The Alfee

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The Alfee
Also known asAlfie, The KanLeKeeZ
OriginTokyo, Japan
Genres
Years active1973–present
LabelsVictor, Pony Canyon, EMI, Universal/Virgin
MembersMasaru Sakurai
Kohnosuke Sakazaki
Toshihiko Takamizawa
Past membersYasuo Miyake
Websitewww.alfee.com

The Alfee (formerly spelled Alfie) is a Japanese rock band formed in Tokyo in 1973. Originally a folk quartet,[2] they became a trio of bassist Masaru Sakurai, acoustic guitarist Kohnosuke Sakazaki and electric guitarist Toshihiko Takamizawa in 1975. With all three performing vocal duties, they adopted a harder rock sound in the early 1980s.[2] Beginning with their 16th single "Marie-Anne" in 1983, they have released 57 consecutive top 10 singles.[3] The Alfee hold the record for most concerts performed by a Japanese band, with 2,864 as of July 2023.[3] HMV Japan ranked them number 92 on their list of the top 100 Japanese pop acts.[2]

History

After moving to Tokyo in 1970, Masaru Sakurai formed a three-piece band at Meiji Gakuin Senior High School called Confidence (コンフィデンス), which covered Western music acts such as Simon & Garfunkel.[2] In 1972, they entered a folk music contest sponsored by Victor and won. There, Sakurai met Kohnosuke Sakazaki, who joined the group later that year.[2] Sakurai and Sakazaki both enrolled in Meiji Gakuin University. There, they recruited Toshihiko Takamizawa, who was also a classmate of Sakurai's in high school.[2] Confidence changed their name to Alfie in 1973, and released their first single "Natsu Shigure" on August 25, 1974.[2] Their first album, Seishun no Kioku (re-titled Greenhorn on most re-issues), was released on July 25, 1975. Yasuo Miyake then left the group, leaving the lineup of Sakurai, Sakazaki and Takamizawa, which continues to this day. The song "Fuchutorimono Hikae" was set to be released as their third single on December 10, 1975, the day the statute of limitations expired for the 300 million yen robbery, which is parodied in the lyrics.[4] However, Victor cancelled its release due to the connection, causing a rift between the band and their label. (The song would finally be released in 2014 as part of a re-release of Seishun no Kioku that coincided with the band's 40th anniversary.[4]) Alfie produced no further music for Victor. Instead, they acted as the backing band for artists such as Hiroshi Kamayatsu.[2] In 1979, they signed with Pony Canyon (then known as Canyon Records), changed the spelling of their name to Alfee, and released "Love Letter" as their third single on January 21.[2]

In 1983, their song "Marie-Anne" became a massive hit.[2] That year, Alfee performed at the Nippon Budokan for the first time. This began a 35-year tradition of them performing at the venue every year, until 2019, when renovations for the 2020 Summer Olympics ended the streak.[5] The band added "The" in front of their name in 1986.

With their 50th single, "Taiyō ha Shizumanai", released in August 2002, The Alfee set a Japanese record for 35 consecutive top 10 singles on the Oricon Singles Chart.[2]

In March 2014, Sakurai, Sakazaki and Takamizawa were presented with honorary degrees from Meiji Gakuin University, their alma mater where they had formed The Alfee.[6] In the 1970s, Takamizawa had dropped out of the school, while Sakurai and Sakazaki were expelled.[7] At a December 2015 concert at the Nippon Budokan, The Alfee performed as an alterego band named The KanLeKeeZ. The idea was, with all three members having reached their 60s, they decided to pay tribute to group sounds bands of the 1960s.[8] The KanLeKeeZ released the album G.S. meets The KanLeKeeZ on December 21, 2016.[8] It won a Planning Award at the 59th Japan Record Awards in 2017.[9]

Due to providing the theme song to Kansai TV's broadcast of the Osaka International Women's Marathon for 31 consecutive years from 1987 until 2018, when the broadcaster announced they would no longer use themes, The Alfee were certified with the Guinness World Record for "Most theme songs sung by the same artist for the same international sports event broadcast on TV" in December 2018.[10][11][12]

