Bow Wow (band)

Bow Wow was formed in 1975, by Yoshimi Ueno who was a record producer and was looking to create an idol-like band, similar to The Monkees or the Bay City Rollers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kyoji-yamamoto.com/pages/778043/biography|title=Biography|website=kyoji-yamamoto.com|accessdate=2021-10-31}}{{cite web |title =【連載】Vol.098「Mike's Boogie Station＝音楽にいつも感謝！＝」|url = https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000188573 |work = Barks |language =Japanese |date = 2020-09-07 |accessdate = 2021-10-31}} After recruiting vocalist and guitarist Mitsuhiro Saito and drummer Toshihiro Niimi, from the band Do T. Doll, whom he had managed before, vocalist and guitarist Kyoji Yamamoto and bassist Kenji Sano, who were scouted from Yamaha Music School joined and Bow Wow was officially formed.{{cite web |title =【R.I.P.】日本のハード・ロック・シーンの礎を築いたBOW WOWのドラマー、新美俊宏急逝|url =https://drumsmagazine.jp/news/r-i-p-toshihiro-niimi/|work =Rhythm & Drums Magazine|language =Japanese |date =2023-06-02 |accessdate =2024-08-06}}{{cite book|title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=Virgin Books|date=1997 |edition=Concise |isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=167}} Hokari wrote that, once 19-year-old guitar virtuoso Yamamoto joined and was elected to sing in English, the idol concept was largely dropped in favor of authenticity. Niimi himself stated that if Yamamoto had not joined, they would have never become a hard rock band.

They were quickly signed to Victor and used the money to buy a truck, that could double as a stage, which earned them interviews with many magazines and television shows.{{cite web| title = Kyoji Yamamoto leaves all inhibitions behind| work = The Japan Times| date = 2009-04-18| url = http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090418a1.html| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121227215835/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090418a1.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2012-12-27| accessdate = 2011-09-14}} Bow Wow released their self-titled debut studio album in 1976.{{cite web| title = Kyoji Yamamoto leaves all inhibitions behind| work = The Japan Times| date = 2009-04-18| url = http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090418a1.html| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121227215835/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090418a1.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2012-12-27| accessdate = 2011-09-14}} Yamamoto recalled that when he joined, he told the producer he was a guitarist and not a singer, but during recording someone suggested he sing in English and he went with it.{{cite web| title =山本恭司 ヤング・ギター2017年12月号 本誌未掲載インタビュー |url = https://youngguitar.jp/interviews/yg201712-kyoji-yamamoto |work = Young Guitar Magazine |language =Japanese |date = 2017-11-18 |accessdate = 2021-10-31}} In 1977, they opened for Aerosmith and Kiss on their Japanese tours and released two more studio albums, Signal Fire and Charge.

According to AllMusic's Eduardo Rivadavia, their next few albums were criticized by critics and fans, as being musically all over the place, veering from their hard rock roots, and suffering from poor production values.{{cite web |title=Hard Dog - Bow Wow |work=AllMusic |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/hard-dog-mw0002006935 |accessdate=2012-10-31}} Yamamoto himself has described the three consecutive studio albums, Guarantee released in 1978 and Glorious Road and Telephone, both released in 1980, as being the band's "pop era." He noted that Saito was the main vocalist on Guarantee and Glorious Road, but he took over vocal duties again on Telephone, where he looked to fuse pop with rock. For Telephone, the band switched record labels to Sounds Marketing System and worked with producer Touru Yazawa, who had produced for the folk rock group Alice.

Bow Wow released the studio album Hard Dog in 1981, which returned the band to a respectable hard rock act. In 1982, they switched labels again to VAP and released two more studio albums, Asian Volcano and Warning from Stardust. The band also performed at that year's Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Reading Festival in England. The following year they toured with Hanoi Rocks across the UK and played their final concert at Nakano Sun Plaza, on 21 November 1983. It was Saito's last concert with the band, as he left to join ARB.

