C-C-B
Also known asCoconut Boys
OriginJapan
GenresJ-Pop, Rock
Years active1982–1989, 2008
LabelsPolydor Records
Past membersWatanabe Hideki
Ryu Kouji
Sekiguchi Makoto
Taguchi Tomoharu
Yonekawa Hideyuki
Websitehttps://www.universal-music.co.jp/ccb/

C-C-B was a Japanese pop-rock band under Polydor Records label active in the years 1982–1989. At first, they were named CoConut Boys, however in 1985 the name changed to the initials, C-C-B. They became a nationwide success. In 2008, the band reformed once only with three members. The group's biggest hit, "Romantic ga Tomaranai", was used frequently in the Japanese television series Densha Otoko.

Members

CoConut Boys period

  • Tatsuya Yamamoto (山本達也): guitar, vocal
  • Yasufumi Yamashita (山下康文): guitar, vocal
  • Watanabe Hideki (渡辺英樹): bass, vocal
  • Ryu Koji (笠浩二): drum, vocal
  • Sekiguchi Makoto (関口誠人): guitar, vocal

C-C-B period

  • Hideki Watanabe (渡辺英樹, Watanabe Hideki, born 1 February 1960) (1979-2015; his death) - bass, vocal
  • Koji Ryu (笠浩二, Ryu Koji, born 8 November 1962) (1982-2022;his death) - drum, vocal
  • Makoto Sekiguchi (関口誠人, Sekiguchi Makoto, born 2 May 1959) (1982-present) - guitar, vocal
  • Tomoharu Taguchi (田口智治, Taguchi Tomoharu, born 27 October 1960) (1982-present) - keyboard, vocal
  • Hideyuki Yonekawa (米川英之, Yonekawa Hideyuki, born 3 March 1964) - guitar, vocal
    • After Makoto's departure in 1987, he replaced his vocal parts in the previous releases.

History

1982–1984: CoConut Boys

Although the band formation started in 1982, they wouldn't debut until June 1983 with the single Candy and the image as the Japanese-made Beach Boys. It was promoted as an image song for a Zen-Noh's Yogurts commercial. After the single release, two earlier members Yamashita and Yamamoto left the band. During the year, they released their debut album Mild Weekend.

In 1984, they released their second single, Hitomi Shoujo, with the two new members in, Yonekawa and Taguchi. The single was used as a commercial for Rohto Pharmaceutical's Rohto products. B-side track Chili Dog ga Okiniiri has been used as a commercial for car's brand Mazda Familia. During the year, they released their second original album Boy's Life. Both of their two singles and albums weren't successful enough and didn't enter the Best Ten or Oricon Rankings.

1985–1987: Commercial success and Sekiguchi's withdrawal

In 1985, the band name has been changed to the C-C-B with the Watanabe's explanation for ordinary people to find it easier to read and remember them.

After three years of no sales success and with the preparation for themselves to disband, their single Romantic ga Tomaranai has become their biggest and most well-sold single. It was used as a theme song to the Japanese television drama Maido Osawagaseshimasu. The single debuted at number 2 on the Oricon Weekly Single Rankings and remained at number 5 on Yearly Rankings. In the Best Ten rankings, they debuted at number 1 and remained at number 11 on Yearly Rankings. The single was rewarded as one of the best songs of the year along with the best arrangement of the year in the 27th Japan Record Awards.[1]

The following single, School Girl wasn't as big a success as a previous single, the sound reminded of their earlier times and maintained in the top 10 charts. While the single version is performed by drummer Ryu, the album version is renamed with School Boy and performed by Sekiguchi. The single debuted at number 6 on Oricon Single Weekly Charts and remained on number 52 on Yearly Charts. In the Best Ten rankings, the single debuted at number 5 and remained in yearly rankings at number 37.

Their third single in the 1985, "Lucky Chance wo Mou Ichido" is also one of their biggest hits - debuted at number 3 on Oricon Single Weekly Rankings and remained number 50 on Yearly rankings, while in Best Ten Rankings it debuted at number 1 and remained in the yearly rankings at number 13. The song gave the band's first appearance on the end of the year special Kouhaku Uta Gassen. The single won the Best Ballad Song Award at the 1986's FNS Kayousai.

