Takuro (musician)
Encyclopedia
Takuro Kubo is one of the guitarists and leader of the popular Japanese rock band Glay
. He is the main composer and lyricist of Glay's songs.
As a composer and a musician, Takuro has worked with different artists. He's also released solo works.
Takuro and his older sister were raised by a single mother, as she never re-married after his father's death, when Takuro was three years old. He considers his mother an early influence in his musical career, as he was strongly impressed by her singing.
Later on, during his adolescence, he would be influenced by John Lennon
, and would develop a great interest in writing lyrics. His lyrics are often based on his feelings about different situations in his life, as well as events in the world.
Takuro often expresses his opinion on different issues, and has been invited to write about different topics by newspapers. In 2007 he wrote a series of articles about his homeland, Hakodate for the Asahi newspaper. In 2006, he was quoted in an article about new concepts of Japanese family models in the Mainichi website. Being raised in a single mother family, he expressed his personal experience.
In 2001, together with Ryuichi Sakamoto
, Takuro started the "Artists Power", an organization that brings together musicians interested in being active in the search of alternative energy. The EXPO 2001 concert in Ishikari, Hokkaido, had part of its energy generated by alternative fuel and a booth displaying the genarators could be seen.
In 2003 Takuro released "Kyoukai", an auto-biographical book, in which he writes about his personal life and his musical work. The topics are his childhood in Hakodate and his career; among the subjects is a mysterious woman who he loved for ten years and who turned him down when he proposed marriage to her and for whom he wrote many of his love songs.
In 2005, Takuro ended his radio show on Tokyo FM, "Glay Radio Communication DX", which he had started in 2003. Previously, he hosted another show, "Takuro Radio Factory".
Takuro got married to the Japanese model Seri Iwahori in May 2004. He was introduced to her during the shooting of the movie Casshern
, in which he made a short cameo with Hisashi
in 2003. They have a son, born in October 2005 and a daughter, born in October 2007. They own a house in Los Angeles, California
and also one in Tokyo
.
Album: FLOW of SOUL vol 1. Takuro meets Vanessa Mae
(under the pseudonym "L. Soul")
(composed the music under the pseudonym "L. Soul")
(composed the music with Utada Hikaru under the name "Kubo Takuro". "Time Limit" was also released as a single)
(composed the music under the pseudonym "L.Soul")
(music by Takuro and Tak Matsumoto)
(theme song for the movie Umineko, with backing vocals by TERU
)
(music)
("Hitoiro" is theme song for the movie Nana 2
and "Eyes for the Moon" is in the movie's sound track).
(lyrics)
(music)
Album: Poetic Evolution
single: ZERO LANDMINE
Album: Kuzu Album
Album: In the Mood
Glay
Glay is a rock/pop band from Hakodate, Hokkaidō, Japan formed by guitarist Takuro and vocalist Teru in high school in 1988. Glay primarily composes songs in the rock and pop genres, but they have also composed songs using elements of different styles such as reggae and gospel...
. He is the main composer and lyricist of Glay's songs.
As a composer and a musician, Takuro has worked with different artists. He's also released solo works.
Takuro and his older sister were raised by a single mother, as she never re-married after his father's death, when Takuro was three years old. He considers his mother an early influence in his musical career, as he was strongly impressed by her singing.
Later on, during his adolescence, he would be influenced by John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, and would develop a great interest in writing lyrics. His lyrics are often based on his feelings about different situations in his life, as well as events in the world.
Takuro often expresses his opinion on different issues, and has been invited to write about different topics by newspapers. In 2007 he wrote a series of articles about his homeland, Hakodate for the Asahi newspaper. In 2006, he was quoted in an article about new concepts of Japanese family models in the Mainichi website. Being raised in a single mother family, he expressed his personal experience.
In 2001, together with Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
After working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
, Takuro started the "Artists Power", an organization that brings together musicians interested in being active in the search of alternative energy. The EXPO 2001 concert in Ishikari, Hokkaido, had part of its energy generated by alternative fuel and a booth displaying the genarators could be seen.
In 2003 Takuro released "Kyoukai", an auto-biographical book, in which he writes about his personal life and his musical work. The topics are his childhood in Hakodate and his career; among the subjects is a mysterious woman who he loved for ten years and who turned him down when he proposed marriage to her and for whom he wrote many of his love songs.
In 2005, Takuro ended his radio show on Tokyo FM, "Glay Radio Communication DX", which he had started in 2003. Previously, he hosted another show, "Takuro Radio Factory".