In early 1984, the remaining three founding 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.{{cite web| title = BOWWOW Frontman Kyoji Yamamoto| website = BraveWords| date = 2010-12-10| url = http://www.bravewords.com/news/152041| accessdate = 2011-09-14| archive-date = 2012-10-09| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121009171446/http://www.bravewords.com/news/152041| url-status = dead}} Now called Vow Wow, the group released their debut album Beat of Metal Motion in 1984, before signing to Toshiba EMI for their second album Cyclone, released in 1985 and relocated to England in 1986. After releasing their third album III, during that same year, they found themselves without a bassist when Kenji Sano returned to Japan, for personal reasons in May 1987. He would later retire from music completely.{{cite web |title =KYOJI YAMAMOTO – Bow Wow, Vow Wow, and Wild Flag mastermind reflects on the early days of his career, the last four decades, and the future: "I just want to make music as I like, and as long as there are enough people interested so I can make my living and keep myself happy."|url =https://www.metal-rules.com/2024/08/06/kyoji-yamamoto-bow-wow-vow-wow-and-wild-flag-mastermind-reflects-on-the-early-days-of-his-career-the-last-four-decades-and-the-future-i-just-want-to-make-music-as-i-like-and-as-long-as-there/|work=Metal-Rules |date=2024-08-06 |accessdate=2024-08-06}} Another Japanese bassist flew out to England for an audition, but it did not work out. Niimi then suggested that Yamamoto call Neil Murray, who had recently left Whitesnake and whom they both knew, from having worked on the second album by Phenomena. After a jam session, Murray agreed to join the band for their next album and later agreed to a tour of Japan. Although, Murray would later state that he never became a full band member.{{cite web |title=Remembering The Original Japanese Rock Invasion |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/remembering-the-original-japanese-rock-invasion |work=Metal Hammer |date=2015-01-24 |accessdate=2015-01-26}} Vow Wow then began recording their fourth album V in 1987, in Ibiza with producer Kit Woolven (Thin Lizzy, David Bowie) and co-producer John Wetton, who wrote the lyrics for the album's hit single "Don't Leave Me Now". They were asked by Tommy Vance to create the jingles for his British radio program, the Friday Rock Show. After releasing their fifth album Vibe in 1988, which included the hard rock anthem "Rock Me Now" which was released as a single, the band returned to Japan for a national tour. Although experiencing commercial success, Hitomi wanted to remain in Japan, to start a family. Vow Wow recorded what was supposed to be their final album, Helter Skelter in 1989, which was produced by Tony Taverner (Gipsy Kings) and was, as Rivadavia put it, a "re-sequenced, repackaged, and reissue" of Vibe.{{cite web |title=Vibe - Vow Wow |work=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/vibe-mw0001448037 |accessdate=2021-10-31}} After the album, Atsumi joined RC Succession for a tour, while Murray joined Black Sabbath. According to Yamamoto, Murray told him he had to leave Vow Wow because drummer Cozy Powell, was insistent that he join Black Sabbath and the bassist could not say no to his close friend.

Shortly after, producers Nick Griffiths (Queen, Paul McCartney) and Bob Ezrin (Kiss, Pink Floyd) requested to make an album with Vow Wow. The band reformed in Los Angeles, and utilized American session bassist Mark Gould for their sixth and final album, Mountain Top released in 1990. Vow Wow disbanded after their 28 May 1990 concert, at the Nippon Budokan. Yamamoto later said that the band had thought they could get signed to an American record label, but when that did not happen, "We lost our aim and then we started to get frustrated and our relationships collapsed. It was sad but 1990 was a bad year for hard rock bands. The hard rock and heavy metal scene was in decline." Hitomi became a high school English teacher, while the other members each continued separate musical careers. Yamamoto formed the power trio Wild Flag in 1991. Niimi formed the bands Lance of Thrill and The Slut Banks.

In May 1995, Yamamoto reformed Bow Wow with all new members. They released two studio albums, before once again disbanding in March 1997. However, Bow Wow reformed again in 1998, when original members Saito and Niimi rejoined Yamamoto and they released the album Back.{{Cite web|url=https://bowwow-army.jp/biography/history.html|title=BOWWOW OFFICIAL SITE|website=Bowwow-army.jp}} It was followed by Beyond in 2000, Another Place in 2001 and What's Going On?, in 2002. In August 2003, they performed in Daegu, South Korea at the O.K.! Crazy!! World Rock Festival. In 2005, Bow Wow released Era, their most recent studio album, to date.

