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 TichyBorn: August 18, 1968 |
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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 SmithBorn: October 25, 1961 |
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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 FrazierBorn: September 7, 1967 |
Tours Recordings
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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 FongheiserBorn: DOB |
Tours Recordings
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Profile: Bio. |
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Gregg BissonetteNationality: |
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Hideo Yamaki山木秀夫 |
Recordings
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Profile: Bio. |
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Ikkoh Tanaka田中一光 |
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Profile: Bio. |
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Jeremy ColsonNationality: |
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Profile: Bio. |
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Josh FreeseNationality: |
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Profile: Bio. |
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Kaichi Kurose黒瀬蛙一 |
Tours Recordings
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Profile: Bio. |
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Nobu Saito斎藤ノブ |
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Profile: Bio. |
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Nobuo Eguchi江口信夫 |
Recordings |
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Pat TorpeyNationality: |
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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 GaalaaasBorn: August 8, 1967 |
Tours
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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 |
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Profile: Bio. |
Bass
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Barry SparksBorn: June 20, 1968 |
Tours
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Profile: An American bassist that has played with some of the most recognizable rock and metal acts in the world, Barry was 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. 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, whom Barry considers a close friend. In 2004, Barry released a solo album entitled Can't Look Back on which he performed all vocals, guitar, and bass. |
Tokunaga Akihito
(1998, 2003-2007)
Billy Sheehan
(2002)
Shotaro Mitsuzono
(1999~2001)
Akashi Masao
(1989~1997)
Hazuki Kido
(TV once)
Juan Alderete
(Recording only)
Guitar
Shiganobu Ohga
(2011~)
Shinichiro Ohta
(2003-2008)
Keyboards
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File:Onozuka Akira.jpg
Onozuka AkiraBorn: DOB |
Recordings
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Profile: Bio. |
Takanobu Masuda
(1992~1997, 1999-)
Kosuke Oshima
(1998)
Yoko Hiromoto
(1989-1992)
Miscellaneous
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Hatakeyama Katsunori畠山勝紀 |
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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" and most recently is known as, in addition to lead guitar tech, the band's main equipment manager. |
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 |
Recordings
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Billy KilsonNationality: |
Recordings |
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Cindy BlackmanNationality: |
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Greg UpchurchNationality: |
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Joe TraversNationality: |
Recordings
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John FerraroNationality: |
Tours |
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Kenny AronoffNationality: |
Recordings |
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Leonard CastroNickname: Lenny |
Recordings
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File:Minoru Yasuda.jpg
Minoru YasudaNationality: |
Recordings
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Munetaka Higuchi樋口宗孝 |
Recordings |
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Murakami Syuichi村上秀一 |
Recordings
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File:Ryuoichi Terashima.jpg
Ryuoichi Terashima寺島良一 |
Recordings
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Shinya真矢 |
Recordings
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File:Takashi Yokoyama.jpg
Takashi YokoyamaNationality: |
Recordings
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Yoshihiro Toyokawa豊川義弘 |
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