Takuro got married to the Japanese model Seri Iwahori in May 2004. He was introduced to her during the shooting of the movie Casshern
Casshern
is a 2004 Japanese tokusatsu film adaptation of the anime series of the same name. It was written and directed by Kazuaki Kiriya. It stars Yusuke Iseya as Tetsuya Azuma/Casshern, Kumiko Aso as Luna Kozuki, Toshiaki Karasawa as Burai, Mayumi Sada as Saguree, and Jun Kaname as Barashin.-Plot:A...
, in which he made a short cameo with Hisashi
Hisashi (musician)
Hisashi Tonomura is the lead guitarist for the popular Japanese rock band GLAY. He used to be in a band named Ari but they broke up before he joined GLAY. Together with his bandmate Jiro, the two of them are known for their visual kei looks...
in 2003. They have a son, born in October 2005 and a daughter, born in October 2007. They own a house in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and also one in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
Solo albums
Album: Instrumental Collection- artist: TAKURO
- release date: September 19, 1998
- Tracks:
- HOWEVER
- SOUL LOVE
- Yes, Summerdays
- Ikiteku Tsuyosa
- Miyako Wasure
- a Boy~Zutto Wasurenai~
- Kuchibiru
- Manatsuno Tobira
- Zutto Futari de...
- Glorious
- Yuuwaku
- BELOVED
Album: FLOW of SOUL vol 1. Takuro meets Vanessa Mae
- artists: Takuro and Vanessa Mae
- release date : April 24, 2002
- tracks:
- Way of Difference
- Francis Elena featuring Vanessa Mae
- Zutto Futtari de・・
- Glorious
- a Boy ～zutto wasurenai～
- Kanojo no "Modern・・・"
- HOWEVER
- I'm in Love
- Yuuwaku
- Biribiri crashman
- Sen no naifu ga mune wo sasu
- Pure Soul
Stealth
Takuro and Toki, from Japanese band C:4, have collaborated under the name "Stealth". Together they released the single "Re-lax" on September 25, 2002. In May 2009 they played live for the first time, with other well-known musicians. On October 13, 2010, Stealth released the song "-Sickbed-" digitally on their own website. They also announced the release of their first album "Alstroemeria", but didn't provide detailed information on this record.Songwriting for other artists
- "Summer Shakes" and "I believe you"
- Single: Summer Shakes
- artist:Miju
- "Mitsumeteitai" and "Moon~ watashi he"
- Single: Mitsumeteitai
- Artist:ROMI
- "Couples" and "Love Is Always Trouble"
- Single: Couples
- artist: Miju
- "Love Clover" and "Empty Pocket"
- Single: Love Clover
- artist: Miho Nakayama
- kokoro ni amega
- Single: kokoro ni amega
- artist: Hideki Ohtoku
- Fairyland
- Single: Fairyland
- artist: Yuki KoyanagiYuki Koyanagi, is a Japanese pop singer. She released her first single, 'Anata no kisu o kazoemashô - You Were Mine' on September 15, 1999. This song was a huge hit in Japan and made the 17-year-old a sensation overnight. Her second album 'EXPANSION', sold over 1.3 million copies. She has done several albums ...
(under the pseudonym "L. Soul")
- Rhythm to Rule
- Single: Rhythm to Rule
- artist: Ryoko ShinoharaRyoko ShinoharaRyoko Shinohara is a Japanese singer and actress. She began her career as a singer in the Japanese female pop band Tokyo Performance Doll, and after its break-up, began a solo singing career with producer Tetsuya Komuro...
(composed the music under the pseudonym "L. Soul")
- "Drama" and "Time Limit"
- Album: Distance
- artist: Hikaru Utada
(composed the music with Utada Hikaru under the name "Kubo Takuro". "Time Limit" was also released as a single)
- Sweet Season
- single: Sweet Season
- artist: SONO
(composed the music under the pseudonym "L.Soul")
- Engaged
- Album: Hana
- artist: Tak MatsumotoTak Matsumotois a Grammy Award-winning Japanese guitarist, producer, arranger, composer, singer and songwriter. In addition to guitarist and lead composer for the hard rock band B'z, he has also had a successful solo career.-Background:...
(music by Takuro and Tak Matsumoto)
- Lovebite
- Album: Style
- artist: Namie AmuroNamie Amurois a Japanese R&B and pop singer, entertainer, and former actress who at the height of her popularity was referred to as the "Teen Queen" and the title "Queen of Japanese Pop Music". Born in Naha, Okinawa, Amuro debuted at the age of 14 as an idol in the girl group Super Monkey's...