Vocalist Genki Hitomi and keyboardist Rei Atsumi reunited with Yamamoto and Niimi, for a Vow Wow reunion concert on December 25, 2009 and for two sold-out shows the following year, on 25 December and 26 December 2010. Bow Wow released a new single, called "King or Queen" in 2014. Niimi left Bow Wow in 2015 and the group now performs sporadically under the name Bow Wow G2, which refers to the two guitarists, Yamamoto and Saito, being the only official members.{{cite web |title = BOWWOW G2＠Mt.RAINIER HALL SHIBUYA PLEASURE PLEASURE 2018.8.25 ライヴ・レポート |url = https://youngguitar.jp/201809/live-report/bowwow-g2 |work = Young Guitar Magazine |language =Japanese |date = 2018-09-13 |accessdate = 2021-10-31}} In August 2016, Bow Wow G2 held a concert for the band's 40th anniversary, which was later released on home video. Three years after their last performance in 2018, the duo held a concert for their 45th anniversary on 26 September 2021, at Ebisu Garden Hall, where they recreated the setlist of Bow Wow's 1978 live album Super Live.{{cite web| title = 人生経験から滲み出る迫力！ BOWWOW 45th Anniversary：BOWWOW G2ライブ 2021年9月26日@恵比寿ザ・ガーデンホール |url = https://youngguitar.jp/live-report/bowwow-45th-anniversary-20210926 |work = Young Guitar Magazine |language =Japanese |date = 2021-10-31 |accessdate = 2021-10-31}} On June 1, 2023, Yamamoto announced that Niimi had died from cancer on 27 May.{{cite web| title = BOWWOWのドラムス・新美俊宏さん死去 山本恭司が報告 癌と診断されて入院からわずか22日目…|url = https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2023/06/01/kiji/20230601s00041000792000c.html |work = Sports Nippon |language =Japanese |date = 2023-06-01 |accessdate = 2023-06-01}} Having felt unwell since the beginning of the month, the drummer was admitted to a hospital on 6 May, after being diagnosed with Stage IV cancer that had metastasized throughout his body. Niimi died at 7:38 pm on 27 May, at the age of 66.

Yamamoto, Hitomi and Atsumi reunited as Vow Wow, for two concerts at Club Citta on 29 June and 30 June 2024, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their first album and to pay tribute to Niimi.{{cite web| title =VOW WOWのクラブチッタ2days公演が2024年6月に決定！|url =https://burrn.online/news/20231224_01-copy.html |work = Burrn! |language =Japanese |date =2023-12-24|accessdate =2024-02-03}} Hitomi announced that he was returning to professional musical activities, during the second night and Yamamoto later said that all three members would like to reunite as Vow Wow, at least once a year.{{cite web| title =ギタリスト山本恭司の矜持Part２ 想定外の大合唱「あるべき姿に落ち着きました」|url =https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202409190000966.html|work = Nikkan Sports |language =Japanese |date =2024-09-24|accessdate =2024-09-28}} Bow Wow performed at the Time to Rock Festival in Knislinge, Sweden on 7 July 2024.{{cite web| title =【芸能】バウワウ山本恭司 ６７歳で年間ライブ１１０本超！今夏はスウェーデンでフェス出演|url =https://www.daily.co.jp/opinion-d/2024/01/26/0017262572.shtml|work = Daily Sports |language =Japanese |date =2024-01-26|accessdate =2024-02-03}}{{cite web| title =BOW WOW (JAP)|url =https://timetorock.se/en/artist&event=3a854b91-5ca2-4b32-b1ef-0339f38907a8&performer=54eaac55-f42e-448e-b498-c9784fe0fc5d |work = Time to Rock Festival|accessdate =2024-02-03}} Vow Wow performed two more reunion concerts, at the Tokyo Dome City Hall on 8 and 9 January 2025.{{cite web| title =14年ぶりの"Ｖ"OW WOWライブ 父の雄姿に息子も感動の投稿などで一時トレンド入りも|url =https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202407030000258.html|work = Nikkan Sports |language =Japanese|date=2024-07-03|accessdate =2024-07-10}}

