Southern All Stars

Southern All Stars for their 30th Anniversary (2008)

Southern All Stars (サザンオールスターズ), also known as SAS and Sazan, is a Japanese rock band led by Kuwata Keisuke. The band is considered one of the most influential groups in Japan, being the 4th best-selling artist and having sold more than 47,083,000 copies in Japan.

Members

• Kuwata Keisuke (Lead vocals, acoustic & electric guitars)
• Sekiguchi Kazuyuki (Bass)
• Hara Yuko (Vocals & keyboards)
• Matsuda Hiroshi (Drums)
• Nozawa Hideyuki (Percussion)

Former Members

• Omori Takashi (Guitar) (graduated August 2001)

Information

The band's roots trace back to 1975, when Kuwata Keisuke was part of a popular group Better Days. The group saw many changes to its name and members. It was when keyboardist Hara Yuko and bassist Sekiguchi Kazuyuki joined the group that it had a permanent name.

After more and more changes of members, the group finally saw light as they released their debut single Katte ni Sinbad in 1978. After several appearances of the song on TV, the single climbed to #3 on the Oricon charts. They released one more single, before going away from the funny image, with the release of the pop-ballad Itoshi no Ellie. They released their debut album Atsui Munasawagi which contained few tracks. After only 8 months they released their 2nd album 10 Numbers Carat, which Kuwata considered "trash".

In 1980, they started the "Five Rock Show" and released their 3rd album Tiny Bubbles. With the release of NUDE MAN and a couple of singles, they experienced more success when popular Japanese artists began covering their hit songs. After releasing their 14th single Chako no Kaigan Monogatari, Kuwata married Hara and to add to the happiness, fans were invited to their wedding ceremony.

The group then released Ninkimono de Ikou, which had a more adult feel in it. With the release of this album, Southern All Stars built up a more definite reputation in the Japanese music world. In the late 1980s, Hara conceived to Kuwata's child, so the leader decided to temporarily suspend the band's activities, while he work on another band, Kuwata Band.

In the 1990's they released more hit songs and album. 1991 also saw the graduation of bassist Sekiguchi Kazuyuki because of health problems, later coming back in 1995. In 1992, they released the singles Namida no Kiss and Shulaba★La★Bamba on the same day. Namida no Kiss became an instant hit, being their first million-seller single. With the release of million-seller singles, the band released Young Love, their 11th album, which has become their most successful album to date.

January of 2000 saw the release of TSUNAMI, which was #1 on the Oricon charts for 5 weeks, selling almost 3 million copies. The single was marked the 3rd best-selling one in Japan. In 2001, guitarist Omori Takashi graduated from the group to take a rest. After releasing some more hit singles and albums, Kuwata came back to his solo activities and produced big hit singles and an album.

Their 13th album, Killer Street, was released in late 2005. The album not only topped the Oricon weekly charts, but also the United World Charts.

In May 2008, Victor Entertainment, the band's agency, announced that Southern All Stars will stop working as a band in 2009, but with the members having solo activities. However, Victor Entertainment said they would still come back to work as a band.

In August 2008, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the single I AM YOUR SINGER.

Discography

Albums

• [1978.08.25] Atsui Munasawagi (熱い胸さわぎ; Hot Uneasiness)
• [1979.04.05] 10 Numbers Carat (10ナンバーズ・からっと)
• [1980.03.21] Tiny Bubbles (タイニイ・バブルス)
• [1981.07.21] Stereo Taiyou-zoku (ステレオ太陽族; Stereo Sun Tribe)
• [1982.07.21] NUDE MAN
• [1983.07.05] Kirei (綺麗; Beautiful)
• [1984.07.07] Ninkimono de Ikou (人気者で行こう; Go the Way of Stars)
• [1985.09.14] KAMAKURA
• [1990.01.13] SOUTHERN ALL STARS
• [1990.09.01] Inamura Jane (稲村ジェーン) (Southern All Stars and All Stars)
• [1992.09.26] Yo ni Manyou no Hana ga Sakunari (世に万葉の花が咲くなり; The Flower of Myriad Leaves Blooms in the World)
• [1996.07.20] Young Love
• [1998.10.21] Sakura (さくら; Cherry Blossoms)
• [2005.10.05] Killer Street (キラーストリート)
• [2015.03.31] Budou (葡萄; Grapes)

Best Albums

• [1979.11.25] Best of Southern All Stars (ベスト・オブ・サザンオールスターズ)
• [1980.07.05] Kick Off!
• [1980.12.05] Early Southern All Stars (アーリー・サザンオールスターズ)
• [1981.10.25] SOUTHERN ALL STARS BEST
• [1982.05.01] Shout!
• [1982.12.05] Ballad '77~'82 (バラッド)
• [1983.12.06] Hara Yuko with Southern All Stars (原由子 with サザンオールスターズ)
• [1987.06.21] BALLADE 2 '83~'86
• [1989.07.21] Suika SOUTHERN ALL STARS SPECIAL 61SONGS (すいか; Watermelon)
• [1995.06.24] HAPPY!
• [1998.06.25] Umi no Yeah!! (海のYeah!!; Sea's Yeah!!)
• [2000.11.22] Ballad 3 ~the album of LOVE~ (バラッド)
• [2018.08.01] Umi no Oh, Yeah!! (海のOh, Yeah!!)

