Yonin Bayashi

Yonin Bayashi (四人囃子) is a legendary Japanese rock group which was popular in the 1970's.

They made their debut record Isshoku Sokuhatsu(一触即発) in 1974 when they were all at the age of 20. Their virtuoso performance and experiment in studio were very exceptional and impressive at the dawn of Japanese rock business.

In the beginning, the band was lead by singer-guitarist Katsutoshi Morizono and Drummer Daiji Okai. The sound was like a mixture of Pink Floyd, Yes, Deep Purple or Frank Zappa with Hendrixed guitar and Procol Harum-like drumming. After the first guitarist and bassist left, the band was fronted by guitarist Mitsuru Sato. 2nd bassist Masahide Sakuma brought feelings of Talking Heads or King Crimson in the 80's.

They broke up in 1979 but reforms the group sporadically in almost original lineup.

In 2003, HMV Records Japan rated them #86 in their "Top 100 Japanese pops Artists".

External links

• HMV Japan "Top 100 Japanese pops Artists" (in Japanese)

ja:四人囃子