Fascinated with blues, he headed to Chicago with a change of clothes and a guitar in 1988.
Though it was his first time in the states and he knew no one (or much english for that matter), he spent the whole time doing live sessions at Chicago's various blues clubs.
(At first he asked to play and before long, he was introduced from club to club) After coming back to Japan, he signed with WEA and released his debut solo album in 1990.
The album's rhythm section consisted of Gerry MaCaboy(Bass) and Brendan O'niel(Drums) from the Rory Gallagher Band.
That same year, he appeared in the Japan Blues Carnival co-starred by James Cotton and Lonnie Brooks.
Ichiro was the first Japanese guitarist to become a Gibson USA/Endorsee.
His second album was recorded in LA with Bob Glaub(Bass), Marc Brown(Bass), Chad Cromwell(Drums), Rob Ladd(Drums) and Greg Droman, from the Joe Walsh band, as the engineer. Impressed with ichiro's guitar playing ability, Albert Collins accepted an invitation to play on the album as a special guest.
While visiting Austin, he played a session with Stephen Bruton, guitarist for the Bonnie Raitt Band.
Through his career he has had the chance to play with Joanna Connor, Stevie Salas, Paul Jackson, Zack Starkey(The Who), John Entwistle(The Who), Billy Preston, Eikichi Yazawa and many others.
In 2005, he appeared at the Fuji Rock Festival with Papa Grows Funk from New Orleans.
-Solo,Bands-
1991 ichiro
1993 The Sons(ex Sons Of Blues)
2005 Rockamenco
2006 GIBIER du MARI (with Mari Natsuki)
I have a new poem entitled "LIVING HOPE" that is posted on my blog at: www.myspace.com/mhwdrummer Let me know what you think. Have a great week! Mark Welling
The Rockers are offering Land of the Free as a free download during the Independence Day weekend as a gesture of support for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families. We are releasing the song ahead of schedule to support our American heroes. God bless the USA!
“Realize that when you get older, you either get senile or become gracious. There's no in-between. You become senile when you think the world short-changed you, or everybody wakes up to screw you. You become gracious when you realize that you have something the world needs, and people are happy to see you when you come into the room.” ~Carlos Santana
Let the Music (make you gracious and) Set You Free
hey! long time no talk..:) i want to get back in touch with you and we're using a different myspace page now!! the page i check all the time is: www.myspace.com/thekickkick.. the page also has the details about the big concert at the Cap Fed Park (@ Sandstone) amphitheater this Saturday.. can't remember if we've chatted since then, but we're opening up for David Cook headlining the Red, White & Boom 14 show this year!! its gonna be crazy and we're going big-- stadium style for this performance! Also playing with us is Ashley Tisdale, White Tie Affair, the Veronicas and alot more!! wish you could join us for the event!! i'd take ya backstage!!:) Anyways, the band also has a new album available and details is on that page, too.. but anyways, keep in touch!! and keep on ballin' outta control!!!
