Southern All Stars (サザンオールスターズ, Sazan Ōru Sutāzu^?) is a Japanese pop rock band formed in Kanagawa, fronted by lead singer and singer-songwriter Keisuke Kuwata. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県; Kanagawa-ken) is a geographic and political area located in the Kanto region on Honshu island, Japan. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For popular forms of music in general, see Popular music. ... For other uses, see Rock music (disambiguation). ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Victor Entertainment ) is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company (JVC) that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. ... Keisuke Kuwata , born February 26, 1956) is a Japanese musician from Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. ... Kazuyuki Sekiguchi (関口和之 Sekiguchi Kazuyuki; b. ... Yuko Hara (原由子 Hara YÅ«ko, b. ... Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県; Kanagawa-ken) is a geographic and political area located in the Kanto region on Honshu island, Japan. ... Keisuke Kuwata , born February 26, 1956) is a Japanese musician from Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. ...

Since their debut in 1978, they have produced numerous Oricon top 3 hits and million-selling singles, such as "Itoshi no Ellie"(1979), "Chako no Kaigan Monogatari"(1982), "Namida no Kiss"(1992), "Erotica Seven"(1993), "Summer Heartbreak"(1995), "Spiritual Message"(1996) and others. "Tsunami"(2000) is the third best-selling single in Japan.^[1][2] Oricon ), also known as Oricon Style, is a Japanese company which provides music industry-related information. ... Japan has the second largest music market in the world. ...

Their songs have often made successful cover versions by other performers. The cover version of "Natsu o Akiramete" by Naoko Ken is well-known as one of her hit singles. In 1989, Ray Charles sang "Itoshi no Ellie" in English as the background music of a Japanese whiskey company TV advertisement. It was released as a Japan-only bonus track for his 1990 album Would You Believe? and also became a single, reached top 3 on the Japanese charts and became the top-selling single by a non-Japanese artist released in that year.^[3]In early 1990s, Chinese singer Jacky Cheung covered their song "Manatsu no Kajitsu" as "Loving You More Each Day", and it was an enormous succ'ess in several Asian countries. Ken Naoko (研ナオコ; real name Noguchi Nawoko (野口なを子; maiden surname 浅田) on 7 July 1953 in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actress and singer. ... Ray Charles was the stage name of Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), a pioneering American pianist and soul musician who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues. ... Would You Believe is a song by Roxy Music. ... Jacky Cheung Hok Yau (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; born July 10, 1961 in Hong Kong with family roots in Tianjin) is a Hong Kong singer and film star from the mid-1980s to the present. ...

History

Early years

Around 1975, prototype of the band comprising Aoyama Gakuin University's students who belonged to the popular music club "Better Days", was formed by Keisuke Kuwata. In early days, the band changed the name frequently, such as "Onsen Anma Momohiki Band", "Piston Kuwata and the Cylinders", and "Keisuke Kuwata and the Hitchcock Gekijou". Finally, when a keyboardist Yuko Hara joined the group, they determined the band's name. Its name was named after the "Fania All-Stars" and "southern rock" by Kuwata's friend. Fania All-Stars was a salsa group established in 1968 by Johnny Pacheco as a showcase for the leading musicians and singers of the record label Fania Records, the leading salsa record company of the time. ... Southern rock is a sub genre of rock music. ...

After the several change of the members, they tried to "Yamaha EastWest '77", the contest of amateur musicians by Yamaha Music Foundation. In this contest, Kuwata won a prize of the "best vocalist". When the band participated in this contest, Hiroshi Matsuda and Hideyuki Nozawa, two members who were not Aoyama Gakuin's students joined them, and all the members of the group assembled. Yamaha Music Foundation is an organization established by the authority of Japanese Ministry of Education for the purpose of promoting music education and music popularization. ...

