B'z Support Members

B'z Support Members are musicians who appear with B'z during their LIVE-GYM events playing the instruments not occupied by the primary duo of Koshi Inaba on vocals and Tak Matsumoto on guitar as well as contribute to their studio recordings. The stable of support musicians that have provided drums, bass, keyboards, and other instruments during various B'z shows and in the studio include a number of esteemed musicians from various other successful music acts. Among those who have recorded and performed with B'z are American bassists Billy Sheehan of Mr. Big and Barry Sparks, who has previously toured with the Scorpions, UFO, and the Michael Schenker Group.

Typically, those touring with the band at a given time are also those providing their respective parts on the most recent recording efforts. This formation of touring and recording with the same team began in 1993 with one of the band's best-regarded albums, RUN. Additionally, active members often also appear in the band's music videos as well.

In addition to taking on various drummers, bassists, and keyboardists over time, B'z also occasionally tour with additional performers, such as brass sections, orchestras, and occasionally performance troupes providing choreography on stage behind the band's performance. In recent years, the band has added a backing guitarist and vocalist beginning when Shinichiro Ohta toured with the band beginning in 2003 through 2008. The role went absent from the band's 2009 and 2010 tours, but would be again filled in 2011 by a friend of Tak's, Yoshinobu Ohga, who was featured as one of the fellow guitarists on his concept album Theatre Of Strings in 2005.

Most recently, since 2011, drums have been provided by Canadian drummer Shane Gaalaas, bass by American Barry Sparks, backing guitar by Yoshinobu Ohga, and keyboards by Takanobu Masuda.

Drums

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Brian Tichy Born: August 18, 1968 Nationality:	Recordings 2000: juice, Seventh Heaven, Ai no prisoner 2003: Yasei no ENERGY, WAKE UP, RIGHT NOW, Hakanai Diamond, I'm in love?, Ai to Nikushimi no Hajimari, CHANGE THE FUTURE 2004: with TMG: OH JAPAN ~OUR TIME IS NOW~, TRAPPED, Everything Passes Away, KINGS FOR A DAY, I Know You by Heart, I wish you were here, THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH, Signs of Life, RED, WHITE AND BULLET BLUES, WONDERLAND, NEVER GOOD-BYE with B'z: Kagayaku Unmei wa Sono Te no Naka ni 2005: with B'z: BLACK AND WHITE with Tak Matsumoto: Theme from ULTRAMAN
Profile: Brian Tichy is an American drummer with a long and storied history with many of the greatest rock acts, including Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Ozzy Osbourne, and Foreigner. He has contributed drums to a number of B'z tracks, including the singles "juice" and "Yasei no ENERGY". He also provided drums on tracks for the TMG album TMG I but was replaced by Chris Frazier for the live tour.

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Chad Smith Born: October 25, 1961 Nationality:	Recordings 2009: Ichibu to Zenbu, DIVE, long time no see
Profile: As the longtime drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chad Smith has forged a reputation as one of rock's greatest all-time drummers. His work with B'z can be witnessed in the MAGIC documentary Magical Backstage Tour 2009. He was introduced to the band by fellow drummer Shane Gaalaas.

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Chris Frazier Born: September 7, 1967 Nationality:	Tours TMG LIVE TOUR "Dodge The Bullet" Recordings 2003: Bluesy no Asa
Profile: Well-known drummer who rose to prominence as the drummer for Steve Vai. In 2004, he joined TMG for their only live tour that ventured all over Japan. Chris has likewise performed with Foreigner, Eddie Money, and Whitesnake among others.

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Denny Fongheiser Born: DOB Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Greg Upchurch Born: DOB Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
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Gregg Bissonette Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
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Hideo Yamaki 山木秀夫 Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Ikkoh Tanaka 田中一光 Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Jeremy Colson Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
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Josh Freese Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
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Jun Aoyama 青山 純 Birth: March 10, 1957 Death: December 3, 2013 Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Kaichi Kurose 黒瀬蛙一 Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Murakami Syuichi 村上秀一 Nickname: Ponta (ポンタ) Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Nobu Saito 斎藤ノブ Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Nobuo Eguchi 江口信夫 Born: DOB Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Pat Torpey Nationality:	Recordings 1999: girigiri chop (Version 51)
Profile: The drummer of fellow rock band Mr. Big, with which B'z have close ties and have worked together on numerous occasions. He appeared to perform "girigiri chop (Version 51)" on Music Station as a special B'z x Mr. Big collaboration with Mr. Big bassist Billy Sheehan, who has also worked with B'z.

