Vodka Collins

Vodka Collins was a Tokyo-based Japanese-American rock band, formed in 1971. The core band members were drummer Hiroshi Oguchi (formerly of The Tempters),[1] singer-guitarist Alan Merrill,[2] singer-guitarist Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu (formerly of The Spiders) [3] and bassist Take Yokouchi (formerly of the Four Leaves backing band, High Society).[4] In later reunion recordings in the 1990s, Yokouchi was replaced by Masayoshi "Mabo" Kabe (formerly of The Golden Cups) on bass guitar.[5]

For the cocktail, see Tom Collins.
Vodka Collins
Vodka Collins band, circa 1972.
Background information
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresGlam rock
Years active1971–1973, 1996-1999
LabelsToshiba EMI Records (1970s)
Polystar (1990s)
MembersHiroshi Oguchi, Alan Merrill, Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu, Take Yokouchi (until 1995) Masayoshi "Mabo" Kabe (1995-2000)

Most of the band's released works were original compositions by the lead singer Alan Merrill. The band recorded five albums,[6] the most well known being the glam rock album Tokyo - New York released in 1973 on Toshiba EMI Records. Other album titles are Chemical Reaction,[7] Pink Soup[8]', Boy's Life [9] and Boys In The Band.[10] The band's most notable contribution was recording and releasing the first single in the glam rock genre in Japanese, 1973's double a-sided single "Sands Of Time" and "Automatic Pilot" on Toshiba Express records.[11]

Vodka Collins were the opening act on the Jackson 5's first show in Japan on April 27, 1973 at the Imperial Theater in Tokyo. The show was broadcast live on Fuji Television.[12]

The band's founding member and drummer Hiroshi Oguchi died January 25, 2009.[13] A memorial concert was given for him by all surviving band members on January 25, 2010 at the Duo Exchange in Tokyo, with Grico Tomioka taking Oguchi's place on drums. The band's rhythm guitarist, Monsieur Kamayatsu, died on March 1, 2017.[14] Lead singer Alan Merrill hosted a memorial concert for Kamayatsu with star guests in Tokyo in April 2017 at the Duo Music Exchange.[15] Merrill and Kabe both died in 2020.

Discography

References
  1. Ishikawa, Hitomi. "The Tempters". 60spunk.m78.com.
  2. Sachs, Allan. "AlanMerrill.Com". Alanmerrill.com.
  3. "Spiders". 60spunk.m78.com.
  4. "Vodka Collins". Discogs.com. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  5. "Vodka Collins - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  6. "Vodka Collins". Discogs.com.
  7. "Vodka Collins - Chemical Reaction". Discogs.com.
  8. "Vodka Collins-"Pink Soup" CD Review- The Genius of Alan Merrill". Ludovicah.wordpress.com. 5 February 2016.
  9. "Boy's Life - Vodka Collins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  10. "Vodka Collins - Boys In The Band". Discogs.com.
  11. Wills, Robin (9 June 2015). "PUREPOP: Vodka Collins –Automatic Pilot". Purepop1uk.blogspot.com.
  12. "Vodka Collins - Music on Google Play". Play.google.com.
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2016-06-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "Hiroshi Kamayatsu - SecondHandSongs". Secondhandsongs.com.
  15. Cockle, George (28 March 2017). "George Cockle's Talking story: Alan Merrill "Concert For Monsieur"". Georgecockle.blogspot.com.
  16. "Vodka Collins – Tokyo New York". Discogs.com.
  17. "Chemical Reaction – Vodka Collins – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic.
  18. "Pink Soup – Vodka Collins – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic.
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