On July 25, 1978, their debut single "Katte ni Sindbad" was released from Victor Entertainment. Its title was named after two hit songs in Japan in 1977, "Katte ni Shiyagare" by Kenji Sawada and "Nagisa no Sindbad" by Pink Lady (In addition, the released date of their debut single was Sawada's 29th birthday). The song featured impressive Kuwata's coarse-grained vocals like a tongue twister. To promote their first single, they appeared lots of TV programs. Weird costume they dressed in and eccentric performance gave the listeners unforgettable impact. A single climbed hit parade gradually, and it peaked at #3 on the Japan's oricon singles chart in autumn of same year. is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... // Biography The early years Kenji Sawada was the young lead singer of Japans best-known pop music act of the Group Sounds era in the late 1960s, a band called The Tigers. ... Pink Lady was a Japanese female pop music duo of the late 1970s and early 1980s, featuring Mitsuyo Nemoto (Mie) and Keiko Masuda (Kei). In Japan, they are fondly remembered for the incredible run of pop-chart hits they enjoyed from roughly 1976 to 1979, but in the United States... Oricon ), also known as Oricon Style, is a Japanese company which provides music industry-related information. ...

On account of sales promotion of "Katte ni Sindbad" and a next single "Kibun Shidai de Semenaide", they were considered performers who play novelty song. However, "Itoshi no Ellie", their third single released on March 25, 1979, was a sufficient material to overthrow their comedic public image. This pop-ballad was highly evaluated by many Japanese music critics and artists, including Hiroshi Miyagawa and Kosetsu Minami. "Itoshi no Ellie" is regarded as a one of notable song of the Southern All Stars. In 1988, cover version by Ray Charles featured in the TV ad of Suntory Limited. It was released as a single in Japan only, and reached #3 on oricon. .^[4]The cover version by Charles became best-selling single performed by Western artist in there of 1989. A novelty song is a usually intentionally humorous song, usually in published or recorded form. ... Ray Charles was the stage name of Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), a pioneering American pianist and soul musician who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues. ... Suntory Limited ) is a Japanese brewing and distilling company. ...

Two months after the Southern All Stars released their debut single, their first album called Atsui Munasawagi was came into the market. The band were not able to devote ample time to recordings and songwritings for 10 Numbers Carat, their second album which featured their breakthrough ballad "Itoshi no Ellie" and was released in only eight months later from their debut album. Kuwata's angry look on the album cover indicated such a his exhausted feelings. Hence, this leader of the band wasn't satisfied with quality of the album, and has stated the album was "trash".

The first half of 1980s

In 1980, they started serial project called "Five Rock Show", and released five singles every month. Due to the shortage of sales promotion, any single succeeded moderately. Though, thanks to the success of their early singles in the late '70s, they had built up stable and high popularity on the album chart in Japan. From Tiny Bubbles, their third album released in 1980, all their studio albums has reached #1. That album featured two songs vocalized by instrumentalists, Yuko Hara's "Watashi wa Piano" and Matsuda's "Matsuda no Komoriuta". The former was covered by girl-pop singer Mizue Takada in same year, and became top-ten hit. Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

On January 24, 1982, they released a single "Chako no Kaigan Monogatari". Kuwata intended commercial success, and wrote this song in typical Japanese "Kayokyoku" style. In addition, as a vocalist, he imitated lisping vocalization of Toshihiko Tahara, one of the most popular Japanese male idol singer at that time. Such popular expression received generally favorable reaction among public, and became the band's successful single since "Itoshi no Ellie". Following the success of a single, their fifth studio album Nude Man succeeded bigger than ever. The album reached #3 on oricon Year-End chart of 1982, and later became that year's best-selling album. One of the highlights of Nude Man, "Natsu o Akiramete" was recorded by distinguished comedienne and singer Naoko Ken in same year. Her cover version was sold 300,000 copies, and became one of her most successful works as a singer. Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... A comedian (also comedienne, female) is a person who attempts to make people laugh through a variety of methods, normally through joke telling. ... A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. ... Ken Naoko (研ナオコ; real name Noguchi Nawoko (野口なを子; maiden surname 浅田) on 7 July 1953 in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actress and singer. ...

After the hit of "Chako no Monogatari", Kuwata was married to Hara on his 26th birthday. They invited their fans for their wedding ceremony.

Through the Southern All Stars' entire career, Kuwata have featured extremely erotic expressions in numerous of his self-written songs and the band's sales promotions. "I Love You wa Hitorigoto", Kuwata composition released as a Hara's first solo single in 1981, was banned due to nasty lyrics including the term "motel". Cover of the band's 1983 single "Body Special II" was featured breast of topless woman. Such a frank expression on the Kuwata and his band's materials have been continuing to date.

