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Creation (Japanese band)

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Creation (Japanese band), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 20259 sources
Blues Creation / Creation
Company typeMusical group
IndustryMusic
FoundedJanuary 1969; 57 years ago (1969-01)
FounderKazuo Takeda, Koh Eiryu, Fumio Nunoya
Defunct1984 (1984)
SuccessorCreation (band)
Headquarters
Tokyo
,
Japan
Key people
Kazuo Takeda (guitarist, vocalist)
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

Blues Creation is a Japanese rock ensemble fronted by guitarist and vocalist Kazuo Takeda. Established initially as Blues Creation in Tokyo in January 1969, the group holds the distinction of being Japan’s pioneering blues band before evolving their style toward blues rock by 1971. That same year, they issued two significant albums: Demon & Eleven Children and Carmen Maki/Blues Creation, the latter featuring a partnership with singer Carmen Maki. These releases are widely recognized as foundational works in the development of Japanese rock music.

Following a short-lived breakup, the band reassembled under the name Creation in 1972. They embarked on extensive tours, becoming the first Japanese band to perform across the United States and also the first Japanese rock group to appear at the Nippon Budokan. Their recording activities continued until their dissolution in 1984. Since 2005, Takeda has intermittently returned to Japan to collaborate with various artists under the Creation banner.

Blues Creation (1969–1972)

In January 1969, guitarists Kazuo Takeda and Koh Eiryu, along with vocalist Fumio Nunoya, formed Blues Creation following the disbandment of their previous group, The Bickies. The initial lineup was somewhat unstable. Takeda’s vision was to establish a band centered on blues music, asserting that they were Japan’s inaugural blues band, albeit not confined strictly to that genre. The name was derived by merging "blues" with "Creation," selected for its phonetic appeal. Most members were teenagers when they embarked on a month-long tour starting January 1, 1969. At this stage, Hiromi Ohsawa served as the lead singer.

Despite blues being relatively obscure in Japan at that time, Blues Creation earned respect within the music industry through their live shows in Shinjuku. After three months of performing, they secured a contract with Polydor Records. Takeda recalled that record labels were searching for fresh sounds and that their enigmatic image helped clinch the deal. Their self-titled debut album was released in October 1969 and consisted solely of American blues covers tailored to complement Nunoya’s vocal style; it was recorded over approximately two days. Soon after the album’s release, Nunoya and drummer Shinichi Tashiro departed; Nunoya went on to establish Dew, pursuing more experimental musical directions. Ohsawa returned as vocalist while Masayuki Higuchi replaced Tashiro on drums around 1970-71. During this period, the band transitioned toward blues rock with Takeda composing original material.

With bassist Masashi Saeki joining, Blues Creation signed with Nippon Columbia's Denon label, which granted them significant artistic freedom. In August 1971, they simultaneously released two albums: Demon & Eleven Children, featuring their first collection of original songs, and Carmen Maki/Blues Creation, a collaboration with Carmen Maki, who had shifted from folk to rock vocals. Maki had previously rejected major label contracts to focus on rock music; Nippon Columbia secured her by involving Blues Creation in the project. Both records are credited with establishing the groundwork for Japanese rock music. Demon & Eleven Children achieved legendary status due to its raw, proto-metallic acid rock style.

By mid-1971, relentless touring had exhausted the band members, leading to their breakup by the end of that year. Higuchi went on to form Oz alongside Maki, while Takeda briefly led the power trio Bloody Circus before moving to London with bassist Shigeru Matsumoto.

