RC Succession
Encyclopedia
RC Succession was an influential Japan
ese rock
band fronted by singer-songwriter
Kiyoshiro Imawano
.
In 1970, RC Succession made its debut as an acoustic trio of Kiyoshiro Imawano
(vo., gt.), Wassho Rinko (another name for Kazuo Kobayashi) (b.) and Kenchi Haren (gt.). After guitarist Reichi Nakaido
joined the band in 1979 replacing Haren, their popularity grew as they strengthened their rock and roll sound. Since then, they released series of milestone numbers including "Ameagari no Yozora Ni" (1980) and "Transistor Radio" (1980).
In 1988, the band recorded an album consisting of cover versions of rock and pop standards (with original Japanese lyrics) aptly named Covers. It was originally intended for a release from the band's record company Toshiba EMI, however, the release was suddenly canceled with small notice by Toshiba EMI on newspapers claiming "The album was too wonderful to be released." Two months later in August, 1988, it was released by Kitty Records. Kiyoshiro revealed that there had been pressure from Toshiba to remove some of the anti-war
and anti-nuclear
songs from the album. Ironically, the album gained wide attention due to the incident, and debuted at number one of the Oricon album chart.
The members Gee2Woo (keyboards) and Kozo Niida (drums) left the band in 1990. The remaining members Kiyoshiro, Nakaido, and Kazuo Kobayashi (bass) with some supporting musicians released the album Baby a Go-Go that year, but the band later announced that they would stop performing. The last concert was given at Nippon Budokan
on December 25, 1990.
After they stop performing, Kiyoshiro and Nakaido continued as solo artists, while other members (Kobayashi, Niida, and Gee2Woo) resumed their careers as session players. While the band never played together again, Kiyoshiro and Nakaido kept close relationships and collaborated from time to time, including the 1994 album Glad All Over which was credited to Kiyoshiro Imawano & Reichi Nakaido.
Kiyoshiro died of cancer on May 2, 2009.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band fronted by singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Kiyoshiro Imawano
Kiyoshiro Imawano
, born , was a Japanese rock musician, lyricist, composer, musical producer, and actor from Tokyo, Japan. He was dubbed "Japan's King of Rock". He formed and led an influential rock band RC Succession....
.
History
In 1966, Kiyoshiro formed a band named the Clover with Kenchi Haren. This band broke up the following year, however, the remaining members added some new members and called it the Remainders of the Clover. This band changed members again the following year, and this time they were renamed to The Remainders of the Clover Succession. The name was shortened and the band RC Succession was born.In 1970, RC Succession made its debut as an acoustic trio of Kiyoshiro Imawano
Kiyoshiro Imawano
, born , was a Japanese rock musician, lyricist, composer, musical producer, and actor from Tokyo, Japan. He was dubbed "Japan's King of Rock". He formed and led an influential rock band RC Succession....
(vo., gt.), Wassho Rinko (another name for Kazuo Kobayashi) (b.) and Kenchi Haren (gt.). After guitarist Reichi Nakaido
Reichi Nakaido
, born , is a Japanese guitarist and singer best known for his association with influential rock band RC Succession.- Biography :Nakaido was born in Shinjuku, Tokyo in 1950....
joined the band in 1979 replacing Haren, their popularity grew as they strengthened their rock and roll sound. Since then, they released series of milestone numbers including "Ameagari no Yozora Ni" (1980) and "Transistor Radio" (1980).
In 1988, the band recorded an album consisting of cover versions of rock and pop standards (with original Japanese lyrics) aptly named Covers. It was originally intended for a release from the band's record company Toshiba EMI, however, the release was suddenly canceled with small notice by Toshiba EMI on newspapers claiming "The album was too wonderful to be released." Two months later in August, 1988, it was released by Kitty Records. Kiyoshiro revealed that there had been pressure from Toshiba to remove some of the anti-war
Anti-war
An anti-war movement is a social movement, usually in opposition to a particular nation's decision to start or carry on an armed conflict, unconditional of a maybe-existing just cause. The term can also refer to pacifism, which is the opposition to all use of military force during conflicts. Many...
and anti-nuclear
Anti-nuclear
The anti-nuclear movement is a social movement that opposes the use of nuclear technologies. Many direct action groups, environmental groups, and professional organisations have identified themselves with the movement at the local, national, and international level...
songs from the album. Ironically, the album gained wide attention due to the incident, and debuted at number one of the Oricon album chart.
The members Gee2Woo (keyboards) and Kozo Niida (drums) left the band in 1990. The remaining members Kiyoshiro, Nakaido, and Kazuo Kobayashi (bass) with some supporting musicians released the album Baby a Go-Go that year, but the band later announced that they would stop performing. The last concert was given at Nippon Budokan
Nippon Budokan
The , often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena in central Tokyo, Japan.This is the location where many "Live at the Budokan" albums were recorded...
on December 25, 1990.
After they stop performing, Kiyoshiro and Nakaido continued as solo artists, while other members (Kobayashi, Niida, and Gee2Woo) resumed their careers as session players. While the band never played together again, Kiyoshiro and Nakaido kept close relationships and collaborated from time to time, including the 1994 album Glad All Over which was credited to Kiyoshiro Imawano & Reichi Nakaido.
Kiyoshiro died of cancer on May 2, 2009.
Current
- Kiyoshiro ImawanoKiyoshiro Imawano, born , was a Japanese rock musician, lyricist, composer, musical producer, and actor from Tokyo, Japan. He was dubbed "Japan's King of Rock". He formed and led an influential rock band RC Succession....
- vocals, guitar (1968-) - Reichi NakaidoReichi Nakaido, born , is a Japanese guitarist and singer best known for his association with influential rock band RC Succession.- Biography :Nakaido was born in Shinjuku, Tokyo in 1950....
- lead guitar, vocals (1979-) - Kazuo Kobayashi - bass (1968-)
Past
- Kenchi Haren - guitar (1968–77)
- Kozo Niida - drums (1978–90)
- Hirofumi Kasuga - guitar, drums (1978, 1990)
- Ginji Ogawa - guitar (1979–80)
- Gee2Woo - keyboards (1980–90)
- Rei Atsumi - keyboards (1990)
Original albums
- 1972 Shoki no RC Succession (Toshiba)
- 1972 Tanoshii Yube Ni (Toshiba)
- 1976 Single Man (Polydor)
- 1980 Rhapsody (Kitty) [live album]
- 1980 Please (Kitty)
- 1981 Blue (Kitty)
- 1982 Beat Pops (London)
- 1983 OK (London)
- 1983 King of Live (London) [live album]
- 1984 Feel So Bad (Toshiba EMI)
- 1985 Heart Ace (Toshiba EMI)
- 1986 the TEARS OF a CLOWN (Toshiba EMI) [live album]
- 1988 Marvy (Toshiba EMI)
- 1988 Covers (Kitty)
- 1988 Cobra No Nayami (Toshiba EMI) [live album]
- 1990 Baby a Go Go (Toshiba EMI)
Compilations
- 1981 EPLP (Toshiba EMI)
- 1984 EPLP-2 (Toshiba EMI)
- 1990 Best of RC Succession 1970-1980 (Toshiba EMI)
- 1990 Best of RC Succession 1981-1990 (Toshiba EMI)
- 2002 Golden Best (EMI Music Japan)
- 2005 Wonderful Days 1970-80 (USM Japan)
- 2005 Greatful Days 1981-90 (USM Japan)