is a Japanese multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and

frontman The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of the ...

for the

Southern All Stars , also known by the abbreviations and SAS, are a Japanese rock band formed in Kanagawa in 1974. The band is composed of Keisuke Kuwata (lead vocals and guitars), Yuko Hara (vocals and keyboards), Kazuyuki Sekiguchi (bass), (drums) and (pe ...

, as well of his own solo band, the Kuwata band. He has also done a significant amount of scoring music for films. He went to

Aoyama Gakuin University is a private Christian university in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Originally established in 1874 by missionaries from the Methodist Episcopal Church, it was reconfigured in its current form in 1949 as tertiary component of the Aoyama Gakuin. The u ...

. In 2010, Southern All Stars was ranked No. 1, and Kuwata's solo band, the Kuwata Band, ranked No. 12 on

HMV Japan HMV is an international music and entertainment retailer, founded in 1921. The brand is owned by Hilco Capital and operated by Sunrise Records, except in Japan, where it is owned and operated by Lawson (store), Lawson. The inaugural shop was ...

's list of the top 100 musicians in Japan. Kuwata has worked as a record producer, a movie director, has recorded albums as bandleader of his own band, the Kuwata Band, and has worked on projects

scoring SCORE may refer to: *SCORE (software), a music scorewriter program * SCORE (television), a weekend sports service of the defunct Financial News Network *SCORE! Educational Centers *SCORE International, an offroad racing organization *Sarawak Corrido ...

music to film.

Biographical information

Keisuke Kuwata was born February 26, 1956, and raised in

Chigasaki is a Cities of Japan, city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 242,798 and a population density of 6800 people per km2. The total area of the city is . Geography The city is located on the eastern ban ...

Kanagawa Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Kanagawa Prefecture is the List of Japanese prefectures by population, second-most populous prefecture of Japan at 9,221,129 (1 April 2022) and third-dens ...

, Japan. Kuwata's wife,

Yuko Hara Yuko Hara (原由子 ''Hara Yūko'', born December 11, 1956, in Yokohama, Japan, nicknamed "Harabo") is the keyboardist for Southern All Stars. She is also a vocalist and writes many of her own songs. She is married to Keisuke Kuwata, the mul ...

, is also a member of the

. She is a vocalist and plays keyboards. The two met while in college, where they were in the same circle of musicians.　They married in 1982, after the success of the band's single Chako no Kaiganmonogatari, and invited 3000 fans of the band to their wedding reception. They share a love of the

blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...

and have two sons together. On July 28, 2010, Kuwata announced that he had been diagnosed with

esophageal cancer Esophageal cancer (American English) or oesophageal cancer (British English) is cancer arising from the esophagus—the food pipe that runs between the throat and the stomach. Symptoms often include dysphagia, difficulty in swallowing and weigh ...

.Pop Vocalist Keisuke Kuwata Diagnosed With Cancer
/ref> The operation to remove the cancer was successful and he has made several public appearances since June 2011.

Musical style

Kuwata plays guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. For one album, ''Suteki Na Mirai Wo Mite Hoshii'' (素敵な未来を見て欲しい), Kuwata played every musical instrument and recorded the entire album himself. Kuwata's Western musical influences are varied. Along with his wife, the band's keyboardist and backing vocalist, Yuko Hara, the couple have long been inspired by American

folk music Folk music is a music genre that includes #Traditional folk music, traditional folk music and the Contemporary folk music, contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be ca ...

, where preferences run from

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...

the Band The Band was a Canadian-American rock music, rock band formed in Toronto, Ontario, in 1957. It consisted of the Canadians Rick Danko (bass, guitar, vocals, fiddle), Garth Hudson (organ, keyboards, accordion, saxophone), Richard Manuel (piano, d ...

Blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...

, and Southern rock music, to British and American influences that are arguably pure

rock and Roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...

; with a flattering number of songs covered from the work of

Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English Rock music, rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s l ...

. Aside from Dylan, Kuwata's work has shown emphasis on music of the American South, including that of

Creedence Clearwater Revival Creedence Clearwater Revival, commonly abbreviated as CCR or simply Creedence, was an American Rock music, rock band formed in El Cerrito, California. The band consisted of lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter John Fogerty, h ...

and

Little Feat Little Feat is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California formed by lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George, bassist Roy Estrada (both formerly of the Mothers of Invention), keyboardist Bill Payne, and drummer Richie Hayward in ...

. Along with the Southern All Stars, Kuwata has performed with Little Feat on several occasions, and recorded

cover songs In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song released ...

from the band. He was a participant and performer in a

tribute A tribute (; from Latin ''tributum'', "contribution") is wealth, often in kind, that a party gives to another as a sign of submission, allegiance or respect. Various ancient states exacted tribute from the rulers of lands which the state con ...

concert to the late

Lowell George Lowell Thomas George (April 13, 1945 – June 29, 1979) was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He was the primary guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat. Before forming Little ...