The fourth single of the 1985, Kuusou Kiss reprised role to be used as a theme song to the second season of the Japanese television drama Maido Osawagaseshimasu. While the original single version is performed by bassist Watanabe, the album version has different arrangement and is performed by Sekiguchi. The single debuted at number 3 on Oricon Single Weekly Rankings and remained on number 28 on 1986 Yearly Rankings. In Best Ten rankings, it debuted at number 2 on weekly rankings and remained on number 36 on 1986 Yearly Rankings.

Their first single in 1986, Genkina Broken Heart song was nominated on Number 4 on 15th Tokyo Music Festival. The single debuted at number 2 on Oricon Single Weekly Rankings and remained at number 61 on Yearly Rankings. In the Best Ten rankings, it also debuted at number 2 on weekly charts and remained at number 28 on Yearly Charts.

Following single, Fushizen na Kimi ga Suki has the main vocalist Sekiguchi instead of Watanabe or Ryu. It was also the first single to be written by members themselves. The single debuted at number 2 on Oricon Single Weekly Charts and remained on number 80 on Yearly Charts. In Best Ten rankings, the single debuted at number 3 and remained in yearly charts at number 38. The single has received the Best Song Music Award in the 1986's FNS Music Festival.

In December, the band released single Naimononedari no I Want You before Sekiguchi's withdrawal from the band and start of his solo career. It was used as a theme song to the regular Japanese television drama series Maido Osawagaseshimasu. The single debuted at number 1 on Oricon Single Weekly Charts, became their first single which debuted at number 1 on weekly charts.[2] In the yearly 1987 charts it kept on number 65. On Best Ten rankings, it debuted at number 6 on weekly rankings and remained at number 35 on the Yearly Charts.

1987–1989: Sales decline and disbandment

On 6 April 1987, Sekiguchi officially left the band and the band started their activities as four-piece band.

On 3 June 1987 they've released single 2 Much, I Love U. The single debuted at number 2 on Oricon Single Weekly Charts and remained at number 98 on Yearly Charts. In the Best Ten ranking, they've debuted at number 2 and remained on number 84 on yearly charts.

On 23 September 1987, they've released single Genshoku Shitaine, which is their second single to be written by themselves. The single has received multiple promotional usage: it was used as commercial song to the Meiji Seika's chocolate Karukatta Wafer and theme song to the theatrical animated movie Shōri tōshu. The B-side track Love is Light has been used as an insert song to the movie as well.[3] The single debuted at number 3 on Oricon Single Weekly Charts. In the Best Ten rankings, the single debuted at number 3 on weekly charts and remained at number 78 on Yearly Charts.

On 2 December 1987, the single Dakishimetai has the Yonekawa in the charge of main vocalist, previously he was only in the charge of back-vocals and main guitar. In the media, it was used as a theme song to the TBS Japanese television series Discovery of the World's Mysteries. The single debuted at number 6 on Oricon Single Weekly Charts and on number 5 on Best Ten Weekly Charts. It's also their last appearance in the Best Ten music television program.

With the less television appearances and lower position in the weekly charts, the band has felt their weakness in the popularity with the following three final singles and change to their music style.

Although the single Love Letter, which was released in April 1988, debuted at number 3 on Oricon Single Weekly charts, it was not as popular and recognised by the audience and the single Shinjiteireba was their final single to debut in Top 10 Single Weekly Charts.

On 21 April 1989, the band has announced the disbandment and four days later released final single Love Is Magic with the poor debut position, at number 17 on Oricon Single Weekly Charts. On 9 October, the band held the final live performance in the Budokan.

1990–present: Members solo activities

After Sekiguchi left the band, he launched his solo activities through major recording label Pony Canon until 1992. During that time, Sekiguchi would write music for several artists including 1991 smash hit Futari Shizuka for singer Akina Nakamori. Since 2003 until the present (2023), he's active as a soloist under his own private music label Luxury Records.

After band's disband, each of the members launched their solo career and formed either member part of the independent bands: Ryu launched his solo activities through same recording label as during band times, Polydor Records until 1990 and was in temporal hiatus since 1993 until 1998. Since 1999 until his death in 2022, he continued his solo activities only as independent artist under his own private music label. From the 2010 until 2015, he was regularly invited to and appeared on television shows in which he sometimes performed Romantic ga Tomaranai.

Yonekawa launched his solo career in the 1990s with the vocal-guitar albums and with the following next century released only guitar solo music works. Sometimes, he provided music and participates in the music recordings for artists such as The Yellow Monkey and Eikichi Yazawa.

