Japan’s Popular Music
(Photo Source:Japan-zone)
Japan’s pop/rock music scene has gone through a few different stages over the years. The rockabilly sounds of the late 50′s became popular in the cities of Japan just after they were inpired by the US music scene. Young guys and girls flocked to see the stars of the day do their best impersonations of Elvis and Gene Vincent at the Western Festival in Tokyo in Februaury 1958. In the 60′s, it was the Beatles and the Rolling Stones who inspired the imitation of local groups. Ereki (electric) guitar music was the in sound of what became known as the Group Sounds phenomenon. The best known local bands of the decade include the Tigers and the Spiders. The Tigers were the first band to play the Budokan, then the biggest indoor arena in the country. In the year 1965 – it saw the first successful tour by US surf-sound band the Ventures, who have maintained their huge popularity to this day. Record industry overkill finished off the Group Sounds era and the seventies saw the arrival of New Rock and the Idols.