Whether or not you believe Kiyoshiro Imawano, who died in May, was Japan's King of Rock, he was the Mayor of Fuji Rock, having appeared almost every year until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2006.
The Saturday night tribute started with footage of the singer-songwriter riding his beloved bicycle on the big screens, accompanied by a recording of Fuji's official theme song, Kiyoshiro's "Inake e Iko" ("Let's Go to the Country"), and ended with everyone singing his most famous tune, "Ameagari no Yozora ni," which was doubly appropriate since it took place "under the night sky after the rain." Nevertheless, there wasn't a dry eye in attendance.
Listening to guest singers such as UA and the Ulfuls' Tortoise Matsumoto tackle his soul material, it was obvious how deeply influenced Kiyoshiro was by American music of the 1960s and '70s, and in particular southern R&B.
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