Watanabe formed various new indie bands and was musically active until 2015, when he died.[4]

Since the band's disband, Taguchi was member of the numerous of independent sessions, units and bands and was musically active until 2015, when he was arrested.[5] Since then until present (2023), there are no news regarding his musical activities.

1994–2022: Reunite attempts, Taguchi's arrest and member's eternal rest

In 1994, the band reunited for the first time in the special broadcast of Best Ten with all the members.

In 2004, some of the members reunited under the initials Yonetawataru (ヨネタワタル) which would hide the alphabets from their surnames. In 2011, they would change the band name from katakana into kanji initials: AJ-米田渡.

In 2005, the single Romantic ga Tomaranai was used as a commercial song to the Asahi Soft Drinks Canned coffee. With the increasing popularity of the song, it was used as a regular song to the television drama series Densha Otoko.

In 2007 the special skit C-C-B Goro was temporarily broadcast to the Japanese variety show SMAPxSMAP with the member Goro Inagaki with the visual copy of Ryu's outfit. On the special broadcast, the three members appeared for this occasion once in the street live to perform Romantic ga Tomaranai.[6]

In 2008, the band reunited for the first time in 19 years only with the three former members - Sekiguchi, Watanabe and Ryu and performed live in the Osaka, Tokyo and Nagoya.[7] The project of reunion disfunction in the 2009.

The July 2015 is marked as a painful year to the members and fans. On 2 July, Taguchi was arrested for the drug possession[5] and on 13 July, Watanabe died at the age of 55 due to multiple organ failure.[4][8] As the result, the unit project AJ has ended. In December 2022, Ryu died at age of 60 due to the cerebral infarction.[9][10] On the same month, Ryu received posthumously the Special Achievement Award at the 64th Japan Record Awards sponsored by the Japan Composers Association.[11]

Discography

As Coconut Boys

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Single Peak chart positions Format Label
JPN
Oricon

[12]
1983 Candy
- CD, LP, Cassette Kids
1984 Hitomi Shojo (瞳少女)
- CD, LP, Cassette

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Year Single Peak chart positions Format Label
JPN
Oricon

[12]
1983 Mild Weekend
- CD, LP, Cassette Kids
1984 Boy's Life
- CD, LP, Cassette

As C-C-B

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Single Peak chart positions Format Label
JPN
Oricon

[13]
1985 Romantic ga Tomaranai (Romanticが止まらない)
2 CD, LP, Cassette Polydor Records
School Girl (スクール・ガール)
8 CD, LP, Cassette
Lucky Chance wo Mou Ichido (Lucky Chanceをもう一度)
3 CD, LP, Cassette
Kuusou Kiss (空想Kiss)
CD, LP, Cassette
1986 Genki na Broken Heart (元気なブロークン・ハート)
2 CD, LP, Cassette
Fushizen na Kimi ga Suki (不自然な君が好き)
CD, LP, Cassette
Naimononedari no I Want You (ないものねだりのI Want You)
1 CD, LP, Cassette
1987 2 Much, I Love U.
2 CD, LP, Cassette
Genshoku Shitai ne (原色したいね)
3 CD, LP, Cassette
Dakishimetai (抱きしめたい)
6 CD, LP, Cassette
1988 Love Letter (恋文(ラブレター))
3 CD, LP, Cassette
Shinjite Ireba (信じていれば)
7 CD, LP, Cassette
1989 Love is Magic
7 CD, LP, Cassette
2005 Romantic ga Tomaranai Remix version (Romanticが止まらない)
17 CD Universal J
2008 Romantic ga Tomaranai (Romanticが止まらない)
- CD After Time Records

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Release Single Peak chart positions Format Label
JPN
Oricon

[13]
25 May 1985 Suteki na Beat (すてきなビート)
- CD, LP, Cassette, digital download Polydor Records
15 December 1985 Bokutachi No-No-No (僕たちNo-No-No)
- CD, LP, Cassette, digital download
18 June 1986 Bouken no Susume (冒険のススメ)
- CD, LP, Cassette, digital download
15 December 1986 Ai no Chikara Kobu (冒愛の力こぶ)
- CD, LP, Cassette, digital download
25 July 1987 Ishi wa Yappari Katai (石はやっぱりカタイ)
- CD, LP, Cassette, digital download
25 May 1988 Hashire☆Bandman (走れ☆バンドマン)
- CD, LP, Cassette, digital download
15 December 1988 Shinjiteireba (信じていれば)
- CD, LP, Cassette, digital download

Live album

List of live albums, with selected chart positions
Release Single Peak chart positions Format Label
JPN
Oricon