Remix Albums

• [1993.08.21] Enoshima (SOUTHERN ALL STARS GOLDEN HITS MEDLEY) (江ノ島) (Z-dan)

Boxes

• [2005.06.25] Single Katte ni Sindbad ~ "TSUNAMI" (勝手にシンドバッド)

Singles

• [1978.06.25] Katte ni Sindbad (勝手にシンドバッド; Willfully Sinbad)
• [1978.11.25] Kibun Shidai de Semenaide (気分しだいで責めないで; Don't Pet Me So Freely)
• [1979.03.25] Itoshi no Ellie (いとしのエリー; My Dear Ellie)
• [1979.07.25] Omoisugoshi mo Koi no Uchi (思い過ごしも恋のうち; Imagining Things is Also Love)
• [1979.10.25] C-chou Kotoba ni Goyoujin (C調言葉に御用心; Beware of Breezy Words)
• [1980.02.21] Namida no Avenue (涙のアベニュー; Avenue of Tears)
• [1980.03.21] Koisuru Monthly Day (恋するマンスリー・デイ; Lovely Monthly Day)
• [1980.05.21] Inase na Locomotion (いなせなロコモーション; Chic Locomotion)
• [1980.06.21] JAZZ MAN (ジャズマン)
• [1980.07.21] Wasureji no Laid Back (わすれじのレイド・バック; Laid Back that You Can't Forget)
• [1980.11.21] Sha La La / Gomen ne Charlie (シャ・ラ・ラ / ごめんね チャーリー; Sorry Charlie)
• [1981.06.21] Big Star Blues (Big Star no Higeki) (ビッグスターの悲劇)
• [1981.09.21] Shiori no Theme (栞のテーマ; Shiori's Theme)
• [1982.01.21] Chako no Kaigan Monogatari (チャコの海岸物語; Chako's Coastal Story)
• [1982.05.21] Nijiiro THE NIGHT CLUB (匂艶; Rainbow-colored)
• [1982.10.05] Ya Ya (Ano Toki wo Wasurenai) (あの時代を忘れない)
• [1983.03.05] BODY SPECIAL II (ボディ・スペシャルII)
• [1983.07.05] EMANON
• [1983.11.05] Tokyo Shuffle (東京シャッフル)
• [1984.06.25] MISS BRAND-NEW DAY (ミス・ブランニュー・デイ)
• [1984.10.21] Tarako (Cod Roe)
• [1985.05.29] Bye Bye My Love (U are the one)
• [1985.08.21] Melody (メロディ)
• [1988.06.25] Minna no Uta (みんなのうた; Everyone's Songs)
• [1989.04.12] Megami-tachi e no Jouka (Houdou Sarenai Y Kei no Kanata e) (女神達への情歌 (報道されないY型の彼方へ); Love Song for Goddesses)
• [1989.06.07] Sayonara Baby (さよならベイビー; Goodbye, Baby)
• [1989.11.21] Furi Furi '65 (フリフリ; Swinging)
• [1990.07.25] Manatsu no Kajitsu (真夏の果実; Midsummer Fruit)
• [1991.07.10] Neo Bravo!! (ネオ・ブラボー!!)
• [1992.07.18] SHULABA★LA★BAMBA (シュラバ★ラ★バンバ SHULABA-LA-BAMBA)
• [1992.07.18] Namida no Kiss (涙のキッス; Kiss of Tears)
• [1993.07.21] EROTICA SEVEN (エロティカ・セブン)
• [1993.07.21] Suteki na Birdy (NO NO BIRDY) (素敵なバーディー; Wonderful Birdy)
• [1993.11.20] Christmas Love (Namida no Ato ni wa Shiroi Yuki ga Furu) (クリスマス・ラブ (涙のあとには白い雪が降る))
• [1995.05.22] Manpi no G★SPOT (マンピーのG★SPOT)
• [1995.07.17] Anata Dake wo ~Summer Heartbreak~ (あなただけを; Only You)
• [1996.05.20] Ai no Kotodama ~Spiritual Message~ (愛の言霊; Spirit of the Word called Love)
• [1996.06.25] Taiyou wa Tsumi na Yatsu (太陽は罪な奴; The Sun is a Bad Guy)
• [1997.08.21] 01MESSENGER ~Denshi Kyou no Uta~ (電子狂の詩; Electronic Maniac's Song)
• [1997.11.06] BLUE HEAVEN
• [1998.02.11] LOVE AFFAIR ~Himitsu no Date~ (秘密のデート; Secret Date)
• [1998.07.29] PARADISE
• [1999.03.25] Yellow Man ~Hoshi no Oujisama~ (イエローマン ～星の王子様～; The Little Prince)
• [2000.01.26] TSUNAMI
• [2000.07.19] HOTEL PACIFIC
• [2000.11.01] Kono Aoi Sora, Midori ~BLUE IN GREEN~ (この青い空、みどり; This Blue Sky is Green)
• [2003.06.25] Namida no Umi de Dakaretai ~SEA OF LOVE~ (涙の海で抱かれたい; I Want to be Held in the Sea of Tears)
• [2004.04.14] Aja (彩 ~Aja~)
• [2004.07.21] Kimi Koso Star da / Yume ni Kieta Julia (君こそスターだ / 夢に消えたジュリア; You are the Star / Julia Disappeared in a Dream)
• [2004.11.24] Ai to Yokubou no Hibi / LONELY WOMAN (愛と欲望の日々; Days of Love and Desire)
• [2005.07.20] BOHBO No.5 / Kami no Shima Haruka Kuni (神の島遥か国; God's Island, the Country So Far)
• [2006.08.09] DIRTY OLD MAN ~Saraba Natsu yo~ (さらば夏よ; Goodbye Summer)
• [2008.08.06] I AM YOUR SINGER
• [2013.08.07] Peace & Hi-lite (ピースとハイライト)
• [2014.09.10] Tokyo VICTORY (東京 VICTORY)
• [2019.11.27] SOUTHERN ALL STARS YEARBOOK "40"