Bow Wow were one of the first Japanese metal bands. Tomoaki Hokari of OK Music wrote that they were one of the acts that proved domestic musicians could compete with Western hard rock acts. Writing for Rolling Stone Japan, Daisuke Kawasaki ranked Warning from Stardust at No. 23 on a 2007 list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time".{{cite web |title=Finally! "The 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time" Listed |url=http://exclaim.ca/News/finally_100_greatest_japanese_rock_albums_of_all_time |work=Exclaim! |accessdate=2012-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231163831/http://exclaim.ca/News/finally_100_greatest_japanese_rock_albums_of_all_time |archive-date=2012-12-31 |url-status=dead }} The title track from Signal Fire was named the 28th best guitar instrumental by Young Guitar Magazine in 2019.{{cite web| title = ヤング・ギター厳選『ギター・インストの殿堂100』名演ランキング| work = Young Guitar Magazine | language =Japanese| date = 2019-06-11| url = https://youngguitar.jp/web/yg201907-ranking100 | accessdate = 2019-06-13}} Lars Ulrich is a fan of Bow Wow and used to cover their songs with Metallica before they made their debut. X Japan guitarist Hide admired Yamamoto and Saito, and played the Mockingbird-style of guitar because Saito used it.{{cite journal|title=Guitar battle with Hide and Pata |journal=GIGS |date=January 1992 |publisher=Shinko Music Entertainment |id= JAN 4910052910386}}{{cite journal|title=ロッキンf 97年7月号別冊 Rockin' Talk CAFE|journal=Rockin'f|publisher=Rittor Music|issue=July 1997|page=152}} Rhythm & Drums Magazine wrote that Niimi was influential on later drummers, including by pioneering the use of rubber mats under drum kits. Kouichi of Laputa is a fan of the band and covered their songs while in high school.{{cite journal|author=Arakawa, Reiko|title=Kouichi (Laputa) & HIRO, KOJI (La'cryma Christi) ニューエイジ・ギタリストによる対談が実現！！|journal=Rockin'f|publisher=Rittor Music|volume=262|date=July 27, 1997|pages=18–24}}{{cite journal|title=Laputa―from the cradle to the grave 1999 (Fool's Mate extrax)|journal=Fool's Mate|year=1999|page=6|isbn=4938716186}}

• {{nihongo|Kyoji Yamamoto|山本恭司}} – lead vocals (1975–1983, 1998–present), guitar (1975–1983, 1995–1997, 1998–present)
• {{nihongo|Mitsuhiro Saito|斉藤光浩}} – guitar, vocals (1975–1983, 1998–present)
• {{nihongo|Shinji Matsumoto|松本慎二}} – bass (2016–present, support member)
• {{nihongo|Masanori "Cherry" Koyanagi|小柳昌法}} – drums (2016–present, support member)

• {{nihongo|Kenji Sano|佐野賢二}} – bass, backing and occasional lead vocals (1975–1983)
• {{nihongo|Tetsuya Horie|堀江哲也}} – lead vocals (1995–1997)
• {{nihongo|Hiroshi Yaegashi|八重樫浩士}} – guitar, backing vocals (1995–1997)
• {{nihongo|Shotaro Mitsuzono|満園庄太郎}} – bass, backing vocals (1995–1997)
• {{nihongo|Eiji Mitsuzono|満園英二}} – drums (1995–1996)
• {{nihongo|Toshihiro Niimi|新美俊宏}} – drums (1975–1983, 1996–1997, 1998–2015, died 2023)
• Daisuke Kitsuwa – bass (1998–2015, support member)

• {{nihongo|Genki Hitomi|人見元基}} – lead vocals (1984–1990, 2009, 2010, 2024, 2025)
• Kyoji Yamamoto – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1990, 2009, 2010, 2024, 2025)
• {{nihongo|Rei Atsumi|厚見玲衣}} – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals (1984–1990, 2009, 2010, 2024, 2025)
• {{nihongo|Toshimi Nagai|永井敏己}} – bass (2024, 2025 support member)
• {{nihongo|Atsuo Okamoto|岡本郭男}} – drums (2024, 2025 support member)

• Kenji Sano – bass, backing vocals (1984–1987)
• Neil Murray – bass, backing vocals (1987–1990)
• Mark Gould – bass, backing vocals (1990)
• Toshihiro Niimi – drums (1984–1990, 2009, 2010, died 2023)

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bar:Yegashi text:"Hiroshi Yaegashi"

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• "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)
• "King or Queen" (2014)

• The Bow Wow (1979)
• Locus 1976-1983 (1986)
• The Bow Wow II Decennium (2008)
• XXXV (2011)

• 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)
• Super Live 2011 (2012)
• Bow Wow G2 Live in Tokyo (2017)

Every VHS was re-released on DVD on June 14, 2006

{{Reflist}}

• [http://bowwow-army.jp/ Official website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/user/wildlandcorporation Official YouTube]

{{Authority control}}

Category:Japanese hard rock musical groups

Category:Japanese heavy metal musical groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1975

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1990

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1995

Category:Musical groups from Tokyo

Category:English-language musical groups from Japan