[13]
4 July 2014 C-C-B 1989 Kaisan Live@Nippon Budoukan (C-C-B 1989 解散ライブ@日本武道館)
- CD USM Japan

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions
Release Single Peak chart positions Format Label
JPN
Oricon

[13]
25 June 1985 Tanoshii Natsuyasumi (楽しい夏休み)
- CD, Casette tape Polydor Records
25 March 1987 MAX-MEGA-MIX
- CD, Casette tape
1 June 1989 The Best of C-C-B Vol.1
- CD, Casette tape
1 September 1989 The Best of C-C-B Vol.2
- CD, Casette tape
25 January 1992 C-C-B Super Best
- CD, Casette tape
1 November 1993 Best 2500/Romantic ga Tomaranai (ベスト2500/Romanticが止まらない)
- CD
26 October 1994 SINGLE COLLECTION
- CD
21 November 1996 Special 1800 (スペシャル1800)
- CD
30 June 1999 Treasure Collection
- CD
19 December 2001 Super Value C-C-B (スーパー・バリュー/C-C-B)
- CD
26 November 2003 GOLDEN☆BEST C-C-B
- CD USM Japan
18 January 2006 Prime Selection C-C-B (プライム・セレクション C-C-B)
- CD
30 August 2006 Uta ga Utaitai!Best Hit&Karaoke C-C-B (歌が唄いたい!!ベストヒット&カラオケ C-C-B)
- CD
22 August 2007 Essential Best C-C-B (エッセンシャル・ベスト C-C-B)
- CD
4 June 2014 C-C-B Single&Album Best (C-C-B シングル&アルバム・ベスト)
- CD
21 March 2018 Essential Best 1200 C-C-B (エッセンシャル・ベスト 1200 C-C-B)
- CD
21 March 2023 C-C-B THE SINGLE COLLECTION
- CD

Videography

Video albums

List of compilation video albums, with selected chart positions
Release Single Peak chart positions Format Label
JPN
Oricon

[13]
25 November 1985 Adventure of C-C-B no Bouken (Adventure of C-C-B C-C-Bの大冒険)
- VHS, LD, Betamax Polydor Records
5 July 1986 C-C-B Live (C-C-B LIVE晴)
- VHS, LD, Betamax
25 May 1987 C-C-B LIVE TOUCH AND GO!
- VHS, LD, Betamax
1 September 1989 C-C-B VIDEO CLIP COLLECTION
- VHS, LD, Betamax
25 November 1989 C-C-B FINAL CONCERT TOUCH DOWN vol.1 / vol.2
- VHS, LD, Betamax
29 September 2004 C-C-B Memorial DVD Box (C-C-B メモリアル DVD BOX)
- DVD USM Japan

References

  1. "第27回 日本レコード大賞". jacompa.or.jp. Archived from the original on 2019-11-03. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  2. Oricon Album Chart Book Complete Edition 1970-2005. オリコン・マーケティング・プロモーション. 25 April 2006. ISBN 4871310779.
  3. "作品紹介 勝利投手 (主題歌 and 挿入歌)". Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan.
  4. 1 2 "渡辺英樹、逝去のお知らせ". 渡辺英樹オフィシャルブログ『COLORS』. 2015-07-17. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
  5. 1 2 "C-C-B元メンバーを逮捕 覚せい剤所持容疑". Kanaroko. 神奈川新聞社.
  6. "伝説のユニット・GO-BANG'Sが15年ぶりに一夜限りの再結成". Oricon.
  7. "ロマンティックは止まらなかった!C-C-Bが復". Barks.
  8. "C-C-B渡辺英樹さん死去 55歳". Oricon News.
  9. "C-C-B笠浩二さん死去 60歳 「Romanticが止まらない」がヒット". ORICON NEWS. oricon ME. 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  10. "C-C-B笠浩二さんが脳梗塞で死去、60歳【報告全文】「Romanticが止まらない」大ヒット". デイリースポーツ online. 株式会社デイリースポーツ. 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  11. "第64回日本レコード大賞". 公益社団法人日本作曲家協会. 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  12. 1 2 "CoConut BoysのCD・DVDリリース一覧". Oricon. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "C-C-BのCD・DVDリリース一覧". Oricon. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  • Official website through Universal Music Japan
  • Official Blog (Web-Archived)
  • UpHill (Web-Archived)
  • Official MySpace (Web-Archived)

Authority

Musicbrainz.org page ISNI

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