October 8th marks one year since singer-songwriter Shinji Tanimura passed away at the age of 74. “Alice” has gathered on stage again. At the concert titled “ALICE FOREVER ~Arigato~” held at Nippon Budokan on September 18th, 21 songs were performed, mainly by members Takao Horiuchi and Toru Yazawa, and Tanimura also made an appearance. Approximately 7,800 people, including the AG generation (40s and 50s), enjoyed Alice’s harmonies and hit songs.
When the venue gets dark, a solemn bell rings, and a white picture of Pegasus appears at the back of the stage. Mr. Yazawa sat in front of the drums, and Mr. Horiuchi, who was holding a guitar, bowed to the audience, and then the concert began with “Winter Lightning.”
Mr. Horiuchi, who had finished singing up to “Ima Momo Momomo” by himself, murmured, “I’m so tired after just two songs…”, inviting laughter, and added, “Good evening, everyone. This is Alice. Today I’m Shinji Tanimura. We would like to sing to the best of our ability as a token of our condolences.”
After Mr. Horiuchi introduced Mr. Yazawa, the drummer, he shouted, “Our eternal leader, Shinji Tanimura!” Then, footage of past live performances was projected at the back of the stage, and Mr. Tanimura “appeared.” There was a particularly loud applause and cheers from the audience.
Mr. Tanimura in the video introduced the group by saying, “I would like to introduce the members once again. Takao Horiuchi, vocalist and guitar player!” Mr. Horiuchi said, “My heart is full when I am introduced like this…” as if to say to himself.
From here on, we will mainly show footage of Mr. Tanimura singing at the 50th anniversary live “ALICE GREAT 50 BEGINNING 2022”, which was held at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena in November 2022 and was the last stage for the trio. It will be projected on the screen. Tanimura’s singing voice at this time is synchronized with the band’s performance on the actual stage. The harmony between Mr. Horiuchi on stage and Mr. Tanimura in the video was exactly the same as before, and I was able to enjoy the harmony without feeling out of place.
However, right after the performance of “BURAI,” the audience seemed a little somber as they saw Mr. Tanimura staring at the audience with a smile on his face. I was also excited. Of the three people lined up on the same screen, two actually exist, and the other is an image from the past… I think everyone at the venue felt a strange feeling.
“I wonder if you could see what’s ahead.”
The solo time in the middle was from Mr. Horiuchi. “This is the song (lyrics by Tanimura) that I wrote at the end of “ALICE “As a senior, let’s support the young people who will follow us with a big heart. That’s what this song feels like,” he said, singing “Yuzuriha” as if savoring every word of the lyrics.
The second one is Mr. Yazawa. “Some people might think that just by sitting in front of the piano, something bad will happen.” “Unlike me, their songs move people, cheer them up,” It’s a song that gives you courage and is like a medicine. My songs are like a side effect,” he says, drawing laughter from the audience.
“There are so many things that words can’t express, so today I’m going to leave it to singing,” he said, adding, “I’m going to take you to a hell of a dull piano and childish singing voice.Singing is the same as always.” It’s “Just Because You Are,” but I want to sing it for Tanimura.” Mr. Yazawa played the piano and sang in a simple voice.
The third person is Mr. Tanimura for the video. “While listening to Kin-chan’s (Mr. Yazawa) song, I felt like a parent excitedly watching their child run at a sports day.But, as expected of Kin-chan, he has shown off his six years of practice with great success.” I think he showed his full potential in this performance,” and continued to thrill the audience with his skillful storytelling. He prefaced the performance by saying, “I hope you listen to it while thinking of your irreplaceable friends,” before moving on to “Each Autumn.” She sang as if speaking about life’s struggles, setbacks, and sadness.
Mako Sakamoto’s “Music Soul” class=”wp-image-425099547″/>Video of Takao Horiuchi (center), Tooru Yazawa (right), and Shinji Tanimura in the background. Alice Concert 2024 “ALICE FOREVER ~Arigato~” ” = September 18, 2024, Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, photo by Hideo Nakajima
“It was my first adventurous trip.”
At the end of the live performance, things got really exciting starting with “Yumekoshi Machiikaku.” For both “Tears of Oath” and “Johnny’s Lullaby,” Mr. Tanimura and Mr. Horiuchi harmonized comfortably, and the chorus was sung in chorus by the entire venue. The scene where Mr. Tanimura introduced the band members one by one progressed very naturally, with the same lineup and order as in the live video.
After performing three songs in a row: “Espionage,” “Crazy Fruit,” and “No Return,” Mr. Tanimura said in the video, “For the three of us who were in our early 20s, Alice was our first adventurous journey.” He expressed his gratitude to the two members and the fans who have supported him for a long time, and moved on to the final song, “Listening to the train whistle in the distance.”
The first encore song, “Champion,” was the most exciting of the day, and it felt like the Nippon Budokan was shaking. Then, during “GOING HOME,” the audience continued to sing while footage of the February 2010 Tokyo Dome performance was played, creating a memorable ending.
“On behalf of Alice, I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart,” Horiuchi said in a choked voice.He waved at the photo of Tanimura on the big screen, and then he and Yazawa headed toward the audience. I bowed my head many times. The venue was filled with constant applause and the audience was shouting, “Thank you!”
After the performance, Mr. Horiuchi and Mr. Yazawa greeted everyone involved.
Yazawa said, “Ever since (Mr. Tanimura) passed away, my feelings for her have become stronger, and I can hear the songs even better, and I think Alice is really great.” Horiuchi said, “Alice has many different types of songs, and there are some very bluesy songs and jazzy songs, and there are some curveballs, so I really thought that they were an interesting band, and now I’m in the middle of it. I am very proud,” he said.
