Tag Archives: Magazines
B’z: The Chronicle Book Due Out for 30th Anniversary
News 
The fourth in a long-term series of B’z books about their history, this time entitled B’z: The Chronicle, has just been announced. The release, written by Akira Saeki, comes in a special edition including a limited postcard print and a standard retail version. Both editions come packed with exclusive photos shot for the occasion, exclusive long-form interviews, a review of the hometown shows from B’z SHOWCASE 2017 -B’z In Your Town-, a report on B’z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2018 -HINOTORI- in Okinawa, and setlist and discography reviews.
B’z: The Chronicle will be on shelves September 21, 2018.
Ten Years On: B’z as Guinness World Record Holders
News 
On March 12, 2008, coinciding with their twentieth anniversary year, B’z were awarded a Guinness World Record for “Best selling album act in Japan” bearing the commendation:
The best selling album act in Japan is a hard rock duo B’z (Japan) who has sold more than 42 million albums by 2008. They have also sold more than 34 million singles which makes them the best selling music act in Japan overall.
Presently, with the release of late 2017 effort DINOSAUR, the band have sold over 46,000,000 albums. As noted in the Guinness record, this makes them the best sold act in Japanese history when combined with single sales. The album record is set to stand for some time as most contemporary acts combined are not within contention.
Other sales records held by B’z at this time include the most number one singles (49), most consecutive number one singles (49), longest streak of number one singles (49), total weeks singles were at number one (66), longest consecutive period with a single at number one (20 Years), most singles in the top 10 concurrently (9), the most million-selling albums (19), most number-one albums (26), total CD shipments (100,000,000), total CD sales (81,500,000), and the only artist in history to lead all six major categories tracked by Oricon. On November 19, 2007, B’z also became the first Asian artists to be inducted to Hollywood’s RockWalk.
B’z Featured in Cover Story for Relaunched Rolling Stone Japan
News 
It has just been announced that B’z will appear in a cover story for Rolling Stone Japan‘s relaunch issue. The story will center on readers’ topics, their latest album DINOSAUR, and the creative secrets therein. The magazine will hit shelves later this month on Christmas Day in Japan.
B’z previously appeared in the December 2009 issue of the former version of the magazine, also in a cover story. At the time, the band were promoting MAGIC and provided background information on the album’s production.
Japanese Magazine PLAYER “2015 Readers’ Poll”
News Japanese music magazine PLAYER has published its annual readers’ poll in the latest issue. Check out the ratings below.
Category “Best Artist”: B’z ranked 2nd
Category “Best New Album”: EPIC DAY ranked 2nd
Category “Best Live Performance”: B’z ranked 2nd
Catagory “Best Vocalist”: Koshi Inaba ranked 1st
Category “Best Guitarist”: Tak Matsumoto ranked 1st
Category “Best Drummer”: Shane Gaalaas ranked 6th
Category “Best Bassist”: Barry Sparks ranked 12th
B’z Interview & Cover of WHAT’S IN? March 2015 Issue
News For the first time in 10 years, B’z is on the front cover of an issue of the WHAT’S IN? magazine. This particular issue features a special interview with B’z which will detail all the tracks on their new upcoming album「EPIC DAY」, including 「Endless Summer」, which is the B-side to the recently released single「Uchouten」. The magazine is out on February 14th. I have already ordered my issue and will hopefully be able to provide all the information on the album over the weekend. Stay tuned!
By the way, the last time B’z was on the cover was in 2005! Here are both covers:
B’z on the cover of the March 2015 issue of WHAT’S IN?
B’z on the cover of WHAT’S IN? in 2005
Young Guitar Slash & Tak Talk Summary
Feature 
Tak Matsumoto and Slash on the cover of the February issue of「Young Guitar」
The February 2015 issue (released January 10th) of Young Guitar magazine features Tak Matsumoto and Slash together in the cover story and this is our write-up. The article begins by explaining that Tak and Slash have a lot in common: They have their own Gibson Signature Models, they have each won a Grammy Award, they’ve both released a slew of #1 albums—so it was about time that the two sat down for a proper talk. As it turns out, they have even more in common!
Find out more after the break!