With the release of "Kyō no Tsudzuki ga Mirai ni Naru" in July 2021, The Alfee achieved 55 consecutive top 10 singles on the Oricon Singles Chart. This tied them with SMAP and AKB48 for second place, behind Arashi with 58.[13]

Members

  • Masaru Sakurai (桜井 賢, Sakurai Masaru): Born (1955-01-20) January 20, 1955 (age 69) in Chichibu, Saitama. Vocals, bass guitar[2]
  • Kohnosuke Sakazaki (坂崎 幸之助, Sakazaki Kōnosuke): Born (1954-04-15) April 15, 1954 (age 70) in Sumida, Tokyo. Vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, former bandleader[2]
  • Toshihiko Takamizawa (高見沢 俊彦, Takamizawa Toshihiko): Born (1954-04-17) April 17, 1954 (age 70) in Warabi, Saitama. Vocals, electric guitar, main songwriter, bandleader since 1983.[2] Also has a solo career as "Takamiy".

Former members

  • Yasuo Miyake (三宅康夫): Born (1955-01-08) January 8, 1955 (age 69). Vocals, guitar (1973–1975)

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Other albums

  • One Night Dreams 1983–1987: Special Live Edition (September 17, 1987, live album)
  • The Alfee Classics with London Symphony Orchestra (March 21, 1990, remix album)
  • Confidence -The Alfee Acoustic Special Live- (July 21, 1993, live album)
  • Live in Progress (July 21, 1995, live album)
  • The Alfee Classics II: The Alfee with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (December 16, 1996, remix album)
  • The Alfee Classics III: The Alfee with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (November 16, 2001, remix album)
  • 40th Anniversary Special Concert at Nippon Budokan (デビュー40周年 スペシャルコンサート at 日本武道館, March 18, 2015, live album)

Singles

Video releases

Titles are listed chronologically, oldest at the top. The titles are listed in English translation first, followed by the original Japanese, (a rōmaji transliteration in parentheses) and the original release date of the video in parentheses (if known). If title is in English, the title will be shown only once.