In 1983 and 1984, two albums Kirei and Ninkimono de Ikou were released. Both of these albums featured mainly adult-oriented rock rendition songs. On account of "Miss Brand-New Day", successful single and one of the highlights on Ninkimono de Ikou, the band built up definite reputation gradually on the changeable Japanese music industry. Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ...

In 1985, the band released double studio album Kamakura, which is now considered one of the Southern All Stars' finest albums. To promote this blockbuster material, extensive advertisement including impressive TV commercial starred by distinguished comedian Sanma Akashiya was enforced. Such a large-scale promotion brought about rumour that the band may break up. In fact, on the way of recording, conflict came about between the Kuwata and Sekiguchi. It is said that they devoted over 1,800 hours for recording of this album. Its process was not always going smoothly, but the product provided the group with great success as a result. The album was highly appraised from both critics and listeners, and leader was very satisfied with such a favorable reaction. In addition, keyboardist had conceived his child in same year, so he suspended the group's career temporarily. Around 1986, he began work on solo projects including "Kuwata Band", and the other members had also begun their own various projects. Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Sanma Akashiya (明石家さんま Akashiya Sanma, born July 3, 1955 in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, raised up in Nara) is a Japanese TV comedian and actor. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ...

Works with Takeshi Kobayashi

"Kanashii Kimochi (Just a Man in Love)", Keisuke Kuwata's successful solo debut single released in 1987 was produced and arranged by Takeshi Kobayashi. Kobayashi started his career in the late '70s, and appeared in works of numerous Japanese musicians, including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yosui Inoue, Taeko Onuki, Hiroshi Takano and Kenji Omori. Through the recording of solo materials, Kuwata recognized Kobayashi's abundant and practical ability, and decided to continue this strong combination for his career. In the late 1980s and the early 1990s, Kobayashi participated in many materials around the Southern All Stars. Kuwata highly appraised Kobayashi's capability as a partner. He joked on his band's live performance, "Even if he is unwilling to join my project, I'll force him to involve my career!". Ryuichi Sakamoto at his New York City studio September 2003 Ryuichi Sakamoto (坂本 龍一 Sakamoto Ryūichi, born January 17, 1952, Nakano, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese musician, composer, producer and actor. ... Yosui Inoue(ja:井上陽水, born Akimi Inoue on August 30, 1948 in Tagawa, Fukuoka) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. ... Hiroshi Takano ) (born December 14, 1964) is a Japanese singer, composer, lyricist, music arranger, guitarist and producer. ...

On June 25, 1988, ten years after the Southern All Stars debuted, they returned to Japanese music industry, with a single "Minna no Uta" produced by Kobayashi. Their 1989 single "Sayonara Baby" reached to the top on the oricon's single chart, and it became the first #1 hit on that chart for the band. In same year, 4-CDs box-set compilation entitled Suika was released. Regardless of voluminous contains, the album peaked at #1 and sold more than 300,000 units. Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ...

1990s

In the 1990s, Japanese music industries prospered than any other decades. Southern All Stars continued commercial success, and remained as one of the middle-of-the-road groups of Japanese popular music in the entire of '90s.

In 1990, Kuwata directed the film called Inamura Jane. The movie was not able to receive positive reaction, but its music was highly succeeded. Its soundtrack album, performer was credited to "Southern All Stars and All Stars", reached #1 on Japanese chart and sold over million copies. Finally it became the best-selling soundtrack album in Japan. "Manatsu no Kajitsu", a song written by Kuwata for his own film was released as a lead single from the album, and climbed top-five on the chart. In 1991, Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung covered this song in Chinese, and fulfilled huge commercial success in several Asian countries. Now, this romantic pop ballad is considered as one of their fan favorites. This soundtrack have included another highlight "Kibou no Wadachi". Regardless of appeared in the album only, the song is well-known as one of the Southern All Stars' significant songs. Jacky Cheung Hok Yau (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; born July 10, 1961 in Hong Kong with family roots in Tianjin) is a Hong Kong singer and film star from the mid-1980s to the present. ...

Kuwata and his band also released self-titled studio album in 1990. Following the previous O.S.T. album, it became million-seller.

