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. 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.
Bass
Barry Sparks
Barry Sparks (born June 20, 1968, in Lucasville, Ohio) is an American bassist that has played with some of the biggest rock and metal acts in the world. Introduced to Tak and Koshi by his longtime friend Shane Gaalaas, whom he met during their time touring with The Michael Schenker Group, he first embarked on a live effort with them during B'z LIVE-GYM 2003 "BANZAI IN NORTH AMERICA". After touring with fellow rock band Dokken in the interim, he returned to tour with B'z beginning with the ACTION tour in 2008. Ever 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".
Former Bass player for Yngwie Malmsteen, UFO, Dokken, and Ted Nugent. Currently he is touring with B'z and contributes to their albums.
Tours with B'z
B'z LIVE-GYM 2003 "BANZAI IN NORTH AMERICA"
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