, (Little Feat's original frontman), recording a medley on video that contained his version of " Dixie Chicken". In 1990, American musician

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Gen ...

released an English-language version of "Ellie My Love", a song whose music and original Japanese lyrics were written by Kuwata, on Charles's album '' Would You Believe?'' The song was already successful in Japan prior to the album's release, having been used in a Japanese television commercial. In 1991, Kuwata began a series of concerts, similar to ''

MTV Unplugged ''MTV Unplugged'' is an American television series on MTV. It showcases recorded live performances of popular music artists playing acoustic instrument, acoustic or "unplugged" variations of songs. The show aired regularly from 1989 to 1999. F ...

'' performances, called the "Acoustic Revolution", featuring Hirokazu Ogura on guitar, and Yoshiyuki Sahashi on

mandolin A mandolin (, ; literally "small mandola") is a Chordophone, stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally Plucked string instrument, plucked with a plectrum, pick. It most commonly has four Course (music), courses of doubled St ...

, along with other musicians using acoustic instruments. Here again, Dylan's influence shone through their work choosing standards including "

Like a Rolling Stone "Like a Rolling Stone" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on July 20, 1965, by Columbia Records. Its confrontational lyrics originated in an extended piece of verse Dylan wrote in June 1965, when he returned exhauste ...

". Kuwata also developed a love for rock music. The influence from

is strong and can be heard even when Kuwata performs songs in same manner and style as those that Clapton himself covered, and did not write. In addition, other artists covered have been

Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time. Inducted ...

Bob Marley Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, he fused elements of reggae, ska and rocksteady and was renowned for his distinctive voca ...

, and

Sam Cooke Samuel Cooke (; January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964) was an American singer and songwriter. Considered one of the most influential soul music, soul artists of all time, Cooke is commonly referred to as the "King of Soul" for his distin ...

. In 1994, the "On Air Music Fair", "

I Shot the Sheriff "I Shot the Sheriff" is a song written by Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley and released in 1973 with his band Bob Marley and the Wailers, the Wailers. Background The song was first released in 1973 on Bob Marley and the Wailers, the Wailers ...

" by

was performed by Kuwata and

Ann Lewis Ann C. Frank Lewis (born December 19, 1937) is an American Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party strategist. Lewis served as White House Communications Director in the Presidency of Bill Clinton, Clinton administration and in senio ...

Philanthropy

Kuwata has performed with his band, and collaborated with several others annually to donate money towards AIDS research and treatment. To draw the largest possible audiences, Kuwata performs additional Western songs so the concerts are more inclusive. Depending upon the year of the concert, sometimes the chosen songs have a theme. Kuwata has been joined in benefit concerts by other bands and musicians. Most notable is the frequent appearance of , a band featuring guitarists and . The band features a combination of

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

, and rock, along with their own combination of ambient experimental music. Yamagen is considered a "guitar support unit", in the same way Westerners would think of a

horn section A horn section is a group of musicians playing horns. In an orchestra or concert band, it refers to the musicians who play the "French" horn, and in a British-style brass band it is the tenor horn players. In many popular music genres, the term ...

. Some of these concert songs included: * 1996 Theme: Jazz Cafe * 1997 Theme: Kayou Suspense Theater * 1998 Theme: All Request Show * 1999 Theme: Eric Claptoso ** "

Little Wing "Little Wing" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1967. It is a slow tempo rhythm and blues-inspired ballad featuring Hendrix's vocal and guitar with recording studio effects accompanied by bass, drum ...

", by

, and "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?", recorded by Eric Clapton several decades earlier. * 2000 Theme: Best Songs of The 20th Century Selected By Kuwata * 2001 Theme: Plays The Beatles * 2003 Theme: Disco And Soul Of Glory * 2004 Theme: The Golden Age Of British Rock ** "

Time Time is the continuous progression of existence that occurs in an apparently irreversible process, irreversible succession from the past, through the present, and into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequ ...

" by

Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic music, psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experiments ...

, " Highway Star" by

Deep Purple Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal music, heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has varied throughout their career. Originally for ...

, "

We Will Rock You "We Will Rock You" is a song by the British rock band Queen from their 1977 album '' News of the World'', written by guitarist Brian May. ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it number 330 of " The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004, and the RIAA it p ...

" by

Queen Queen most commonly refers to: * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a kingdom * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen (band), a British rock band Queen or QUEEN may also refer to: Monarchy * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Q ...

. * 2006 Theme: Stars And Stripes Forever!? My American Heros ** "

Proud Mary "Proud Mary" is a song by American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, written by vocalist and lead guitarist John Fogerty. It was released as a single in January1969 by Fantasy Records and on the band's second studio album, '' Bayou Coun ...