In 1991, Kazuyuki Sekiguchi left the band temporarily to overcome his health problem until 1995. In nexxt year, the remainders released two singles "Shulaba-La-Bamba" and "Namida no Kiss" on same day. The latter marked the top of the Oricon singles chart for 7 weeks and sold more than 1.5 million copies. It was their first million-selling single, and finally reached #5 on the Japanese Year-End singles chart of 1992. Two months later from the release of those succesful singles, their tenth studio album entitled Yo ni Man'yō no Hana ga Sakunari was released. At first, Kuwata planned to release it as double album, but finally decided to omit some of the recordings, including 1991 #1 hit single "Neo Bravo!!". The album has also succeeded as ever, and sold nearly 1,800,000 copies.

In 1993, the remixed EP Enoshima was released under the credit of pseudonym project named "Z-Dan". It sold more than 900,000 copies, and won the 8th The Japan Gold Disc Award's "Compilation Album of the Year" prize. In same year, the band released the second million-selling single "Erotica Seven". Strong partnership between Kuwata and Kobayashi was ended in the band's holiday song released as a single "Christmas Love" in autumn of that year. However, the two have collaborated from time to time after the temporary parting, such as Kuwata and the Mr. Children's successful charity single "Kiseki no Hoshi" released in 1995.

In entire 1994, the leader worked as a solo artist again. Hence, the band released no brand-new materials. After the blank of a year, Southern All Stars restarted their career with "Mampy no G-Spot", the obscene song released as a single only. From this single, Sekiguchi who had left the band since 1991 appeared again. "Anatadake o -Summer Heartbreak-", the other song released in 1995 provided the group with their 3rd million-seller single. In later, Kuwata mentioned that "Summer Heartbreak" is one of his favorites. In next year, the Southern All Stars released two singles "Ai no Kotodama -Spiritual Message-" and "Taiyo wa Tsumi na Yatsu", and the former sold over million copies. Young Love, their 11th album featured successful singles including two million-sellers, was sold more than 2.5 million copies and became one of the best-selling albums of 1996. It have remained as the band's most successful studio album to date. Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ...

Enormous hit "Tsunami" and Omori's independence

On January 26, 2000, their 44th single, "Tsunami" was released. It was used as theme song of "Mirai Nikki III"; a popular part of the TBS program called Un-nan no Hontoko!, and made a strong impression on many people.^{[attribution needed]} Including another issue, this single sold about 2,930,000 copies. It is the third best-selling single in Japan all the time. On New Year's Eve of 2000, "Tsunami" won the 42nd Japan Record Prize. After the enormous success of the single, the works of the band became more conservative. They released several singles and all of them became hits. is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... New Years Eve is December 31, the final day of the Gregorian year, and the day before New Years Day. ...

After the concert tour in 2000, Takashi Omori announced a stop in work and he left from the band in August of 2001. Omori and his wife were well known as pious and influential Soka Gakkai adherents.^[5] Therefore, this caused various rumors about religious problems between himself and other members among mass media and many fans^[6]. 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Soka Gakkai International or SGI is the umbrella organization for affiliate lay organizations in over 190 countries practicing a form of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. ...

In early 2000s, each member had played an active part in their own works. Particularly, Kuwata produced three million-selling records and one album around 2001 and 2002. The 2000s are the current decade, spanning from 2000 to 2009. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

Recent years

In October of 2006, their latest double-album Killer Street was released. This album has already sold over million sets. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Discography

Main article: Southern All Stars discography The following lists detail the discography of Southern All Stars. ...

Number one singles

Following songs reached the top of oricon weekly singles chart.

