7/25/12

John Lennon & George Harrison Japan 1966

John Lennon & George Harrison Backstage Japan 1966

Here is a rare photo of John Lennon and George Harrison tuning up their guitars backstage in Tokyo, Japan in 1966. From June 30 to July 2 of that year, the Beatles performed five concerts at the Nippon Budokan indoor arena in Tokyo. Of course, all the shows were sold out and the live television broadcasts captured an incredible 60% audience rating. These concerts were the first musical events ever held at the Budokan arena, which was originally dedicated for the competition of traditional martial arts. These landmark shows also inspired many young Japanese to start playing guitars and the biggest ever Japanese rock band revolution soon followed. That movement forever changed the direction of the Japanese popular music scene.

Perhaps the above photo was taken prior to the start of this show:



See also:

David Bowie tribute to John Lennon - 'Mother'

2 comments:

  1. And somewhere in the Budokan Yoko was watching, waiting and plotting when to strike...

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  2. Even to this day, one can still hear The Beatles music playing in department stores, shopping malls, McD's and Starbucks in Tokyo. So they are still a big part of the modern-day Japanese music scene.

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