Representing Japan: Rock band “B’z” Basks in the Glory of Being the First Japanese Musicians to Enter the Hollywood Rock Walk
The news on September 21, 2007 led to a shock that reverberated all over the Japan. On that day it way confirmed that the Rock duo B’z, long active at the forefront of the Japanese music scene, had entered the Hollywood Rock Walk. What’s more, because this day is precisely the day when B’z made their major debut in Japan, the date marked their twentieth anniversary since embarking on their careers in music. For the two members of B’z, who have carried on during these 20 years without changing their principles, it made for a very fine anniversary present.
The Hollywood Rock Walk is a place into which superstars of the world of Rock music such as Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, Steve Vai, and Eric Clapton have been inducted. B’z became the first Japanese musicians to have their names carved there, so the award is considered to be of large historical significance.
Until now, instances where Japanese music has been recognized by the rest of the world have been extremely rare, as there has always been a thick wall (between Japan and the world) to penetrate: The reason being that Japanese musicians have basically felt that it was not necessary to try to please the world, but they instead felt it was okay to simply enjoy music with their fellow Japanese compatriots.
However, in a speech at the award ceremony held November 19, the recommender for the award of entering into the Rock Walk, Steve Vai, spoke in the following manner: “Normally I don’t listen that much to the music of other musicians, but with musicians who have sold more than seventy million in Japan, I thought ‘what could this be,’ and at first I just thought I would try to listen to their music. Even when I do listen to other musicians, I usually just listen a little bit at a time, but with B’z, I didn’t stop with just a little, and I ultimately ended up listening to all their songs over and over again. The music of B’z was something I had never heard before until then, so I was very inspired by it. There was more to it than I thought and it was very artistic. In any case, I liked it. This led to deciding to collaborate with them and when we played together during sessions in Los Angeles, I could understand why they are so popular. What we felt with one another was something akin to chemistry, and despite not explaining things in words; we could play together and have sessions in which I could feel their inspiration. It is wonderful that Guitar Center [home to the Rock Walk] found out about musicians like B’z and selected them for the Rock Walk. If you listen to their music you’ll understand right away what kind of musicians they are.”
If the music of B’z can - to that extent - impress even a person who speaks a different language, there is indeed no doubt that by now music in Japan has far exceeded its previous limitations.
In 2002, B’z came to America’s West Coast and ventured on a tour of live houses in San Diego; in 2003, a live tour entitled “B’z Live –Gym 2003 Banzai in North America” also took place in seven cities, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Moreover, because the duo periodically visits Los Angeles for recording, for them, the wall that once existed between Japan and the world seems to be disappearing.
After the induction, B’z guitarist Tak Matsumoto spoke thusly at the press conference: “For sure, there is an image whereby rock music equals the West, but in modern Japan there are also some terrific bands that are coming out, and for us ourselves, there is also part of our music that is influenced by American music. Nevertheless, in twenty years of playing together, I think maybe there is something we’ve been able to create little by little that shows something of who we actually are.”
Along the same vein, B’z vocalist Koshi Inaba said, “From childhood, I liked rock music and I was in a copy band. Over the course of events I made it all the way to where I am today. But in the meantime, because of music, I think national borders are becoming less significant.”
Tak and Koshi love music and they have wholeheartedly continued to express that love in their own style. It is that undying passion that has most likely led to receiving this award.
Upon celebrating the 20th-year anniversary of their debut, B’z announced that (one-and-a-half years since their previous album, “Monster”) their sixteenth album, “ACTION,” would be released on December 5. From January 2008, B’z will journey across Japan playing at concert halls and arenas during the “B’z LIVE-GYM 2008 ‘ACTION’ Tour;” while in September, various stadiums will host the “B’z LIVE-GYM 2008 ‘Pleasure’ Tour.” The “Pleasure Tour,” which will feature many hit songs not performed live since concerts held September 20-21, 2003 at Nagisaen, Shizuoka, will differ from the “ACTION Tour,” which will be centered on the newly released album. These tours of 2008 will be large scale events that are expected to attract a total of 700,000 people with 59 performances in 38 concert halls, arenas, and stadiums.
Currently, no tour is being planned for America, but B’z has told us, “If there is a need in the future, we would immediately go anywhere in the world to perform.” And, of course, we hope this award will bring create a worldwide boom for B’z.
In closing, we would like to offer our best wishes to Tak and Koshi for their induction into the Hollywood Rock Walk: “ Congratulations!”
Since the first year, the venue has centered around Weller Court, the Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens (former name: The New Otani Hotel & Garden) and Japanese Village Plaza, where a great variety of traditional Japanese New Years events such as the shishimai lion dance, taiko drumming, koto performances, kimono shows and martial arts demonstrations will be performed. Last year 10,000 people attended.
Again this year, the main stage will be erected in Weller Court, and for the opening ceremony the Japanese Consulate has invited 10 groups to demonstrate traditional Japanese arts, such as the Zen taiko performance and the sake cask opening, followed by koto performances, calligraphy and martial arts shows.
Very popular last year were booth offering yakisoba fried noodles and Japanese craft accessories, and so this year 20 stores will set up stalls. Adjoining Weller Court is Onizuka Street, where every year the traditional mochi-tsuki pounding of rice cake is conducted with spectators joining in to help make the fresh mochi.
In addition, the first 200 children who come to Weller Court will receive a free bag of New Year’s goodies.
At the Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens, events are planned, starting on December 31, New Years Eve, through New Years Day. Starting at 7:00 am on January 1, otoso spicy sake will be served free of charge. On the third floor Garden Level at the Thousand Cranes Restaurant, its noted New Year’s Osechi Buffet will be offered from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Traditional Japanese osechi cuisine will be arrayed with more than 30 varieties of foods.
From 12:00 pm, on the second floor of the hotel, in the banquet rooms and lobby, there will be a children’s karuta card-matching tournament, a go game tournament, a calligraphy demonstration given by Ikuta Kanshu, a New Years tea ceremony, a kimono dressing room, and origami paper folding demonstration among other events. These are planned as pastimes typically enjoyed in Japan on New Years Day.
The Japanese Village Plaza at 350 E. First Street will sponsor a number of performances including the traditional mochi-tsuki pounding of rice cake, the shishimai lion dance, martial arts demonstrations, a karaoke contest at the special stage in front of Nijiya Market. Restaurants and stores in the Plaza will also be open. The events run from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
Finally, at six temples in the area, Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple, Jodoshu North America Buddhist Mission, Koyasan Buddhist Temple, Honpa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, Nichiren Buddhist Temple and Zenshuji Soto Mission, under the auspices of the Los Angeles Buddhist Church Federation Event, will be conducting traditional services.
On January 1st, there will be a rare opportunity to come into contact with Japanese culture, so it is hoped that as many people as possible join in the activities.