Eikichi Yazawa

Quick Facts: Who was Eikichi Yazawa?

Subject:

Eikichi Yazawa

Known for:

Iconic Japanese rock singer and songwriter, known as "The King of Rock."

Born:

1949-09-14

Century / Era:

1949s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Eikichi Yazawa (矢沢 永吉, Yazawa Eikichi; born September 14, 1949) is a Japanese singer and songwriter. He is the father of singer-songwriter Yoko Yazawa. He has been nicknamed as "Ei-chan" (永ちゃん), "Boss" and "The King of Rock". Yazawa was born in Hiroshima, on September 14, 1949. His father was a bicycle shop owner but died of radiation sickness when Eikichi was in the 2nd grade of elementary school.

Career & Major Achievements

His mother had disappeared, leaving her husband and son behind when Eikichi was 3 years old. He was mainly raised by his paternal grandmother in poverty until he graduated high school. Being bullied in school, such as having a cake thrown at his face, he started to think and practice his philosophy of "being big" which allowed him to survive the poverty and the bullying. When he was in junior high school, he listened to music such as The Ventures and The Beatles, which led him to a career as a rock musician. He started to learn the guitar, and on New Year's Day of 1968, he composed his first song, “I Love You, OK”.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1968, three weeks after he graduated from high school, Yazawa left Hiroshima by train to Tokyo. On the way, he experienced pain from sitting too long and decided to get off and start living in Yokohama. Making ends meet by working a few jobs, he formed several bands: The Base, E-Set and Yamato. All of these bands mainly played in the clubs of Yokohama. But after the breakup of Yamato, Japanese musical trends switched to folk music, which led to several clubs closing one after another.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1949 (1949-09-14): Birth of Eikichi Yazawa — Iconic Japanese rock singer and songwriter, known as "The King of Rock."
2. 1968: 1968 Milestone — He started to learn the guitar, and on New Year's Day of 1968, he composed his first song, “I Love You, OK”.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Eikichi Yazawa

True or False: “Eikichi Yazawa's first major hit song with the band Carol was 'Funky Monkey Baby'.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The single "Funky Monkey Baby" released on June 25, 1973, became a defining standard of Japanese rock music.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Contemporary (Born in 1949) (1949): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances and masterful impersonation.
• Alan García — Contemporary (Born in 1949) (1949): Controversial Peruvian politician who served two non-consecutive terms as President of Peru.
• Alan Menken — Contemporary (Born in 1949) (1949): Award-winning American composer celebrated for Disney film scores and Broadway musicals.
• Aaron Burr — Shared historical date (09-14 · Died) (1836): American politician, lawyer, and statesman known for his role in the Jeffersonian era.
• Ai Takahashi — Shared historical date (09-14 · Born) (1986): Japanese singer and actress known for her tenure in the idol group Morning Musume.
• Alexei Shchusev — Historical peer (Died in 1949) (1949): Master Russian architect spanning Art Nouveau, Constructivism, and Stalinist styles.
• Alice Bailey — Historical peer (Died in 1949) (1949): American esoteric writer known for neo-theosophical works and pioneering New Age concepts.
• Abrar-ul-Haq — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Esteemed Pakistani singer, philanthropist, and former politician from Punjab.
• Adam McKay — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Acclaimed American filmmaker known for satirical comedies and high-profile adaptations.
• Alexander von Humboldt — Shared historical date (09-14 · Born) (1769): German polymath, geographer, and naturalist who pioneered biogeography and modern science.
• 1949 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1949
• September 14 (09-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 14

Frequently Asked Questions about Eikichi Yazawa