VHS

  • Over Drive 1983 Alfee 8.24 Budokan (October 21, 1983)
  • Flying Away Alfee in Yokohama Stadium 1984.8.3 Fri (September 21, 1984)
  • Alfee 3 Days 1985.8/27/28/29 Yokohama Stadium (October 15, 1985)
  • The Alfee 1986 8.3 Sweat & Tears Tokyo Bay-Area (October 5, 1986)
  • 1986 12.24 Christmas Special All Night The Alfee (May 21, 1987)
  • Sunset－Sunrise 1987 Aug.8-9 (September 30, 1987)
  • Meigaku Live 3 November 1987 (June 21, 1988)
  • All Over Japan 4 Access Area 1988 (October 5, 1988)
  • The Alfee in Crash
    THE ALFEE in 激突 (The Alfee in Gekitotsu) (December 21, 1988)
  • The Alfee with Jean Paul Gaultier (June 14, 1989)
  • U.S. Camp Drake ASC The ALfee 1989.8.13 Sun (October 4, 1989)
  • Bridge Across the Future Reel I (October 3, 1990)
  • Bridge Across the Future Reel II (October 3, 1990)
  • The Alfee History I 1982～1985 (October 3, 1990)
  • Arcadia Included by Count Down 1999 (November 21, 1990)
  • Long Way to Freedom Revolution II & Smile Photo Collection (March 27, 1991)
  • 10th Summer: Since 1991
    10 回目の夏 －Since 1991- (10kaime no Natsu -Since 1991-) (October 2, 1991)
  • The Alfee History II 1986～1991 (March 25, 1992)
  • Just Live! (October 7, 1992)
  • Video Clips Victory (July 21, 1993)
  • Victory Stadium Silver Night Special (October 21, 1993)
  • Victory Stadium Gold Night Special (October 21, 1993)
  • King's Night Dream Western Conference Final (October 5, 1994)
  • King's Night Dream Eastern Conference Final (October 5, 1994)
  • Phantom Night Festival: Red Phantom Eve
    幻夜祭 Red Phantom Eve (Gen'yosai Red Phantom Eve) (October 4, 1995)
  • Phantom Night Festival: Blue Phantom Eve
    幻夜祭 Blue Phantom Eve (Gen'yosai Blue Phantom Eve) (October 4, 1995)
  • 1982-1997 Osaka International Ladies Marathon Song by The Alfee
    1982－1994大阪国際女子マラソンSong by THE ALFEE (1982-1994 Osaka Kokusai Joshi Marason Song by The Alfee) (January 19, 1996)
  • Yokohama Red Bricks I (October 2, 1996)
  • Yokohama Red Bricks II (October 2, 1996)
  • The Alfee Classics: Fusion
    The Alfee Classics ～融合～ (The Alfee Classics ~Yūgō~) (March 19, 1997)
  • Emotional Field Heat & Beat Emotion I (October 16, 1997)
  • Emotional Field Heat & Beat Emotion II (October 16, 1997)
  • The Alfee History III 1992～1997 (October 17, 1997)
  • Tokyo One Night Dream (October 16, 1998)
  • The Alfee in NY at Forest Hills Stadium 1st. July.1998 (December 16, 1998)
  • Millennium Carnival I (October 14, 1999)
  • Millennium Carnival II (November 17, 1999)
  • The Alfee in Berlin at Brandenburg Tour 26th, September 1999 (December 22, 1999)
  • The Alfee Millennium Final in Osaka －Live at Osakajyo-Hall “A.D.1999” (March 16, 2000)
  • Tokyo Aube Stadium Alfee Classics Night (October 16, 2000)
  • Tokyo Aube Stadium Alfee Rockdom Night (October 16, 2000)
  • The Alfee: The Best Ten & "The Surprise on that Day!" Complete Edition 2000
    THE ALFEE ザ・ベストテン＆「ある日ィ突然！」Complete edition 2000 (The ALfee Za Besuto Ten & "Aru Hii Totsuzen!" Complete Edition 2000) (December 22, 2000)
  • Count Down 2001 Hello Good－bye (March 28, 2001)
  • Kingdom Chapter I: Grateful Birth (November 16, 2001)
  • Kingdom Chapter II: Never Ending Dream (November 16, 2001)
  • The Alfee History IV 1997～2001 (March 27, 2002)
  • Legend of The Stadium V Gold Legend (November 20, 2002)
  • Legend of The Stadium V Silver Legend (November 20, 2002)
  • Yokohama Swinging Generation: Generation Dynamite Day Aug.16 (November 19, 2003)
  • Yokohama Swinging Generation: Swinging Generation Day Aug.17 (November 19, 2003)

LD

  • Over Drive 1983 Alfee 8.24 Budokan (October 21, 1983)
  • Flying Away Alfee in Yokohama Stadium 1984.8.3 Fri (September 21, 1984)
  • Alfee 3 Days 1985.8/27/28/29 Yokohama Stadium (October 15, 1985)
  • The Alfee 1986 8.3 Sweat & Tears Tokyo Bay-Area (October 5, 1986)
  • Sunset－Sunrise 1987 Aug.8-9 (September 30, 1987)
  • Meigaku Live 3 November 1987 (June 21, 1988)
  • All Over Japan 4 Access Area 1988 (October 5, 1988)
  • U.S. Camp Drake ASC The ALfee 1989.8.13 Sun (October 4, 1989)
  • Bridge Across the Future Reel I (October 3, 1990)
  • Bridge Across the Future Reel II (October 3, 1990)
  • The Alfee History I 1982～1985 (October 3, 1990)
  • Long Way to Freedom Revolution II & Smile Photo Collection (March 27, 1991)
  • 10th Summer: Since 1991
    10 回目の夏 －Since 1991- (10kaime no Natsu -Since 1991-) (October 2, 1991)
  • The Alfee History II 1986～1991 (March 25, 1992)
  • Just Live! (October 7, 1992)
  • Video Clips Victory (July 21, 1993)
  • Victory Stadium Silver Night Special (October 21, 1993)
  • Victory Stadium Gold Night Special (October 21, 1993)
  • King's Night Dream Western Conference Final (October 5, 1994)
  • King's Night Dream Eastern Conference Final (October 5, 1994)
  • Phantom Night Festival: Red Phantom Eve
    幻夜祭 Red Phantom Eve (Gen'yosai Red Phantom Eve) (October 4, 1995)
  • Phantom Night Festival: Blue Phantom Eve
    幻夜祭 Blue Phantom Eve (Gen'yosai Blue Phantom Eve) (October 4, 1995)
  • Yokohama Red Bricks I (October 2, 1996)
  • Yokohama Red Bricks II (October 2, 1996)
  • The Alfee Classics: Fusion
    The Alfee Classics ～融合～ (The Alfee Classics ~Yūgō~) (March 19, 1997)
  • Emotional Field Heat & Beat Emotion I (October 16, 1997)
  • Emotional Field Heat & Beat Emotion II (October 16, 1997)
  • The Alfee History III 1992～1997 (October 17, 1997)
  • Tokyo One Night Dream (October 16, 1998)
  • The Alfee in NY at Forest Hills Stadium 1st. July.1998 (December 16, 1998)
  • Millennium Carnival I (October 14, 1999)
  • Millennium Carnival II (November 17, 1999)
  • The Alfee in Berlin at Brandenburg Tour 26th, September 1999 (December 22, 1999)

