Akira “Joe” Yamanaka
September 2, 1946 – August 7, 2011
Joe Yamanaka was a singer who is perhaps best remembered as the lead vocalist for Japanese prog rock group, Flower Travellin’ Band. Formed as a cover band in 1968, their intent was to introduce Japanese audiences to the sounds of such western rock artists as Jefferson Airplane, Cream and Jimi Hendrix. Yamanaka joined the group the following year as they were beginning to record original music and after they relocated to Los Angeles, California. Flower Travellin’ Band broke up in 1973, but reunited for good in 2007 with Yamanaka on board as the front man. Outside of group, Yamanaka released several solo albums, one of which included his biggest hit, “Proof Of The Man,” which sold in excess of 500,000 copies and made him a household name throughout Asia. In early 1982, Yamanaka became the lead singer of the Wailers as replacement for the recently deceased Bob Marley with whom he was good friends. He fronted the Wailers for the better part of the next five years. Yamanaka was also an accomplished actor, appearing in several Japanese films and at least one American one – mostly in “tough guy” roles. During the spring of 2010, Joe Yamanaka was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was 64 when he ultimately died from it on August 7, 2011.
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