Artist Profile
The Front RowThe Front Row consists of four members: Taro Kawasaki (Gt, Vo), Masahiko Sato (Gt), Kazuhiko Kasayama (B), and Kanata Murata (D). The band respects and embodies the music of the 60s and 70s, including SOUL, BLACK MUSIC, FUNK, and AOR. Taro Kawasaki, who writes lyrics and composes music, has released four CDs with a style influenced by Western music, mainly SOUL MUSIC and ROCK, and domestic artists such as Tatsuro Yamashita, Kazuto Murata, and Piper, and is currently working on his fifth album. The fifth album will include songs by core member Sato.The Front Row was named by Harry Ray of the Philadelphia sweet soul group, The Moments. The Moments moved from their old label, Stang, to Polydor in 1979 and changed their name to Ray, Goodman & Brown. When they first came to Japan in 1991, Kawasaki, a big fan of theirs, attended all of their shows and became kindred spirits.I was thrilled to have the opportunity to sing with them on stage on the final day. When they came to Japan again in 1992 as The Stylistics, my friendship with them deepened and I was looking forward to receiving singing lessons from Harry, but the following year in 1993 I was shocked to hear the news of Harry's death.
In 1992 Harry said to me, "I'll name Taro's band," and came up with six candidates for the name The Front Row.He handed me a note saying, "Choose your favorite from this." He also carefully explained the meaning of each of the six words in the group's name. The group's name, The Front Row, was chosen because Kawasaki had been in the "front row" watching all of Ray, Goodman & Brown's performances during their first visit to Japan.
Genre: J-Pop, R&B/SoulActive Area: TokyoOrigin: TokyoStart Year: 2000
MEMBER
Taro.KawasakiRole: Lyricist, Composer, Guitar, VocalsBirthday: 1962/04/09
masahiko.satouRole: GuitarBirthday: 1963/07/02
kazuhiko.sakuyamaRole: Guitar, Bass GuitarBirthday: 1964/05/22
kanata.murataRole: Drums