- Fuyu no etorage
- Album: Singer for Singer
- artist: Misia
(theme song for the movie Umineko, with backing vocals by TERU
Teru
Teru is one of the 29 woredas in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Administrative Zone 4, Teru is bordered on the south by Aura, on the southwest by Gulina, on the west by Yalo, and on the north and east by the Administrative Zone 2...
)
- Ruten
- Album: Romantic Energy
- artist: Joshijunigakubo (Twelve Girls BandTwelve Girls BandTwelve Girls Band are an all female Chinese musical group that initially consisted of twelve members before the addition of a thirteenth. Twelve Girls Band use traditional Chinese instruments to play both traditional Chinese and Western music. Formed on June 18, 2001, the women were selected by...
)
- Kiss from a Rose
- Album: Sing and Roses
- artist: Misato WatanabeMisato Watanabeis a female Japanese popular music artist.- Singles :* 'I'm Free' * 'Growin' Up' * 'Shinderu mitai ni Ikitaku nai ' * 'My Revolution'...
(music)
- "Hitoiro" and "Eyes for the Moon"
- Single: Hitoiro
- artist: Nana starring Mika NakashimaMika Nakashimais a Japanese singer, model, and actress. She has achieved five number-one albums in Japan and also embarked on an acting career, most notably in the live-action movie Nana, based on the manga of the same name.- Early life and debut :...
("Hitoiro" is theme song for the movie Nana 2
NANA 2
Nana 2 is the sequel to the Japanese movie Nana, an adaptation of the manga by Ai Yazawa, directed by Kentarô Ôtani. Production for the movie began in mid-September and only one and a half month shootings finished the movie in time for the December 9, 2006 release.-Synopsis:Taking place shortly...
and "Eyes for the Moon" is in the movie's sound track).
- Say Something
- Album: In the Mood
- artist: Kyosuke HimuroKyosuke Himurois a popular Japanese singer. He was a member of the rock group Boøwy from 1981 to 1988. After the group disbanded he started a successful solo career. In 2003, HMV Japan ranked Himuro at number 76 on their list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts...
(lyrics)
- Go ahead!!!
- Single: Go Ahead!!!
- artist: Mitsuhiro Oikawa
(music)
Special features
Single: Bridge over troubled water- artist: Junko
- song: Together (guitar)
Album: Poetic Evolution
- artist: Yukinojo Mori
- song: Ango (with HISASHIHisashiHisashi may refer to:* Hisashi * Hisashi...
and TERUTeruTeru is one of the 29 woredas in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Administrative Zone 4, Teru is bordered on the south by Aura, on the southwest by Gulina, on the west by Yalo, and on the north and east by the Administrative Zone 2...
)
single: ZERO LANDMINE
Zero Landmine
Zero Landmine is an Extended play recording created to promote awareness of the problem of landmines and to promote a ban on landmines...
- artist: N.M.L.(NO MORE LANDMINE)
- song: ZERO LANDMINEZero LandmineZero Landmine is an Extended play recording created to promote awareness of the problem of landmines and to promote a ban on landmines...
(guitar)
Album: Kuzu Album
- artist: Kuzu
- song: ai nante (with TERUTeruTeru is one of the 29 woredas in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Administrative Zone 4, Teru is bordered on the south by Aura, on the southwest by Gulina, on the west by Yalo, and on the north and east by the Administrative Zone 2...
)
Album: In the Mood
- artist: Kyosuke HimuroKyosuke Himurois a popular Japanese singer. He was a member of the rock group Boøwy from 1981 to 1988. After the group disbanded he started a successful solo career. In 2003, HMV Japan ranked Himuro at number 76 on their list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts...
- song: Say Something (with GLAYGlayGlay is a rock/pop band from Hakodate, Hokkaidō, Japan formed by guitarist Takuro and vocalist Teru in high school in 1988. Glay primarily composes songs in the rock and pop genres, but they have also composed songs using elements of different styles such as reggae and gospel...
)
Books
- Along the Line: photobook made in Africa.
- Kyoukai (2003): autobiography.
- "Super Stars" (November 2006): photobook by Leslie Kee. Takuro was one of the three hundred famous Asian people featured in the book.
- Hokkaido e (July 2008): includes a series of articles written by Takuro, along with articles by other authors, originally published by Asahi Newspaper in 2007.