DVD

  • Over Drive 1983 Alfee 8.24 Budokan (October 21, 1983)
  • Flying Away Alfee in Yokohama Stadium 1984.8.3 Fri (September 21, 1984)
  • Alfee 3 Days 1985.8/27/28/29 Yokohama Stadium (October 15, 1985)
  • The Alfee 1986 8.3 Sweat & Tears Tokyo Bay-Area (October 5, 1986)
  • Sunset－Sunrise 1987 Aug.8-9 (September 30, 1987)
  • All Over Japan 4 Access Area 1988 (October 5, 1988)
  • U.S. Camp Drake ASC The ALfee 1989.8.13 Sun (October 4, 1989)
  • Bridge Across the Future Reel I (October 3, 1990)
  • Bridge Across the Future Reel II (October 3, 1990)
  • 10th Summer: Since 1991
    10 回目の夏 －Since 1991- (10kaime no Natsu -Since 1991-) (October 2, 1991)
  • The Alfee History II 1986～1991 (March 25, 1992)
  • Just Live! (October 7, 1992)
  • Victory Stadium Silver Night Special (October 21, 1993)
  • Victory Stadium Gold Night Special (October 21, 1993)
  • King's Night Dream Western Conference Final (October 5, 1994)
  • King's Night Dream Eastern Conference Final (October 5, 1994)
  • Phantom Night Festival: Red Phantom Eve
    幻夜祭 Red Phantom Eve (Gen'yosai Red Phantom Eve) (October 4, 1995)
  • Phantom Night Festival: Blue Phantom Eve
    幻夜祭 Blue Phantom Eve (Gen'yosai Blue Phantom Eve) (October 4, 1995)
  • Yokohama Red Bricks I (October 2, 1996)
  • Yokohama Red Bricks II (October 2, 1996)
  • Emotional Field Heat & Beat Emotion I (October 16, 1997)
  • Emotional Field Heat & Beat Emotion II (October 16, 1997)
  • Tokyo One Night Dream (October 16, 1998)
  • The Alfee in NY at Forest Hills Stadium 1st. July.1998 (December 16, 1998)
  • Millennium Carnival I (October 14, 1999)
  • Millennium Carnival II (November 17, 1999)
  • The Alfee in Berlin at Brandenburg Tour 26th, September 1999 (December 22, 1999)
  • Tokyo Aube Stadium Alfee Classics Night (October 16, 2000)
  • Tokyo Aube Stadium Alfee Rockdom Night (October 16, 2000)
  • The Alfee: The Best Ten & "The Surprise on that Day!" Complete Edition 2000
    THE ALFEE ザ・ベストテン＆「ある日ィ突然！」Complete edition 2000 (The ALfee Za Besuto Ten & "Aru Hii Totsuzen!" Complete Edition 2000) (December 22, 2000)
  • Count Down 1997 Emotion Live at Budokan Dec.24 (December 22, 2000)
  • Count Down 1998 Nouvelle Vague Live at Budokan Dec.24 (December 22, 2000)
  • Final Count Down A.D.1999 Live at Budokan Dec.24 (December 22, 2000)
  • Count Down 2001 Hello Good－bye (March 28, 2001)
  • Kingdom Chapter I: Grateful Birth (November 16, 2001)
  • Kingdom Chapter II: Never Ending Dream (November 16, 2001)
  • The Alfee History IV 1997～2001 (March 27, 2002)
  • Legend of The Stadium V Gold Legend (November 20, 2002)
  • Legend of The Stadium V Silver Legend (November 20, 2002)
  • Yokohama Swinging Generation Generation Dynamite Day Aug.16 (November 19, 2003)
  • Yokohama Swinging Generation: Swinging Generation Day Aug.17 (November 19, 2003)
  • Aube 2000 Live at Budokan Dec.24 (December 17, 2003)
  • Aube 2001 Glint Beat Live at Budokan Dec.24 (January 21, 2004)
  • Aube 2002 Transformation Live at Budokan Dec.24 (April 14, 2004)
  • The Alfee 30th Anniversary Video Clips II (September 15, 2004)
  • The Alfee History I-III DVD Box Special Edition (September 15, 2004)
  • The Alfee 30th Anniversary Travelin' Band Live at NHK Hall May 30 (October 14, 2004)
  • Love & Peace: A Day of Love Aug.14 (November 7, 2004)
  • Love & Peace: A Day of Peace Aug.15 (November 7, 2004)
  • 30th Anniversary Count Down: Time and Tide (March 30, 2005)

