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We first discovered KBG84, Japan’s elderly idol unit, earlier this year and were impressed with their energy, particularly their live performances. The group has had a few months to get their name out there, and they even released a music video for their song “Come On and Dance Kohamajima” in July. But it wasn’t until this month that they released their first single, available now for your listening pleasure.
In case you can’t watch the video below for some reason, the song features a sanshin (Okinawan string instrument) performance by Kikuo Tsuchida, an Okinawan musician, in the vein of traditional min’you music with a pop idol vibe to it. In other words, it’s a mixture of traditional and contemporary — perfect for an idol group with an average age of 84!
The group has performed around Japan since they became Internet sensations and there doesn’t seem to be any slowing them down. In fact, they even had two live shows in Tokyo last weekend, and it looks like they were crowd-pleasing performances.
The new single is available on Amazon Japan and iTunes. It’ll put a bounce in your step and help support Japan’s idols “closest to heaven.” Now we’re just hoping they’ll release a full album soon…preferably with a BABYMETAL collaboration or two!
Sources: Byokan Sunday, YouTube/THE COMPANY NEWS, KBG 84
Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- BABYMETAL releases full album, metalheads and idol fans headbang in unison -- What Happened With These DVD Packages? They Don’t Look Anything Like the Anime We’re Familiar With! -- We’re going bananas over these amazing Attack on Titan…bananas
© Japan Today
13 Comments
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Kurobune
One of the things that surprised me when I first arrived in Japan about 35 years ago was the "genki" of Japan's senior citizens ! These ladies are just too cute !
MikeH
@sensei258 Excellent comment and response! I guess djv124 is one of those obsessed otaku attending all those meet and greet events and assumes to know it all ! Aside from that, it's good to know that these oldies are doing well to keep their mind relaxed by doing what they like... Good on them!
sensei258
You're absolutely right, because I'm not an obsessed otaku with too much time and money to waste
How do you know that? Have you attended every such event for every group and personally monitored every guest closely
If you laugh to the point of absurdity, doesn't that mean it's your excessive laughing that's absurd?
Mozenator '15
kyushubill and everyone else need to chill about idols. They are a wonderful and important part of Japanese Pop culture that touches people all over the world young and old and gives them happiness and hope and inspiration.
The girls are not dumb they know what they are signing up for and do it willingly. If they don't like it they are welcome to leave. And yes some do, but many stay and some for a long time (Momochi, Sayumi Michishige, Minami Takahashi). I gives them an opportunity to enter the entertainment world and become what they dream of becoming, actors, variety stars, singers..or for some it's just a fun way to spend their youth and live the excitement of being a star and a performer.
This "slavery" argument and "oh my God it's terrible what they're doing to these girls" is disingenuous at best and actually misogynistic and ignorant. These girls, most Idols, work harder than anyone in the entertainment business and they are AMAZING and WONDERFUL performers and entertainers. And unlike here in America, young girls, boys and people of all ages and genders can LOOK UP TO THEM as role models!
This Idol bashing or bashing of the industry is just plain wrong. Managament groups like Stardust (Momoiro Clover Z, Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku, Team Syachihoko) treat the members wonderfully, with many female staff and allow them to be kids...UpFront has an amazing training program and the groups (morning Musume 15, C-ute, Angerme, etc) are more professional and entertaining than most "regular" groups anywhere in the world!
Many, many groups have top notch world-class producers creating the best pop music in the world today, cutting edge stuff that blows away tired and predictable pop music in other arenas and countries.
Stop your knee-jerk reaction to things you read about and know nothing about. And look into EbiChu for instance, or MM' 15 and learn to respect these young people's life decisions and see them for the true and worthy entertainers that they are. Something Japan should embrace and be proud of.
Brian Wheway
I wonder if they can squeeze into there school uniforms still?
djv124
@sensei258: You obviously have never attended a meet and greet for idols. Nobody tries to "cop a feel at them." That's laughable to the point of absurdity that you would even say that.
I'm sure these idols have a demographic they appeal to, and I'm happy for them. I truly am. And for once, I don't even think the boyfriend argument even applies, you know? These obaachans are just doing their thing, and good for them to do so!
nath
I wonder if this group are allowed to have boyfriends?
SimondB
Loved it. But are they actually singing this? Looked a little like they were singing along to a backing track. Good they can remember the words though.
Wc626
@sensei. Wow that was a low-blow. LoL. Good 1 tho-
sensei258
I bet there are no crowds of guys with glow sticks singing along with them at their performances, or trying to cop a feel at meet and greet events.
Wc626
LoL@kyushubill. Their dating days are long gone. Heck, the old gal in the center could barely stand.
Agree. . . . but I doubt any idols fans will throw a tissy-fit if these bachans live normal lives.
kyushubill
Will their agency allow them to date? Will their agency keep them busy so they can't have time for a personal life? In other words will they be enslaved by their agency they way the young are? If not then I say these bachans need to voice the wrong committed against the younger folk.
Yubaru
Way to go Ba'-chans! Catchy tune too!