Digital Singles

• [2018.06.15] Tatakau Monotachi he Ai wo Komete (闘う戦士たちへ愛を込めて)
• [2018.07.23] Sounen JUMP (壮年JUMP)
• [2019.08.12] Ai wa Slow ni Chotto Zutsu (愛はスローにちょっとずつ)

Video Releases

• [1982.09.21] Budokan Concert (武道館コンサート)
• [1983.01.26] Nijiiro THE NIGHT CLUB (匂艶)
• [1983.01.26] Southern All Stars THE BEST
• [1984.12.21] Sakichi no Miyage-Banashi (サ吉のみやげ話)
• [1989.04.12] Megami-tachi e no Jouka (Houdou Sarenai Y Kei no Kanata e) (女神達への情歌 (報道されないY型の彼方へ))
• [1993.03.27] Utau Nippon Series 1992~1993 LIVE at YOKOHAMA ARENA 29th December 1992 (歌う日本シリーズ)
• [1995.12.02] HOTARU CALIFORNIA
• [1997.03.05] Heiwa no Ryuuka ~Stadium Tour 1996 "The Girls Manza Beach" in Okinawa~ (平和の琉歌 ~Stadium Tour 1996 "ザ・ガールズ万座ビーチ" in 沖縄~)
• [1998.12.12] 1998 Super Live in Nagisaen (スーパーライブ in 渚園)
• [2000.02.26] Secret Live'99 SAS Jikenbo in Kabukichou (シークレットライブ'99 SAS 事件簿 in 歌舞伎町)
• [2003.08.30] Inside Outside U・M・I
• [2003.12.17] SUMMER LIVE 2003 'Sasuga da Special Box' Mune Ippai no "LIVE in Okinawa" & Ai to Jounetsu no "Manatsu Tour Kanzenhan" (「流石だスペシャルボックス」胸いっぱいの"LIVE in 沖縄"&愛と情熱の"真夏ツアー完全版")
• [2004.12.15] Best Hit USAS (Ultra Southern All Stars) (ベストヒットUSAS)
• [2006.03.15] FILM KILLER STREET (Director's Cut) & LIVE at TOKYO DOME
• [2008.12.03] Manatsu no dai kansha Sai LIVE (真夏の大感謝祭)
• [2013.12.31] SUPER SUMMER LIVE 2013 "Shakunetsu no Manpi!! G Spot Kaikin!!" Muneatsu Kanzen Ban (SUPER SUMMER LIVE 2013 「灼熱のマンピー!! G★スポット解禁!!」胸熱完全版)
• [2016.01.06] Oishii Budo no Tabi Live -at DOME & Nippon Budokan- (おいしい葡萄の旅ライブ -at DOME & 日本武道館-)
• [2019.11.27] LIVE TOUR 2019 "Kimi wa Mitekure ga Waruindakara, Aho Marudashi de Mic wo Nigittero!!" Dato!? Fuzakeruna!! (LIVE TOUR 2019 “キミは見てくれが悪いんだから、アホ丸出しでマイクを握ってろ!!” だと!? ふざけるな!!)
• [2019.12.31] 21 Seiki no Ongaku Itanji (21世紀の音楽異端児)

Other

• [1999.12.10] SPACE MOSA ~SPACE MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART~

External Links

• Official Website
• Official Fan Club
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• Official Youtube