BE∀T BOYS Discography

Singles

  • [1981.08.05] Stars☆On 23 (スターズ☆オン23) (BEAT BOYS)
  • [1988.11.02] HE∀RTBRE∀K LONELY R∀IN
  • [1989.05.31] Dare Yori mo Lady Jane (誰よりもLady Jane; Lady Jane Over Anyone Else)
  • [1990.07.21] Futari Dake no Yoru (ふたりだけの夜; Night for Only Us)
  • [1996.04.03] Epicurean (エピキュリアン)
  • [1997.03.19] May Be

Albums

  • [1988.10.21] BE∀T BOYS TOJO!!
  • [1989.07.05] GO!GO! BE∀T BOYS!!

Videos

  • [1989.10.21] GRE∀T PROMOTION

References

  1. ^ a b c "THE ALFEE『友よ人生を語る前に』インタビュー" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. July 31, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023. ...THE ALFEEが持つプログレやハードロック、そして、フォークといったあらゆる音楽性を融合させながら、それぞれの輪郭をはっきり表現したナンバーだなと感じました。
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Top 100 Japanese pops Artists - No.92" (in Japanese). HMV Japan. August 31, 2003. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "THE ALFEE、結成50周年の夏「古希を恐れずまっしぐら!」" (in Japanese). Oricon. July 31, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "アルフィー（THE ALFEE）、幻の未発売シングル「府中捕物控」初CD収録決定" (in Japanese). Barks. November 19, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "THE ALFEE、日本武道館公演35年連続で途絶えるも…「初めての代々木、最高です!」" (in Japanese). Oricon. December 27, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  6. ^ "THE ALFEEメンバー全員が念願の「大卒」に" (in Japanese). Natalie. March 19, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  7. ^ "アルフィー明学大卒業で「やっと大卒」" (in Japanese). Daily Sports. March 19, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "「THE ALFEEには負けません！」平均年齢61.7歳The KanLeKeeZデビュー" (in Japanese). Natalie. October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "「レコ大」乃木坂、大知、欅坂、セカオワらノミネート＆アルバム賞はSuchmos" (in Japanese). Natalie. November 16, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  10. ^ "Most theme songs sung by the same artist for the same international sports event broadcast on TV". Guinness World Record. August 31, 2003. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  11. ^ "THE ALFEE、ギネス認定 坂崎「長生きするものですね」 公演数記録も更新" (in Japanese). Music Voice. December 25, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  12. ^ "３２年３１曲 大阪国際女子マラソン"ラストラン"アルフィーに労いの声" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. January 28, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  13. ^ "THE ALFEE、シングル55作連続TOP10入り 高見沢「バンドとは解散せずに長くやるもの」【本人コメントあり】" (in Japanese). Oricon. August 3, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2023.

External links

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