" by

* 2008 Theme: Hitori Kohaku Utagassen 1 * 2009 Theme: Movie Songs * 2013 Theme: Hitori Kohaku Utagassen 2

Discography

Original albums

* ''Keisuke Kuwata'' (July 9, 1988) * ' ("孤独の太陽", ''The Sun of Solitude'') (September 23, 1994) * ''Rock and Roll Hero'' (September 26, 2002) * ''Musicman'' (February 23, 2011) * ''Garakuta'' ("がらくた", ''Junk'') (August 23, 2017)

Compilation albums

* ''From Yesterday'' (June 27, 1992) * ''Top Of The Pops'' (November 27, 2002) * ''I LOVE YOU -now & forever-'' (July 18, 2012) * ''Keisuke Kuwata - Itsuka Dokokade'' (2022)

Albums and DVDs

* ''Subete no Uta ni Zange shina – Live Tour '94'' * ''Kuwata Keisuke Act Against AIDS 2008 Shouwa 83 Nendo!Hitori'' * ''Live tour Garakuta'' (April 4, 2018）

Albums of the Kuwata Band, 1986

* ''Nippon No Rock Band'' (July 14) * ''Rock Concert'' – Live Album (December 5)

Singles of the Kuwata Band, 1986

* ''Ban Ban Ban'' (April 5) * ''Skipped Beat'' ("スキップ・ビート") (July 5) * ''Merry Christmas In Summer'' (July 5) * ''One Day'' (November 5)

Solo singles

* ''Kanashii Kimochi (Just a Man in Love)'' ("悲しい気持ち (JUST A MAN IN LOVE)", "Sad Feelings (Just a Man in Love)") (1987) * ''Itsuka Dokoka-de (I Feel the Echo)'' ("いつか何処かで (I FEEL THE ECHO)", "Somewhere Some Time (I Feel the Echo)") (1988) * ''Mayonaka-no Dandy'' ("真夜中のダンディー", "Midnight's Dandy") (1993) * ''Tsuki'' ("月", "Moon") (1994) * ''Matsuri-no-ato'' ("祭りのあと", "After the Carnival") (1994) * ''Naminori Jonny'' ("波乗りジョニー", "Surfing Jonny") (2001) * ''Shiroi koibitotachi'' ("白い恋人達", "White Lovers") (2001) * ''Tokyo'' ("東京") (2002) * ''Ashita Harerukana'' ("明日晴れるかな", "Will it Be Sunny Tomorrow?") (2007) * ''Kaze no Uta wo Kikasete'' ("風の詩を聴かせて", "Listen to the Wind's Song") (2007) * ''Darling'' ("ダーリン") (2007) * ''Kimi ni Sayonara wo'' ("君にサヨナラを", "Good-Bye to You") (2009) * ''Hontou ha Kowai Ai to Romance'' ("本当は怖い愛とロマンス", "In Fact, Fearful Love and Romance") (2010) * ''Asu heno March'' / ''Let's try again -kuwata keisuke ver.-'' / ''Hadaka DE Ondo -Matsuri da!! Naked-'' (2011) * ''Yin Yang'' / ''Namida wo Buttobase!!'' / ''Oishii Himitsu'' (2013) * ''Yoshiko-San'' ("ヨシ子さん") (2017) * ''Kimi heno Tegami'' ("君への手紙", "A Letter to You") (2017)

With Super Chimpanzee

* (1991) *

With Mr. Children

* ''Kiseki-no Hoshi'' ("奇跡の地球(ほし)", ''Earth of Miracle'') (1995)

With Yuzo Kamon

* ''Kuwata Keisuke, Yuzo Kamon & Victor Wheels Live!''(''嘉門雄三 & Victor Wheels Live!'' (1982)

Film work, record scoring

Kuwata directed the movie, ''Inamura Jane'', for which he composed the music. It was released on September 8, 1990, by Toho.''Inamura Jane''
/ref> Previously, he composed the music for ''Aiko 16-sai'' in 1983, which won the Award of the Japanese Academy for Newcomer of the Year, and the

Yokohama Film Festival The is an annual awards ceremony held in Yokohama, Japan. Ten films are chosen as the best of the year and various awards are given to personnel. The first festival, held on February 3, 1980, was a small affair by fans and film critics. In 1994, ...

's Festival Prize for Yasuko Tomita as Best New Actress. He has also written the scores for several Japanese films. Kuwata wrote the theme song, "Ashita Hareru Kana", featured in the popular Japanese television drama series,

Operation Love is a Japanese TV drama series that was aired on Fuji TV. The series started on April 16, 2007 and ended with 11 episodes on June 24, 2007. A special (SP) aired on March 25, 2008. A Korean remake of the series, Operation Proposal, starring ...

, which won the award for "Best Television Theme Song" at the 53rd Japanese Television Awards, in 2007.

Honors

* Medal with Purple Ribbon (2014)

References

External links

ASMART
–

Amuse, Inc. is a Japanese entertainment company that provides artist management services. The artists include idols, musicians, and more. Amuse produces TV and radio programs, commercial films, and movies. Other interests are in publication, music softwar ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kuwata, Keisuke 1956 births Living people Aoyama Gakuin University alumni Japanese male guitarists Japanese male rock singers Japanese multi-instrumentalists Japanese male singer-songwriters Southern All Stars members People from Chigasaki, Kanagawa Slide guitarists Singers from Kanagawa Prefecture Recipients of the Medal with Purple Ribbon Amuse Inc. talents 20th-century Japanese male singers 20th-century Japanese singer-songwriters 21st-century Japanese male singers 21st-century Japanese singer-songwriters