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Shane Gaalaaas Born: August 8, 1967 Nationality:	Tours B'z SHOWCASE "SAPPORO DEVIL" B'z LIVE-GYM 2002 "GREEN ~GO★FIGHT★WIN~" B'z LIVE-GYM 2002 "Rock n' California Roll" 2002 FIFA World Cup International Day Concert B'z SHOWCASE 2003 "IT'S SHOWCASE!!" B'z LIVE-GYM The Final Pleasure "IT'S SHOWTIME!!" B'z LIVE-GYM 2003 "BANZAI IN NORTH AMERICA" B'z SHOWCASE 2003 "BIG MACHINE" B'z SHOWCASE 2005 "Abashiri Extra Edition" B'z LIVE-GYM 2005 "CIRCLE OF ROCK" B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" B'z LIVE in Namba B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -19- B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -B'z In Your Town- SUMMER SONIC 07 B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2008 -GLORY DAYS- B'z SHOWCASE 2009 -B'z In Your Town- SUMMER SONIC 09 B'z LIVE-GYM 2010 "Ain't No Magic" B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -long time no see- Music for Relief's Secret Show for Japan Pepsi NEX presents B'z 1DAY LIVE B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -C'mon- TV Asahi Dream Festival 2011 B'z LIVE-GYM 2012 -Into Free- Pepsi NEX presents B'z PREMIUM LIVE AEROSONIC B'z SHOWCASE 2013 -Pleasure75- B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2013 -ENDLESS SUMMER- B'z Special LIVE at EX THEATER ROPPONGI Recordings 2002: Yoruyo Akenaide 2003: Yasei no ENERGY, Arakure, IT'S SHOWTIME!! (Album Version), BIG MACHINE, Nightbird, Mabushii Sign, ROOTS 2004: BANZAI, ARIGATO, Mou Hanasanai 2005: Ai no Bakudan, Fever, Amaku Yasashii Binetsu, THE CIRCLE, X, Pulse, Fly The Flag, Aqua Blue, Suiren, Sanctuary, Shiroi Hibana, Icarus, Brighter Day, OCEAN, Narifuri Kamawazu Dakishimete, Dear my lovely pain 2006: Shoudou, Yuruginai Mono Hitotsu, Pierrot, SPLASH!, MVP, ALL-OUT ATTACK, Koi no Summer Session, Kemuri no Sekai, Mugon no Promise, MONSTER, Netemo Sametemo, Happy Birthday, Amadare Blues, Ashita Mata Hi ga Noboru Nara 2007: FRICTION, FRICTION -LAP 2-, Kuroi Seishun, Boku ni wa Kimi ga Iru, Koubou, Traveling Men no Theme, BUDDY 2008: BURN -Fumetsu no Face-, yokohama, Kibou no Uta, BAD COMMUNICATION -ULTRA Pleasure Style-, Pleasure 2008 ~Jinsei no Kairaku~, BLOWIN' -ULTRA Treasure Style-, Glory Days, Itsuka Mata Koko de 2009: MY LONELY TOWN, Kirei na Namida, Time Flies, PRAY, MAGIC, Mayday!, TINY DROPS, Dare ni mo Ienee, Yume no Naka de Aimashou, Freedom Train 2010: with Koshi Inaba: Okay, Salvation, Maimirai, Zettai(teki), The Morning Call, Lone Pine, Eden, CAGE FIGHT, Koyoi Kimi to, Kono Te wo Totte Hashiridashite, Sariyuku Hito he, Fushichou, Shujinkou, Little Boy, Itaikena Taiyou 2011: Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo, Dawn Runner, Don't Wanna Lie, Homebound, C'mon, Hito Shizuku no Anata, DAREKA, Boss, Too Young, Pilgrim, The Meister, Dead End, Meimei, ultra soul 2011 2012: GO FOR IT, BABY -Kioku no Sanmyaku-, Honoka Naru Hi, Ryuusei Mask, Love Bomb, Splash, Juice, Ultra Soul, Into Free -Dangan- 2013: HEAT, Kakushin, Q&A, Utopia
Profile: A Canadian drummer that has toured with a number of high-profile rock acts like Yngwie Malmsteen and The Michael Schenker Group, Shane began touring with B'z in 2002 and has remained with the band in the years since. His long tenure has made him the second-longest support member after keyboardist Takanobu Masuda. Shane has had a long career as a drummer and has released a number of solo albums, on which he also plays guitar, bass, and provides vocals. He is a long time friend of fellow B'z support member Barry Sparks, whom he introduced to the band in 2003. Shane has also become close friends with Koshi, with the two frequently surfing together and Shane even assisting in crafting the English versions of various B'z songs in recent years. Additionally, Shane has released his own English version of "Brotherhood" on his 2013 album Ascend and earlier released a Japanese cover of "Hadashi no Megami" in Japan.

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Soul Tool そうる透 Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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File:Ryuoichi Terashima.jpg Ryuoichi Terashima 寺島良一 Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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File:Yasuda Minoru.jpg Yasuda Minoru Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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File:Yokoyama Takashi.jpg Yokoyama Takashi Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Yoshihiro Toyokawa 豊川義弘 Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

Bass

Barry Sparks

Barry Sparks (born June 20, 1968 in Lucasville, Ohio) is an American bassist that has played with some of the most recognizable rock and metal acts in the world, including Yngwie Malmsteen, UFO, and Ted Nugent.

