Continuing from the previous article about music that you might hear around kaido racers, we continue with more artists of the 80s-90s. Mind you that this isn’t all of the artists and also that many people who are into kaido racers listen to other music besides Japanese artists. In fact, Auto Produce Bellezza’s mix CD contains a lot of disco songs and other American artists. I made a Spotify playlist of the tracks on that mix CD.
Here is the Spotify playlist of a few of the songs found on this article.
Boowy – BOØWY
Boøwy (pronounced BOH-ee) was a very influential rock/punk band in the 1980s. In 1981, guitarist and vocalist Kyosuke Himuro and guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei formed the band Bōi (暴威) as a flip of the British hard rock band “Girl.” The kanji for Bōi was already taken, so they changed their name to BOØWY. They had several chart-topping albums and singles making them a legendary band for Japanese Rock, further cemented in history by selling out nearly 100,000 tickets within ten minutes for their 2-night farewell concert “Last Gigs” at the Tokyo Dome in 1988. Their influence is also apparent in how many cars and scooters sported their stickers through the years. Himuro and Hotei both continued to have successful careers in music after Boowy disbanded, with Kyosuke Himuro launching a solo career and Tomoyasu Hotei forming the duo “Complex” before his solo career under “Hotei”.
![Japanese car magazine cover featuring a white sports car with custom graphics, Jr. Young Auto, October 1988 edition.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-car-1-1-725x1024.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![White Honda car with Boøwy band graphics on hood, Japanese text H X T on side; street view.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-car-2-1-1024x713.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Silhouette band decal on car door with guitar on headstock labeled 東京 meaning Tokyo.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-car-3-1-1024x1008.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Silhouette of a man leaning on a cane depicted on a Honda car hood.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-car-4-1-1024x733.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Vintage red Japanese car with rear spoiler and custom decals parked in rural area](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-car-5-1-1024x579.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Vintage red car from 1980s Japan with BOOWY decal on windshield and a sticker on the side window.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-car-6-1-1024x557.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Young woman riding a red Honda Dio AF18 scooter with HIMURO and KYOUSUKE Japanese text, and a decorative ribbon in a parking lot.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-himuro-1-1-677x1024.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Red and gold Honda Dio AF18 scooter in a parking lot with floral and geometric decals, featuring the text Nao-kun and Neo.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-himuro-2-1-835x1024.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Two customized scooters, a Honda Dio and a Honda Pax, parked on a pavement, featuring decals and graphics. Japanese text on the red scooter reads Kimagure.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-scooter-1-1-1024x825.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Two women squatting next to vibrantly decorated scooters at night. One scooter has 'ROCKY' on it. 1980s Japan.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-scooter-2-1-1024x578.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![A Honda Dio AF18 scooter with a portrait and the text HIMURO KYOSUKE parked by a lake shore.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boowy-scooter-3-885x1024.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
BUCK-TICK – バクチク
Buck-Tick is a Japanese Rock band that blends gothic, punk, and rock into their unique sound. The group was formed in 1983 in Fujioka, Gunma, where all 4 members attended the same high school. In the late 1980s, they started to gain in popularity with their album “Seventh Heaven”. Throughout the years they experimented with different sounds in their music like electronic and industrial. Credited as one of the founders of the visual kei movement, Buck-Tick has influenced many in both fashion and music. This comes as no surprise considering their long-running presence in music with their latest album being released in April 2023.
![Teen girl posing with decorated scooter and 'Buck-Tick' helmet, making peace sign; Japanese characters indicate 'Tochigi Prefecture.'](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/buck-tick-scooter-3-1-1024x961.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Decorated scooter with BUCK-TICK and TABOO text, and a pink helmet with Japanese writing, in a night setting.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/buck-tick-scooter-4-1-1024x786.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Red scooter with BUCK-TICK and band members' images on the front, parked on pavement. Japanese text: とリアルだなぁ on the right.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/buck-tick-scooter-1-833x1024.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Black and white scooter with custom Black Rider text and speakers on front, parked outdoors with Japanese text.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/buck-tick-1-edited.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
BARBEE BOYS – バービーボーイズ
BARBEE BOYS was formed in 1984 and had many hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their breakthrough album was “Konya mo Cocktail” with the hit single “Shojo A”. After a few more successful albums, they disbanded in 1992.
Miho Nakayama – 中山 美穂
Miho Nakayama debuted at 15 years old in 1985 with the chart-topping song “C“. By the late 1980s and early 1990s she released several popular albums and songs that would solidify her as a pop star. At the same time, she started her acting career with a drama called “Sukeban Deka II”. She also made the theme song for the live-action movie of Be-Bop High School.
![Retro black car with custom decals parked near colorful crates, person in black jumpsuit standing beside.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/miho-nakayama-1024x796.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
Minako Honda – 本田美奈子
Minako Honda was also a famous singer-turned-actress in the mid-80s. She debuted as an idol singer with the song “Satsui no Vacance” (“Murderous “Vacation”). She followed this with other popular singles such as “Temptation” and “Marilyn 1986.” In 1988 she formed a female rock band called “MINAKO with WILDCATS”. In 2005 she passed away from acute myeloid leukemia after undergoing many treatments.
![Two custom-tuned Toyota Mark II cars parked in a lot, featuring MINAKO and RET decals and distinct aerodynamic kits.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_7180-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
Akina Nakamori – 中森明菜
Akina Nakamori is probably one of the more popular female singers on this list, next to Seiko Matsuda. Someone once described the competition of pop icons of the 1980s between Akina Nakamori and Seiko Matsuda as similar to the American pop stars Cyndi Lauper and Madonna. Akina debuted in 1982 at the age of 16 with the single “Slow Motion”. She continued to release hit songs and won the Japan Record Award two consecutive years for “Meu amor é” and “Desire”.