“Entrust your feelings that cannot be put into words” A song that connects generations
Mako Sakamoto’s “Soul of Music” class=”wp-image-425099549″ srcset=” 770w, 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px”/>Alice Concert 2024 “ALICE FOREVER ~Arigato~” From = September 18, 2024, Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, photo by Hideo Nakajima
Synchronized with the image, as if you were there
Alice debuted in 1972. They have released many hit songs into the world, and in 1978, they became the first Japanese artist to hold a successful three-day performance at the Nippon Budokan. They held a solo performance in Beijing in August 1981, and ceased their activities in November. After that, after several limited-time restarts, it was completely restarted in 2009.
I think people who experienced the popularity of Alice in the 1970s in real time are mainly people in their 60s and 70s who are older than the AG generation, but when I was in elementary school in my mid-50s, I also heard the popularity of Alice on TV and on the radio. I listened to and hummed “Winter Lightning” and “Champion.” When I picked up a folk guitar in the third year of junior high school, the first song I practiced was “Johnny’s Lullaby.”
I first interviewed Alice in 2001. The band restarted after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Concert held in Kobe on January 17 of the previous year, released the album “ALICE 0001” to commemorate their 30th anniversary, and toured nationwide. Mr. Tanimura said, “I feel like we should reset, be reborn, and have fun,” and Mr. Horiuchi said, “In order to support the core of Alice, it’s important for the three of us to have a firm belief in the future.” It’s written in an article from that time.
During this interview, Mr. Yazawa’s cell phone rang many times. Mr. Yazawa answers the phone and is asked for concert tickets one after another by acquaintances, asking for 4 tickets and 2 tickets. I still remember the kind expressions on the faces of Mr. Tanimura and Mr. Horiuchi as they laughed and watched.
In the fall of 2019, I interviewed Mr. Tanimura twice for a total of nearly 5 hours for a series project. Tanimura says that everything that happens in a 24-hour period becomes material for lyrics, and that he never has a complete break, but says, “I’ve never found music or songwriting difficult.” At the age of 30, when Alice was extremely busy, she collapsed from overwork and felt that the time spent in pursuit was a luxury. It’s absolutely wonderful,” she said with a bright smile.
It has been a year since Mr. Tanimura passed away, but at this Alice live performance, it felt like Mr. Tanimura was actually singing right in front of me. Most of the audience probably felt the same way. In addition to the exquisite synchronization effect with past live footage, I think one of the reasons why I was able to enjoy it without feeling out of place was that it has become common practice to watch live performances on a large screen at large venues.
The Osaka Castle Hall performance on October 13th may be my last concert as Alice. However, many of the works that have been loved for nearly half a century will continue to remain in the hearts of fans, and will be sung from generation to generation.
Alice, forever.
Have you been listening to music lately?
Looking back, I’m sure you too will have memories of being encouraged and healed by the songs and melodies. I hope you can continue to spend your time with music, even in your 40s and 50s.
With this wish in mind, Sakamoto, editor-in-chief of the Aging Gracefully project, who has been singing choral songs and rock music since childhood, and has been involved in his work, will bring you a story about music.
Interview and text: Asahi Shimbun Aging Gracefully Project Leader/Editor-in-Chief Mako Sakamoto
Photo = Hideo Nakajima (provided by Universal Music)
◆Alice Concert 2024 “ALICE FOREVER ~Arigato~”
Sunday, October 13th Doors open at 16:00 / Performance starts at 17:00 Osaka Castle Hall All seats reserved 11,000 yen (tax included)
Contact: Kyodo Information 0570-200-888
◆“Live broadcast! Alice Concert 2024 ALICE FOREVER ~Arigato~”
WOWOW October 13th (Sunday) from 17:00
◆Alice Concert 2024 “ALICE FOREVER ~Arigato~” (September 18, 2024, Nippon Budokan)
- Winter Lightning 1977 single
- Nobody Now 1976 single
- BURAI 1987 single
- LIBRA – Heart on the Right and Heart on the Left – Included in the 1981 album “ALICE IX Rebellion”
- Just like that day included in the 1976 album “ALICE V”
- Wrapped in Kindness Included in the 1975 album “ALICE IV”
- Run, Lover 1972 single
- For You 1972 single “Hymn to Tomorrow” Coupling
- Yuzuriha 2013 album “ALICE XI” included
- Just by having you Toru Yazawa solo song included in the 1978 album “Variety Tour”
- Each Autumn 1980 Single
- Autumn Stop Recorded in 1979 album “ALICE VII”
- Yumekoshi Machikaku (1979 album “ALICE VII”)
- Oath of Tears Recorded in the 1978 album “ALICE VI”
- Johnny’s Lullaby 1978 single
- Espionage 1981 single
- Crazy Fruit 1979 album “ALICE VII” included
- Days of No Return 1976 single
- While listening to the whistle in the distance 1976 single
★ENCORE - Champion 1978 single
- GOING HOME Included in the 2010 album “ALICE GOING HOME ~TOUR FINAL at BUDOKAN~”
“Entrust your feelings that cannot be put into words” A song that connects generations
Mako Sakamoto’s “Soul of Music” class=”wp-image-424970273″ style=”width:300px;height:auto”/>
“Entrust your feelings that cannot be put into words” A song that connects generations
Mako Sakamoto’s “Soul of Music” class=”wp-image-424970270″/>
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