Hideyuki Nozawa |
* '''Guitar''': Omori Takashi (left 2001) | * '''Guitar''': Omori Takashi (left 2001) | ||
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- | + | '''Best of Albums''' | |
* Ballads '77- '82 (1982) | * Ballads '77- '82 (1982) | ||
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- | + | '''Videos and DVDs''' | |
* Martial arts mansion concert (1982) | * Martial arts mansion concert (1982) | ||
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* Best Hit USAS (Ultra Southern All Stars) (2005) | * Best Hit USAS (Ultra Southern All Stars) (2005) | ||
* FILM KILLER STREET (Director's Cut) & LIVE at TOKYO DOME (2006) | * FILM KILLER STREET (Director's Cut) & LIVE at TOKYO DOME (2006) | ||
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== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
- | *[http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/sas/ Officical | + | *[http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/sas/ Officical Website] (Japanese) |
[[Category:Japanese Bands]] | [[Category:Japanese Bands]] |
Southern All Stars is a rock/pop band formed in 1976 and fronted by singer-songwriter Keisuke Kuwata. The band's signature sound is Kuwata's distinctive husky voice and unusual singing style. Since releasing their first single Katte ni Shindobaddo in 1978, they have constantly been in the charts and have a fan base of all ages. Southern All Stars have had numerous hits and million-selling singles and their songs have often been covered by other performers.
Keisuke Kuwata was in a band called Better Days and a student at Aoyama Gakuin University when he met Yuko Hara (who he married in 1982) and Kazuyuki Sekiguchi. They were soon joined by guitarist Omori Takashi, drummer Matsuda Hiroshi and Nozawa Hideyuki on percussion.
They first played together in public at a local festival in 1976. A friend of Kuwata’s came up with their name after listening to Neil Young’s Southern Man and then a cut by the Fania All Stars on the radio. The band were first criticized as a comic band.
Their third single dearly Erie (Itoshi no Ellie) became a huge success in 1979 and the band continued to release hit records throughout the 1980's. Their eleventh studio album Young Love was mastered by George Marino, famous for working on Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, John Lennon and Yoko Ono albums and sold over two million copies.
Kuwata experimented with new musical styles in 1997 and there was a decline in the band’s popularity. Success soon returned as in 1998, their compilation album Umi no Yeah!! sold over 3,300,000 copies and is the highest-selling double-album in Japan,
The band’s 44th single Tsunami was used as the theme song of Mirai Nikki III part of the TBS PROGRAM Un-nan no Hontoko! This single became the third best-selling single in Japan of all time, and won the Japan Record Prize.
Takashi Omori left the band in 2001. Omori and his wife were well known as Soka Gakkai adherents. This caused rumors about religious problems between himself and other members. In 2003, HMV Japan announced Southern All Stars to be the No.1 Japanese pop artist of all-time. In autumn 2005, Southern All Stars started their biggest nationwide concert tour ever, and played to over half a million people in eleven cities.
All the members of SAS have embarked on solo or side projects over the years, Kuwata has performed and recorded both as a solo act and as leader of the Kuwata Band.
Contents |
In 1989, Ray Charles sang Itoshi no Ellie in English as the background music of a Japanese whiskey company TV advertisement.
Singles
Albums
Best of Albums
Videos and DVDs