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J-WALK, one of the most famous and most influential
rock bands in Japanese music history,was formed in 1980. Like the vast majority
of young talented bands in Japan, J-WALK spent its early years, " paying
their musical dues".
For seven years,the members of J-WALK learned their trade, honed their skills
and developed a distinct sound and style in underground Japanese rock circuit.
1987 brought significant change in the form of bass guitarist SUKE-ROKU NAKAUCHI.
It solidified a line -up that already included the enchanting voice and charismatic
stage presence of KOICHI NAKAMURA, guitar-guru MITSUYASU TOMOHISA, keyboadist
HIROHSI SUGITA, and drummer JUNICHI TAGIRI.
In 1988, an invigorated J-WALK recorded the CD single "AVALON" and released
the album "PIERCE". The ball hasn't stopped rolling since. Since 1988,
J-WALK has became one of the most prolific recording artists and most popular
live acts in the history of Japanese rock.
Under the MELDAC label, their albums include: aforementioned "PIERCE","GALE"
in 1989; "COUNTRY" and "DOWN TOWN STORIES" in 1990; "KNOCK
ON THE BELLS OF MY HEART" in 1991; "THIRTEEN YEARS OLD" and "START
FROM THE BEGINNING" in 1993; and the live album "2 HOURS & 7 MINUTES"
in 1994. Afterall they have released three CD singles and two albums that are
" DOZEN OF GAMES" in 1995 and "REASON" in 1996.
The band has garned numerous awards from the Japanese music industry, including
the prestigious Gold Disk Prize for Best Album of the Year in 1992. J-WALK also
has participated in "44th Red &white Music Competition" on NHK in
1993.
In addition to the many albums and CD singles, JAYWALK has produced a number of
compositions for many companies in both Japan and the world, including: CITIZEN
WATCH COMPANY, COCA COLA LTD.., JAPAN KITAKYUSHU RAILWAY, KANSAI TELEMESSAGE,
MITUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION "REGAIN", and BENESSE CORPORATION "GOODY"(out
door magazine).
Creative live shows have always played an important role in the rise of J-WALK's
popularity. From April to September of 1994, J-WALK carried out the "TRAVELLING
J TOUR ". The extremely successful concert tour, supported by MITUBISHI ELECTRIC
included 65 dates in front of audiences as large as 120,000.
In 1995, "A Dozen of Games" tour, and in 1996, "Reason" tour,
J-WALK have successfully garned more fans through out JAPAN.
Aside from recording albums, touring and producing a number of videos, J-WALK
began their own radio programming. in 1993, J-WALK began their own radio programme
"J-WALK, J-JIVE" on Japan's QR networks . They also produced "
J-WALK ON THE CORNER" on TOKYO FM ,"ON THE FREEWAY" on FM FUJI,and
" KONYA NO BOKUWA KONNA BOKU" on FM EHIME.
J-WALK's music has reached well beyond the borders of Japan and has made its way
up the Canto-pop charts in Hong Kong. Many Canto-pop superstars including PRICILLA
CHAN and JACKY CHEUNG have all recorded and performed cover version of J-WALK
songs. Also ANDY LAU has released his song which was originally composed by J-WALK
in spring. In 1994,the fascination was the coverd song "LAI LAI HUI HUI"
by JACKY CHEUNG, the original song of J-WALK "DONNANI TOKIGA NAGARETA ATOMO"
, became one of the greatest hits in HONG KONG & CHINA.
By this time, J-WALK became to be recognized as the Stars from the " Country
of Rising Sun". In the end of this year, they have performed their first
concert in HONG KONG ,also carried out the concert in SHANGHAI CHINA for two days
in a row and almost 30,000 audiences have gathered at SHANGHAI STADIUM.
J-WALK's spark and energy has gone beyond any mere national or geographic considerations.
Not only in Asia, in USA,PAT SIMMONS ofDOOBIE BROTHERS is also covering the J-WALK's
song in his latest solo album. In the meantime, J-WALK changed their band's name
to new "JAYWALK".
In 1995, the keyboadist HIROSHI SUGITA released his first solo debut album "OMOIDE
NI TE WO FUTTE " under the label of MERCURY MUSIC ENTAERTAINMENT.
Through out these successful years, while the numbers of famous Artists have released
their cover versions of JAYWALK's compositions, in 1999 the Bassist SUKEROKU NAKUCHI
also made his solo debut in CHINA and released his solo album "WO XIAN NI
XIANXING " which includes the traditional chinese song as well as the JAYWALK
's originals.
In the year before, JAYWALK invited a young vocalist KENTARO NAKAGAWA to join
the band as an official member. With his magnetic charm and captivating voice,
KENTARO NAKAGAWA brought JAYWALK an inspiration and the magic not only to their
music scenes but to their vital performances on stages. It is quite obvious that
his participations have influenced the band significantly and have integrated
and enhanced their musical potentials as the prominent ones.
Right after the transformation of line-up, JAYWALK have accelerated their power
to open the door to their NEW ERA. They have energetically released the albums
; "J's BROTHERS BAND " in 1998 with two guest percussionists, OCHI BROTHERS
; "HEAVEN" in 1999 ; a set of the memorial best albums " DO YOU
REMEMBER WHEN? " & "WHILE THE LIGHTS ARE LOW " in 2000.
In the year of 2000, JAYWALK see their 20th anniversary come around. They have
embarked on the Japan -wide concert tour " Thank You Dear Friends" to
express their gratitude to all the audiences who have supported them for last
20 years.
Aside from all that glitz and glamour of the entertainment business as TV and
Videos, they say, musicians are about something else, about communications, about
feelings and about emotions. Sometimes they have to look backwards to move foreward.
Every now and then they all need to check where they are coming from to know where
they are aiming to go. Obviously the year of 2000 is the challenging year for
JAYWALK to seek for their musical identity to keep them alive toward the new century
to come. And undoubtedly, it's became a quest to preserve what was once defined
as the true spirit of JAYWALK.
BIOGRAPHY >>
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