| Bow Wow | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Vow Wow, Bowwow |
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal |
| Years active | 1976–1990, 1995–present |
| Labels | Victor, Sony Music, Toshiba EMI, Arista (US), Rockcandy (US), Heavy Metal (EU), Roadrunner (EU) |
| Associated acts | Noiz, Whitesnake, Wild Flag |
| Website | Official site |
| Members | |
|
|
| Past members | |
|
|
Bow Wow is an influential hard rock band formed in 1975 in Japan. In September 2007, Rolling Stone Japan rated their album Warning from Stardust at #23 on its list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time".[1]
Contents |
Formed by guitarist and vocalist Kyoji Yamamoto in 1975, with guitarist Mitsuhiro Saito, bassist Kenji Sano and drummer Toshihiro Niimi, Bow Wow soon signed to Victor and released their self-titled debut a year later.[2] In 1977 they opened for Aerosmith and Kiss on their Japanese tours.[2] The following year they played overseas in Hong Kong and at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.[2] In 1982 they played the Reading Festival in England.[2] Guitarist Mitsuhiro Saito left in November 1983.
In 1984, the remaining three 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.[3] Now called Vow Wow, the band relocated to England in 1987 and were without a bassist for a short-time, as Kenji Sano stayed in Japan. Former Whitesnake bassist Neil Murray offered to join, and they began recording the album V with producer Kit Woolven (Thin Lizzy, David Bowie). They were asked by Tommy Vance to create the jingles for his British radio program, the Friday Rock Show. After another album, they recorded the classic hard rock anthem "Rock Me Now" and returned to Japan for a national tour. Although experiencing commercial success, Genki wanted to remain in Japan to begin a family. The band recorded an album titled Helter Skelter in 1989, which was handled by Tony Taverner (Gypsy Kings, Black Sabbath). After the album the band stayed in Japan, and seemed to dissolve when Neil joined Black Sabbath.
Shortly after, producers Nick Griffiths (Queen, Paul McCartney) and Bob Ezrin (Kiss, Pink Floyd) requested to create an album with them. The band regrouped without Neil, and recruited American studio bassist Mark Gould for their final album, Mountain Top. Vow Wow disbanded after a May 28, 1990 concert at the Nippon Budokan. Genki became a high school English teacher, while the other members each continued separate musical careers.
In May 1995, Kyoji reformed Bow Wow with all new members.[3] They had several releases until dissolving in March 1997. However, in 1998 original members Mitsuhiro Saito and Toshihiro Niimi rejoined Kyoji, and Bow Wow became a trio.[3] In August 2003 they performed in Daegu, South Korea at the O.K.! Crazy!! World Rock Festival. They returned the following year when their next album got a Korean release.
Genki Hitomi and Rei Atsumi reunited with Kyoji and Toshihiro for a Vow Wow reunion concert on December 25, 2009, and for two shows the following year on December 25 and 26.
Every VHS was re-released on DVD on June 14, 2006.