Bow Wow (band)
| Bow Wow | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Vow Wow, Bowwow |
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal |
| Years active | 1976–1983, 1995–present (as Bow Wow) 1984–1990 (as Vow Wow) |
| Labels | Victor, Sony Music, Toshiba EMI, Arista (US), Rockcandy (US), Heavy Metal (EU), Roadrunner (EU) |
| Associated acts | Wild Flag, Noiz, Whitesnake |
| Website | Official site |
| Members | |
| Kyoji Yamamoto Mitsuhiro Saito Toshihiro Niimi |
|
| Past members | |
| Kenji Sano Genki Hitomi Rei Atsumi Neil Murray Tetsuya Horie Hiroshi Yaegashi Shotaro Mitsuzono Eiji Mitsuzono |
|
Bow Wow is an influential hard rock band formed in 1975 in Japan. After some member changes the band renamed themselves Vow Wow in 1984. They moved to England in 1987, before disbanding in 1990. Guitarist and vocalist Kyoji Yamamoto reformed Bow Wow in 1995 with all new members, before original guitarist and vocalist Mitsuhiro Saito and drummer Toshihiro Niimi rejoined him three years later, they continue to this day. In September 2007, Rolling Stone Japan rated their album Warning from Stardust at #23 on its list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time".[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] 1975–1983: Bow Wow
Formed by guitarist and vocalist Kyoji Yamamoto in 1975, with Mitsuhiro Saito also on guitar and vocals, bassist Kenji Sano and drummer Toshihiro Niimi, Bow Wow soon signed to Victor and released their self-titled debut a year later.[2] In 1977 they opened for Aerosmith and Kiss on their Japanese tours.[2] The following year they played overseas in Hong Kong and at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.[2] In 1982 they played the Reading Festival in England.[2] Guitarist Mitsuhiro Saito left in November 1983.
[edit] 1984–1990: Vow Wow
In 1984, the remaining three members were joined by vocalist Genki Hitomi and keyboardist Rei Atsumi, this resulted in a more commercial sound and the band decided a name change was necessary.[3] Now called Vow Wow, the band relocated to England in 1987 and were without a bassist for a short-time, as Kenji Sano stayed in Japan. Former Whitesnake bassist Neil Murray offered to join, and they began recording the album V with producer Kit Woolven (Thin Lizzy, David Bowie). They were asked by Tommy Vance to create the jingles for his British radio program, the Friday Rock Show. After another album, they recorded the classic hard rock anthem "Rock Me Now" and returned to Japan for a national tour. Although experiencing commercial success, Genki wanted to remain in Japan to begin a family. The band recorded what was to be their final album titled Helter Skelter in 1989, which was handled by Tony Taverner (Gypsy Kings, Black Sabbath). After the album the band stayed in Japan, and seemed to dissolve when Neil joined Black Sabbath.
However, producers Nick Griffiths (Queen, Paul McCartney) and Bob Ezrin (Kiss, Pink Floyd) requested to create an album with Vow Wow. The band regrouped without Neil, and recruited American studio bassist Mark Gould for their final album, Mountain Top. Vow Wow disbanded after a May 28, 1990 concert at the Nippon Budokan. Genki became a high school English teacher, while the other members each continued separate musical careers, with Kyoji forming the band Wild Flag in 1991.
[edit] 1995–present: Bow Wow revival and Vow Wow reunion concerts
In May 1995, Kyoji reformed Bow Wow with all new members.[3] They had several releases until dissolving in March 1997. However, in 1998 original members Mitsuhiro Saito and Toshihiro Niimi rejoined Kyoji, and Bow Wow became a trio.[3] In August 2003 they performed in Daegu, South Korea at the O.K.! Crazy!! World Rock Festival. They returned the following year when their next album got a Korean release.
Genki Hitomi and Rei Atsumi reunited with Kyoji and Toshihiro for a Vow Wow reunion concert on December 25, 2009, and for two shows the following year on December 25 and 26, 2010.
