Kiyoshiro Imawano

Musician, songwriter, and producer Kiyoshiro Imawano was born Kiyoshi Kiruihara in Nakano, Tokyo, Japan on April 2, 1951. Referred to as ‘Japan’s King of Rock’, he was best known as both a solo artist and as leader of popular rock band RC Succession. While he was in junior high school, the rock and roll movement in the mid-1960s inspired him to form a covers band. He was then inspired by the folk-rock movement and formed the group RC Succession in 1968. The group released their debut single, “Korakuji wa Kanai,” in 1970, but didn’t come to prominence until 1972 with the release of the hit single “Boku no Suki na Sensai.” The group released several albums in the 1970s including Shoki no RC Succession (1972) and Tanoshi Yube Ni (1972) before Kiyoshiro Imawano began to release solo albums alongside his work with RC Succession in the 1980s. He and the band became even more popular in the ‘80s and stirred up controversy with their outspoken political lyrics. RC Succession broke up in 1991 and Kiyoshiro Imawano continued with his successful solo career. In 1992, he released the album Memphis which featured Booker T. & the M.G.’s. He also collaborated with other musicians and released albums under different pseudonyms such The Timers, Ruffy Tuffy, and Kiyoshiro Imawano & 2 3’s. Remaining one of Japan’s most influential rock artists, Kiyoshiro Imawano continued to release hit albums into the millennium including King (2003), God (2005), and Yumesuke (2006). During his prolific career, he also dabbled in acting as well as voice-over work but always focused on the music. Kiyoshiro Imawano died of cancer on May 2, 2009, at the age of 58.

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