• Katte ni Sindbad" (勝手にシンドバッド, Katte ni Sindbad"^?) / "Atatte Kudakero (当って砕けろ, Atatte Kudakero^?)" (re-issue, 2003)
• "Sayonara Baby (さよならベイビー, Sayonara Baby^?)" / "Kamakura Monogatari (鎌倉物語, Kamakura Monogatari^?) [Live at Yokohama Studium]" (1989)
• "Neo Bravo!! (ネオ・ブラボー!!, Neo Bravo!!^?)" / "Tsumetai Natsu (冷たい夏, Tsumetai Natsu^?)" (1991)
• "Namida no Kiss (涙のキッス, Namida no Kiss^?)" / "Holiday -Thriller Ma no Kyujitsu yori (ホリデイ ～スリラー「魔の休日」より, Holiday -Thriller Ma no Kyujitsu yori^?)" (1992)
• "Erotica Seven (エロティカ・セブン, Erotica Seven^?)" / "Kugatsu no Kaze (9月の風, Kugatsu no Kaze^?)" (1992)
• "Anatadake o (あなただけを, Anatadake o^?) -Summer Heartbreak-" / "Love Korea" (1995)
• "Ai no Kotodama (愛の言霊, Ai no Kotodama^?) -Spiritual Message-" / "Koi no Jack Knife (恋のジャック・ナイフ, Koi no Jack Knife^?)" (1996)
• "Tsunami"/ "Tōryanse (通りゃんせ, Tōryanse^?)" (2000)
• "Namida no Umi de Dakaretai (涙の海で抱かれたい, Namida no Umi de Dakaretai^?) -Sea of Love-" / "Ameagari ni Mouichido Kiss o Shite (雨上がりにもう一度キスをして, Ameagari ni Mouichido Kiss o Shite^?)" / "Oh! Fresh!! Dokudami Spark no Theme (ドクダミ･スパークのテーマ, Dokudami Spark no Theme^?)" / "Koibito wa Minamikaze (恋人は南風, Koibito wa Minamikaze^?)" / "Keiken Second (経験 II, Keiken Second^?)" (2003)
• "Aya: Aja (彩～Aja, Aya: Aja^?)" / "Friends" / "Yume Miru Anniversary (, 夢見るアニバーサリー^?)" (2004)
• "Kimi koso Star da (君こそスターだ, Kimi koso Star da^?)" / "Yume ni Kieta Julia (夢に消えたジュリア, Yume ni Kieta Julia^?)" (2004)
• "Ai to Yokubou no Hibi (愛と欲望の日々, Ai to Yokubou no Hibi^?)" / "Lonely Woman" (2004)
• "Dirty Old Man Saraba Natsu yo (-さらば夏よ-, Saraba Natsu yo^?)" / "Breeze" / "Taiyō ni Hoeru (太陽に吠える!!, Taiyō ni Hoeru^?)" (2005)

Number one albums

Following albums reached the top of oricon weekly albums chart.

• Tiny Bubbles (1980)
• Stereo Taiyōzoku (ステレオ太陽族, Stereo Taiyōzoku^?) (1981)
• Nude Man (1982)
• Ballade '77-'82 (バラッド '77-'82, Ballade '77-'82^?) (compilation, 1982)
• Kirei (綺麗, Kirei^?) (1983)
• Ninkimono de Ikou (人気者で行こう, Ninkimono de Ikou^?) (1984)
• Kamakura (1985)
• BALLADE 2 '83-'86 (compilation, 1986)
• Suika (すいか, Suika^?) Southern All Stars Special 61 Songs (box-set compilation, 1989)
• Southern All Stars (1990)
• Inamura Jane (稲村ジェーン, Inamura Jane^?) (soundtrack for the same-titled film released as "Southern All Stars and All Stars", 1990)
• Yo ni Man'yō no Hana ga Saku Nari (世に万葉の花が咲くなり, Yo ni Man'yō no Hana ga Saku Nari^?) (1992)
• Happy (box-set compilation, 1995)
• Young Love (1996)
• Umi no Yeah!! (海のYeah!!, Umi no Yeah!!^?) (compilation, 1998)
• Sakura (さくら, Sakura^?) (1998)
• Ballade 3 (バラッド3, Ballade 3^?) the album of LOVE (compilation, 2000)
• Killer Street (2005)

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ [2]
3. ^ 10 best-selling singles by non-Japanese Artist in 1989
4. ^ 10 best-selling singles by non-Japanese Artist in 1989
5. ^ [3]
6. ^ [4]

External Links

• STANDOOH! AREEENA!! C'MOOOON!!! Official site (Japanese)
• sas-fan.net Southern All Stars Portal Web Site (Japanese)
• Official site of the Southern All Stars' Fanclub (Japanese)
• BEAT CLUB (Official Site of Hiroshi Matsuda, Japanese)
• Yunomi? (Official Site of Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, Japanese)
• KEGANI-DREAM (Official Site of Hideyuki "Kegani" Nozawa, Japanese)
• Nippop Profile | Southern All Stars