Introduced to Tak and Koshi by his longtime friend Shane Gaalaas, whom he met during their time touring with The Michael Schenker Group and also played in the sideproject Cosmosquad with, he first embarked on a live effort with them during B'z LIVE-GYM 2003 "BANZAI IN NORTH AMERICA" and soon thereafter B'z LIVE-GYM 2003 "BIG MACHINE". After touring with fellow rock acts Dokkun, UFO, and Ted Nugent in the interim, he returned to tour with B'z beginning with the "ACTION" tour in 2008. Since, he has appeared on every B'z tour to follow as well as numerous television appearances. He has likewise appeared in a number of videos, including those for "C'mon", "Don't Wanna Lie", and "MY LONELY TOWN". In addition to being their live bassist, Barry has also provided bass on the majority of B'z recordings since 2008, including for various singles and the studio albums of MAGIC and C'mon.

Barry describes himself as the world's biggest KISS fan and has amassed a large collection of vinyl records. His love of records would be something he would introduce to Tak, which has become a bonding point for the two ever since. Barry considers Tak a close friend and has become one of the longest mainstay support members to have ever toured with B'z.

In 2004, Barry released a solo album entitled Can't Look Back on which he performed all vocals, guitar, and bass. For the majority of the tracks, Shane Gaalaas provided drums.

Tours with B'z

• B'z LIVE-GYM 2003 "BANZAI IN NORTH AMERICA"
• B'z LIVE-GYM 2003 "BIG MACHINE"
• B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION-
• B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION"
• B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2008 -GLORY DAYS-
• B'z SHOWCASE 2009 -B'z In Your Town-
• SUMMER SONIC 09
• B'z LIVE-GYM 2010 "Ain't No Magic"
• B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -long time no see-
• Music for Relief's Secret Show for Japan

• B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -C'mon-
• Pepsi NEX presents B'z 1DAY LIVE
• TV Asahi Dream Festival 2011
• B'z LIVE-GYM 2012 -Into Free-
• Pepsi NEX presents B'z PREMIUM LIVE
• B'z SHOWCASE 2013 -Pleasure75-
• AEROSONIC
• B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2013 -ENDLESS SUMMER-
• B'z Special LIVE at EX THEATER ROPPONGI

Tokunaga Akihito

(1998, 2003-2007)

Billy Sheehan

File:billysheehan.jpg

(2002)

Shotaro Mitsuzono

(1999~2001)

Akashi Masao

File:Akashi Masao.jpg

(1989~1997)

Hazuki Kido

File:SPyke Hazuki.jpg

(TV once)

Juan Alderete

(Recording only)

Guitar

Shiganobu Ohga

(2011~)

Shinichiro Ohta

(2003-2008)

Keyboards

Takanobu Masuda

(1992~1997, 1999-)

Kosuke Oshima

(1998)

Yoko Hiromoto

(1989-1992)

Miscellaneous

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Hatakeyama Katsunori 畠山勝紀 Nickname: hakkai Nationality:	Recordings 2000: TOKYO DEVIL (Chinese Gong)
Profile: Tak's longtime guitar technician and one of the most well-known B'z staff members. He has managed Tak's guitar sound since 1991 both on tour and in the studio, with Tak trusting him implicitly. Hakkai can be seen with many other staff members in the music video for "GOLD".

Solo Support Members

Gathered here are support members who have only recorded or toured with Tak Matsumoto and Koshi Inaba during their solo works outside of their B'z endeavors. It bears noting that some members, such as Shane Gaalaas, have recorded for both B'z projects and solo works. Such musicians are listed above with both their B'z and contribution to Tak and Koshi's solo projects together.

Drums

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Atsuo Okamoto 岡本敦男 Nationality:	Recordings 2002: with Tak Matsumoto: Riverside Blues
Profile: Bio.

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Billy Kilson Nationality:	Recordings 2010: with Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto: JAZZY BULLETS, Nite Crawler 2010, THE WAY WE WERE, Islands of Japan, Neon Blue, Tokyo Night, hotalu, East West Stroll, Easy Mystery, ao, Take Your Pick, A girl from China
Profile: Bio.

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Cindy Blackman Nationality:	Recordings 2004: with TMG: My Alibi, TRAIN, TRAIN, Two of a Kind
Profile: Bio.

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Joe Travers Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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John Ferraro Nationality:	Tours Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto LIVE 2010 "TAKE YOUR PICK"
Profile: Bio.

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Kenny Aronoff Nationality:	Recordings 2004: with Koshi Inaba: I AM YOUR BABY, THE RACE, Suiheisen, Subete no Shiawase wo Oazuke ni, SAIHATE HOTEL

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Leonard Castro Nickname: Lenny Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Munetaka Higuchi 樋口宗孝 Nationality:	Tours 1 2 Recordings Year:
Profile: Bio.

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Shinya 真矢 Nationality:	Recordings 1999: with Tak Matsumoto: GO FURTHER
Profile: Bio.