![Japanese magazine cover from 1991 featuring a custom Nissan Fairlady Z 280zx S130 with an elaborate hood design and various text elements.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/akina-car-1-742x1024.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Custom car hood airbrush art featuring a portrait of a woman surrounded by colorful flowers, with Akiko written on it.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/akina-car-2-1024x878.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Customized scooter with anime-style artwork on the front panel, featuring a character with flowing hair and a colorful outfit.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/akina-scooter-1-753x1024.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Customized scooter featuring a painted woman's face, Dear Friend text, and Akina 87 writing on the front cover.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/akina-scooter-2-852x1024.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Top view of a truck with an illustration of a woman and the text Nakamori Akina painted on it, along with side text in Japanese.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/akina_03.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Back window decal with illustration of a woman promoting Akina Nakamori's album Unbalance + Balance. Text includes Japanese characters.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/akina_06.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Black and white car with Akina Milky Way text and illustrations of two women on the side, featuring bold, flowing hair.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/akina_11.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
Shizuka Kudo – 工藤 静香
Shizuka Kudo made her debut in 1985 with two others in the group “Seventeen Club”, however, the group didn’t sell well and disbanded after only two singles. In 1986 she auditioned for Fuji TV’s Yuyake Nyan Nyan and became the 38th member of Onyanko Club. In 1987 she made her solo debut with “Kindan no Telepathy”. By 1988 she started her work as an actress in the Fuji TV drama series “Kimi no Hitomi wo Taiho suru!” In 1989 she had a run of 3 bit hit songs “Koi Hitoyo”, “Arashi no Sogao”, and “Kousa ni Fukarete”.
![Car with a rear window decal of a woman's face and the word Shizuka in bold letters, parked in a busy lot.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shizuka-1.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Retro modified car with large rear spoiler in a Japanese parking lot, featuring Shizuka artwork on the back window.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shizuka-2.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
Rebecca – レベッカ
Rebecca was formed in 1982 and led by guitarist Takehiko Kogure. The name came from the American novel “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm”. They debuted in 1984 but struggled with record sales. By 1985 their drummer and Kogure left the band after disputes in musical direction. Along with changing members, they also switched their sound from a rock style to more of a synth-pop comparable to Madonna. By 1985 their third album came out and they had a string of hits including “Friends”. A 12-episode TV drama called “Half Potato Oretachi” included three of their songs, two of them being the opening and ending themes.
Seiko Matsuda – 松田 聖子
Seiko Matsuda is one of the most famous artists on this list. With the amount of chart-topping singles and albums in her career along with TV shows, commercials, movies, and radio broadcasts she was given the title of “Eternal Idol”. In 2011 it was reported she was the 2nd best-selling idol of all time with almost 30 million records sold, with Akina Nakamori in 3rd place. She once held the record for 25 number-one hits from 1983-2000. She was born on March 10th, 1962 in Chikuho, Fukuoka Prefecture. There used to be a rumor that she was a yankii (delinquent) growing up, which made other yankii interested in her.
The Checkers – チェッカーズ
The Checkers was a Rock & Roll / Doo Wop band that saw popularity in the 1980s. They debuted in 1983, but didn’t see success until their second single, Namida no Request. The band’s name was inspired by other bands they listened to at the time that started with “C” and ended with “S”, “COOLS” and “CHANELS” (both in the previous article).
Onyanko Club – おニャン子クラブ
Onyanko Club or “Kitty Club” is a large pop idol group that made their debut on the variety show Yūyake Nyan Nyan (“Sunset Meow Meow”). Their debut single was “Sailor Fuku o Nugasanai de” which translates to “Don’t Make Me Take Off My Sailor Uniform.” Many of the members would go on and become solo artists.
![Group of smiling girls in colorful Sailors uniforms waving, with balloons in the background at a festive event.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-5-1024x690.png?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Michael Jackson wearing a red Sailors jacket and black hat with curly hair, smiling, and standing next to a car.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-7.png?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
Sailors (セーラーズ) is a popular 80s apparel brand from Shibuya that Onyanko Club would often wear.
![Colorful custom cars with a Toyota Mark II GX71 with neon underglow lights and decorations driving through a tunnel in a lively car parade.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-3.png?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
Yutaka Ozaki – 尾崎 豊
Yutaka Ozaki was a rock/folk singer from the 1980s. Many of his songs revolved around being rebellious towards typical societal norms and anti-establishment. The single “15 no Yoru” was released around the same time as his first album Juunanasai no Chizu (Map of the Seventeen Year Old). His death was unexpected at the age of 26 when he was found naked and intoxicated in an alleyway. Some suggest it might have been a homicide.
![Vintage Yamaha Jog scooter with a pink and white Ozaki color scheme and checkered detailing parked on a dark street.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ozaki-scooter-829x1024.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
Princess Princess – プリンセス プリンセス
Princess Princess was a 5 person all-female rock band that had a string of popular songs in the 1980s. By 1989 their third album and seventh single release “Diamonds” brought them into number 1 song status while also becoming the first CD single to reach 1 million sales in Japan.
![Customized black and pink convertible car with Princess decal parked outdoors with text in Japanese above it.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/princess.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Model toy car next to Princess Princess 1990 Growing Up album on table, creating a nostalgic scene from the '90s.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/princess-princess-1-1024x801.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)
![Young man sitting on a Yamaha motorbike with custom graphics, making a peace sign with nature in the background.](https://b2915531.smushcdn.com/2915531/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/princess-princess-1024x982.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=0)