Creation (1972–1984, 2005–present)

Takeda made his return to Japan in 1972, reuniting with Matsumoto, Higuchi, and Ohsawa, and the group was renamed "Creation" to signify an expanded musical vision.[1] Following Ohsawa's exit in 1973, Takeda took over as lead vocalist, while Yoshiaki Iijima joined as a second guitarist.[1] Over the next three years, they were highly active, including serving as backing musicians for Yuya Uchida.[1] Their debut album, titled Creation, was released in 1975 under Uchida’s production and featured a striking cover design. Takeda's relationship with American bassist Felix Pappalardi—formed after opening for Mountain and collaborating on stage—resulted in Pappalardi producing their sophomore album and joining the band as lead singer.[2] The joint album Creation/Felix Pappalardi was recorded at Bearsville Studios and released in April 1976, followed by tours across the United States and Australia with prominent acts such as Kiss, Yes, Fleetwood Mac, and Santana.[3] That same year, Creation made history as the first Japanese rock band to headline at Nippon Budokan.[4]

After parting company with Pappalardi, Creation put out Pure Electric Soul in 1977, once again produced by Uchida and distinguished by its daring cover art.[5] This album was ranked number 62 on Rolling Stone Japan’s list of the greatest Japanese rock albums,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name while its track "Spinning Toe-Hold" was honored as a top guitar instrumental by Young Guitar Magazine in 2019.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Takeda named the piece after wrestler Dory Funk Jr.’s signature move; subsequently, the Funk brothers adopted it as their entrance music.[6]

In 1980, the band underwent a lineup change with Ai Takano stepping in as lead vocalist.[6] Their fifth studio effort, The Land of the Rising Sun, was released that May.[6] The following year, their single "Lonely Heart" achieved significant popularity as the ending theme for the television program Pro Hunter, peaking at number 8 on the Oricon Singles Chart and selling nearly 380,000 copies over a span of 29 weeks. This success facilitated appearances on programs such as The Best Ten.[7][8] Notably, this single marked the first time the band used the Japanese spelling , a strategic decision recommended by their production company's president. After twelve years of activity, Creation disbanded in October 1984; Takeda subsequently formed Takeda Kazuo & Boys on Rocks from 1987 to 1991.[8]

Following his move to Los Angeles in 1997, Kazuo Takeda embarked on solo ventures and session work, acknowledging Pappalardi’s influence for inspiring his exploration into jazz and other genres.[3][6] In 2002, he produced records for Hong Kong blues musician Tommy Chung. Takeda revived Creation during the Crossover Japan festival in 2005 and brought Blues Creation back together for a one-night performance in Tokyo in 2008.[2] In 2014, Creation released Resurrection, their first album after a thirty-year hiatus.[7] As of 2023, Takeda continues to perform twice yearly in Japan with both Creation and his solo project Flash Kaz & The Comets, featuring a rotating roster of former members and guest artists reminiscent of early Blues Creation arrangements.[9]

Blues Creation

  • The Blues Creation (1969)
  • Demon & Eleven Children (1971)
  • Carmen Maki/Blues Creation (1971) – collaboration between Carmen Maki and Blues Creation
  • Hakunetsu no Blues Creation Live! (1989, live recording)
  • In the Beginnings (2005, live recording)

Creation

  • Creation (1975)
  • Creation/Felix Pappalardi (1976) – joint album by Creation and Felix Pappalardi
  • Pure Electric Soul (1977)
  • The Super Best (1978, compilation album)
  • Super Rock in the Highest Voltage (1978)
  • Studio Live! (1979, live recording)
  • Creation Greatest Hits (1979, compilation album)
  • The Land of the Rising Sun (1980)
  • Lonely Heart (1981)
  • Rock City (1981, compilation release)
  • Just Arrive (1982)
  • Just Alive (1982, live recording)
  • Running On (1982)
  • Songs for a Friend (1983) – Kazuo Takeda with Creation
  • Rainy Nite Dreamer (1984) – Kazuo Takeda with Creation
  • Best of (1989, compilation album)
  • Creation with Felix Pappalardi Live at Budokan 1976 (2007, live recording) – featuring Felix Pappalardi
  • Resurrection (2014)
  • 1974 One Step Festival (2018, live recording) – Creation alongside Yuya Uchida

External links

  • Official website
  • Archived In Rock magazine feature covering Blues Creation and Creation
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named reminder3
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named babyint
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named firstjapus
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named firstjapbudo
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Cope
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named reminder4
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named oriresur
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named reminder5
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named reminder6

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