The Finger Five are inevitably described as “the Japanese Jackson Five”, and with good reason. The group was composed of the four Yamamoto brothers, Kazuo, Mitsuo, Masao, Akira, and sister Taeko, with the youngest of the bunch, Akira and his trademark big glasses, fronting the band. The Okinawa-based group performed catchy songs, wore matching outfits and had choreographed dance routines. They even performed cover versions of Motown hits, including those of the Jackson Five. The band was formed in 1967 with only the three brothers Kazuo, Mitsuo and Masao, who performed as All Brothers. Conveniently their father owned a bar in Okinawa at which they performed. After winning a local talent contest it was decided that they could go farther if based in Tokyo, although at the time the eldest brother Kazuo was still only 14. The group, who were partly inspired by the Partridge Family TV show, struggled in the Tokyo area, often playing at venues that catered to US military, as they had done in Okinawa. In 1970 they signed with King Records as the Baby Brothers, but their three releases did not sell well. In early 1972 Akira and Taeko were added to the group and they became Finger Five. Later that year they debuted on the Phillips label, with
First Album, and scored a huge hit with the single “Kojin Jugyo (Private Class)" in 1973. “Kojin Jugyo” sold almost a million and a half copies, and follow-up singles “Koi No Dial 6700 (Love Call 6700)" and “Gakuen Tengoku...
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The Finger Five are inevitably described as “the Japanese Jackson Five”, and with good reason. The group was composed of the four Yamamoto brothers, Kazuo, Mitsuo, Masao, Akira, and sister Taeko, with the youngest of the bunch, Akira and his trademark big glasses, fronting the band. The Okinawa-based group performed catchy songs, wore matching outfits and had choreographed dance routines. They even performed cover versions of Motown hits, including those of the Jackson Five. The band was formed in 1967 with only the three brothers Kazuo, Mitsuo and Masao, who performed as All Brothers. Conveniently their father owned a bar in Okinawa at which they performed. After winning a local talent contest it was decided that they could go farther if based in Tokyo, although at the time the eldest brother Kazuo was still only 14. The group, who were partly inspired by the Partridge Family TV show, struggled in the Tokyo area, often playing at venues that catered to US military, as they had done in Okinawa. In 1970 they signed with King Records as the Baby Brothers, but their three releases did not sell well. In early 1972 Akira and Taeko were added to the group and they became Finger Five. Later that year they debuted on the Phillips label, with
First Album, and scored a huge hit with the single “Kojin Jugyo (Private Class)" in 1973. “Kojin Jugyo” sold almost a million and a half copies, and follow-up singles “Koi No Dial 6700 (Love Call 6700)" and “Gakuen Tengoku” were also major hits. Their songs were primarily about school life and puppy love, and most of their fans were youngsters. After working hard for years, the group had attained superstar status. They became regulars on the weekly TV show
Ginza NOW, and made the movies
Hello Finger Five,
Chonoryoku Dayo! Zenin Shugo and
Finger Five No Dai Boken, all of which were released in 1974. That year they also held a joint concert with Canada’s De Franco Family. The group, however, were not able to hold onto to their popstar crown very long. In 1975 Kazuo dropped out of the group, and his cousin Minoru Gushiken replaced him. The group was feeling overwhelmed by the sudden stardom thrust on them, and after a good-bye tour, relocated to the States for late 1975 and early 1976. Besides catching their breath, the members wanted to approach their craft more seriously and evolve beyond being “idols”. However in their absence, interest in the group waned, and when they returned to release their more mature music, sales evaporated. In 1978 they disbanded, although some members have attempted comebacks, in 1980 as Fingers, 1985 as Zapp, in 1991 as Finger Five, in 1992 as Finger Five Soul Band, and in 1994 as AM Fingers. Finger Five are not widely known by young people today, but are still remembered fondly by people who experienced their boom era in real time.
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