[edit] Members
- Kyoji Yamamoto – guitar and vocals (1975–1983, 1998–present), guitar (1984–1990, 1995–1997)
- Mitsuhiro Saito – guitar and vocals (1975–1983, 1998–present)
- Toshihiro Niimi – drums (1975–1990, 1998–present)
- Daisuke Kitsuwa – support bass
- Former members
- Kenji Sano – bass (1975–1987)
- Genki Hitomi – vocals (1984–1990)
- Rei Atsumi – keyboards (1984–1990)
- Neil Murray – bass (1987–1990)
- Mark Gould – studio bass (1990)
- Tetsuya Horie – vocals (1995–1997)
- Hiroshi Yaegashi – guitar (1995–1997)
- Shotaro Mitsuzono – bass (1995–1997)
- Eiji Mitsuzono – drums (1995–1997)
[edit] Discography
[edit] As Bow Wow
- Studio albums
- Bow Wow (1976)
- Signal Fire (1977)
- Charge (1977)
- Guarantee (1978)
- Glorious Road (1980)
- Telephone (1980)
- Hard Dog (1981)
- Asian Volcano (1982)
- Warning from Stardust (1982)
- Bow Wow # 1 (1995)
- Led by the Sun (1996)
- Beyond (2000)
- Another Place (2001)
- What's Going On? (2002)
- Era (2005)
- EPs
- Bow Wow #0 (1995)
- Still on Fire (1998)
- Singles
- "Volume On" (1976)
- "Still" (1977)
- "Sabishii Yuugi (1978)
- "Hoshii no wa Omae Dake" (1979)
- "Wasurekaketeta Love Song " (1980)
- "Rainy Train" (1980)
- "Keep on Rockin'" (1980)
- "Soldier in the Space" (1980)
- "Gonna be Alright" (1981)
- "Take Me Away" (1982)
- "Forever" (1983)
- "You're Mine" (1983)
- "One Last Time" (2002)
- Live albums
- Super Live (1978)
- Holy Expedition (1983)
- Live Explosion 1999 (1999)
- Super Live 2004 (2005)
- Compilations
- The Bow Wow (1979)
- Locus 1976-1983 (1986)
- Back (1998)
- Ancient Dreams (1999)
- The Bow Wow II Decennium (2008)
- XXXV (2011)
- Soundtrack
- Kumikyoku X Bomber (組曲Xボンバー) (1980, for the TV series X-Bomber)
[edit] As Vow Wow
- Studio albums
- Beat of Metal Motion (1984)
- Cyclone (1985), Oricon Albums Chart Peak Position: #300[4]
- III (1986) #275[4]
- V (1987)
- Vibe (1988) #19[4]
- Helter Skelter (1989)
- Mountain Top (1990) #16[4]
- EPs
- Don't Leave Me Now (1987)
- Revive (1987)
- Rock Me Now (1988)
- I Feel the Power (1989)
- Singles
- "Beat of Metal Motion" (1984)
- "U.S.A." (1985)
- "Don't Leave Me Now" (1987)
- "Rock Me Now" (1988)
- "Cry No More" (1988)
- "Don't Tell Me Lies" (1988)
- "Helter Skelter" (1989)
- "I Feel the Power" (1989)
- "Tell Me" (1990), Oricon Singles Chart Peak Position: #23[5]
- Live albums
- Hard Rock Night (1986)
- Vow Wow Live (1986)
- Majestic Night (1989)
- Compilations
- Shockwaves (1986)
- Vow Wow (1988)
- Legacy (1990) #60[4]
- Best Now (1992)
- Twin Best (1996)
- Super Best ~Rock Me Forever~ (2006) #286[4]
- The Vox (2007, 8CD+DVD)
[edit] Videography
[edit] As Bow Wow
- The Live Empire (2003)
- Live Explosion 1999 (2003)
- 2003.3.22 Live (2003)
- Rock to the Future 2002 Bow Wow vs XYZ→A (2003)
- Super Live 2004 (2005)
- Super Live 2005 (2006)
- Super Live 2006 (2007)
- Super Live 2007 (2008)
- Super Live 2009 (2010)
[edit] As Vow Wow
- Visions (1985, VHS), Oricon DVDs Chart Peak Position: #116[6]
- Live (1986, VHS) #75[6]
- Live in the U.K. (1989, VHS) #80[6]
- Japan Live 1990 at Budokan (1990, VHS) #88[6]
Every VHS was re-released on DVD on June 14, 2006.
[edit] References
- ^ "English translation and summary of the Rolling Stone Japan article". neojaponisme.com. http://neojaponisme.com/2007/11/09/100-greatest-japanese-rock-albums/. Retrieved 2011-12-11.
- ^ a b c d "Kyoji Yamamoto leaves all inhibitions behind". japantimes.co.jp. 2009-04-18. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090418a1.html. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
- ^ a b c "BOWWOW Frontman Kyoji Yamamoto". bravewords.com. 2010-12-10. http://www.bravewords.com/news/152041. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
- ^ a b c d e f BOW WOWのアルバム売り上げランキング. oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2011-12-11.
- ^ BOW WOWのシングル売り上げランキング. oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2011-12-11.
- ^ a b c d BOW WOWのDVD売り上げランキング. oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2011-12-11.
