Southern All Stars' Keisuke Kuwata releases comment on the publication of his book "About the So-called 'Southern'"

■ “We are still not recognized by the public as ‘legitimate musicians'” (Kuwata Keisuke of Southern All Stars)

A book entitled “About the So-called ‘Southern'” that chronicles the journey of Southern All Stars from their birth to their rise to national artist status, through their indefinite hiatus, and on to the present day, will be published on August 21st.

Since the beginning of 2024, Southern All Stars have been announcing new news one after another, including the digital release of their new song “Koi no Boogie Woogie Night,” the release of their first original album in nine years this winter, and performing as the final act at the outdoor music festival “ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2024 in HITACHINAKA,” and they are set to continue to lead the music scene in the summer of 2024.

This is the definitive version of “About Southern All Stars” that could only be written by music critic Nobuaki Onuki, who has interviewed them on every occasion for over 40 years and is the only one who has continued to listen to their words. It is a one-of-a-kind non-fiction that frankly writes about the unknown history of Southern.

Kuwata Keisuke gave numerous lengthy additional interviews for this work, and spoke frankly about both the light and dark sides of Southern All Stars’ 46 years together.

Kuwata has released a comment about the publication of this book. The comment will also be printed on the book jacket.

This will be the first time that Kuwata Keisuke has commented on a book about Southern All Stars that he did not write himself.

■ Comment from Keisuke Kuwata of Southern All Stars
Once upon a time, “frivolousness” was an honor,
There was a time when there was a certain tolerance for naughty things.
We got carried away and forgot to stop.
He is still not recognized by the public as a “decent musician.”
–Kesuke Kuwata of Southern All Stars
■Comment from author Nobuaki Onuki
This book is the culmination of the author’s more than 40 years of reporting on Southern All Stars.
At the same time, we asked Keisuke Kuwata to look back on the history of the band, and the results of that work are used in all chapters. The episodes from the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras written here are not just “cut-outs” from the time, but have been newly examined, and I think there is great value in that.
In fact, when the writing was in full swing, he sent me this message: “I want you to depict not only the bright side of Southern All Stars, but also the other side of them.” These words gave the book an even more realistic feel.
Although I may be a little biased, this is the first story in Japan to chronicle the history of Southern All Stars at a reasonable length.
“When I was reading it, I suddenly wanted to listen to Southern All Stars.”
I would be very happy if those who read this book said something like this.
–Nobuaki Onuki

Book Information

2024.08.21 ON SALE
“About the so-called ‘Southern'”
Author: Nobuaki Onuki

Prologue: The Birth of Southern All Stars
Chapter 1: 1978 – The impulse of “Katte ni Sindbad” and the cunning of “My Dear Ellie”
Chapter 2: 1981 – The confidence I gained from “MISS BRAND-NEW DAY”
Chapter 3: 1985~ The 2-disc masterpiece “KAMAKURA” is the “beginning” of the “end”
Chapter 4: 1987 – 10th anniversary of debut, announcing the revival of “Minna no Uta”
Chapter 5: 1991 – The sweet and salty “Tears in the Kiss” takes the charts by storm
Chapter 6: 1995 – The birth of “Manpee’s G★SPOT”
Chapter 7: 1999 – The “lonelyness” depicted in the new representative song “TSUNAMI”
Chapter 8: 2003 – Unwavering determination and the development of “Killer Street”
Chapter 9: 2008 – The night of the indefinite hiatus that brought tears to the stadium
Chapter 10: 2019 – “SMILE” in a world where people tend to look down
Final Chapter 2023 ~ A sincere message from Kuwata as the band approaches its half-century anniversary
Afterword

Book details page
https://www.suirinsha.co.jp/books/detail13.html

Special article by Nobuaki Onuki to commemorate the publication
https://note.com/suirinsha/n/ne694e53dae22

Southern All Stars OFFICIAL SITE
https://southernallstars.jp