Takuro (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Takuro
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Takuro (wearing sunglasses) in 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Takuro Kubo |
| Born | May 26, 1971 Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupations | Musician, lyricist |
| Instruments | Guitar, piano, keyboards |
| Years active | 1988-present |
| Labels | Toshiba-EMI, Capitol |
Takurō Kubo (Japanese: 久保 琢郎, Hepburn: Kubo Takurō, born May 26, 1971 in Hakodate, Hokkaido), known by his stage name TAKURO, is a Japanese musician. He is famous as one of the guitarists and the leader of the rock band Glay. Takuro also writes most of the songs and lyrics for Glay. Besides his work with Glay, he has created music for other artists and released his own solo albums.
Takuro and his older sister were raised by their mother. His father passed away when Takuro was three years old. He says his mother's singing greatly influenced his early interest in music. He was very impressed by how she sang.
Contents
About Takuro's Life
Early Life and Music
Takuro was deeply moved by his mother's singing when he was a child. He felt the strong emotions in her voice. This experience taught him about the power of singing. He believed that music could encourage people.
Later, as a teenager, Takuro was inspired by John Lennon. He became very interested in writing song lyrics. Many of his songs are about his own feelings and experiences. He also writes about events happening in the world.
Takuro often shares his thoughts on different topics. Newspapers have asked him to write articles. For example, in 2007, he wrote a series of articles about his hometown, Hakodate, for the Asahi newspaper. He also shared his experiences growing up in a single-parent family.
In 2001, Takuro and Ryuichi Sakamoto started "Artists Power." This group brings together musicians who want to find new ways to create energy. At a concert in Hokkaido in 2001, some of the energy used came from alternative fuels. There was even a display showing how these generators worked.
In 2003, Takuro released a book called "Kyoukai." It is an autobiography, which means he wrote about his own life. The book covers his childhood in Hakodate and his music career.
Takuro also hosted radio shows. He had a show called "Glay Radio Communication DX" from 2003 to 2005. Before that, he hosted "Takuro Radio Factory."
Family Life
Takuro married Japanese model Seri Iwahori in May 2004. They met in 2003 while he was filming a small part in the movie Casshern. Takuro and Seri have a son, born in October 2005, and a daughter, born in October 2007. They have homes in Los Angeles, California and Tokyo.
Takuro's Solo Music
Takuro has released instrumental albums, which means they feature music without singing.
Album: Instrumental Collection
- artist: TAKURO
- release date: September 19, 1998
- Tracks:
- HOWEVER
- SOUL LOVE
- Yes, Summerdays
- Ikiteku Tsuyosa
- Miyako Wasure
- a Boy~Zutto Wasurenai~
- Kuchibiru
- Manatsuno Tobira
- Zutto Futari de...
- Glorious
- Yuuwaku
- BELOVED
Album: FLOW of SOUL vol 1. Takuro meets Vanessa Mae
- artists: Takuro and Vanessa Mae
- release date : April 24, 2002
- tracks:
- Way of Difference
- Francis Elena featuring Vanessa Mae
- Zutto Futtari de・・
- Glorious
- a Boy ～zutto wasurenai～
- Kanojo no "Modern・・・"
- HOWEVER
- I'm in Love
- Yuuwaku
- Biribiri crashman
- Sen no naifu ga mune wo sasu
- Pure Soul
Stealth Collaboration
Takuro has also worked with Toki from the Japanese band C:4. They formed a group called "Stealth." On September 25, 2002, they released a single called "Re-lax." In May 2009, they performed live for the first time with other musicians. Stealth released the song "-Sickbed-" online on October 13, 2010. They also announced their first album, "Alstroemeria."
Writing Songs for Other Artists
Takuro has written songs for many other musicians. Sometimes he writes the lyrics, and sometimes he composes the music.
- "Summer Shakes" and "I believe you"
- Single: Summer Shakes
- Artist: Miju
- "Mitsumeteitai" and "Moon~ watashi he"
- Single: Mitsumeteitai
- Artist: ROMI
- "Couples" and "Love Is Always Trouble"
- Single: Couples
- Artist: Miju
- "Love Clover" and "Empty Pocket"
- Single: Love Clover
- Artist: Miho Nakayama
- kokoro ni amega
- Single: kokoro ni amega
- Artist: Hideki Ohtoku
- Fairyland
- Single: Fairyland
- Artist: Yuki Koyanagi
(He used the name "L. Soul" for this)
- Rhythm to Rule
- Single: Rhythm to Rule
- Artist: Ryoko Shinohara
(He composed the music using the name "L. Soul")
- "Drama" and "Time Limit"
- Album: Distance
- Artist: Hikaru Utada
(He composed the music with Utada Hikaru, using the name "Kubo Takuro." "Time Limit" was also released as a single)
- Sweet Season
- Single: Sweet Season
- Artist: SONO
(He composed the music using the name "L.Soul")
- Engaged
- Album: Hana
- Artist: Tak Matsumoto
(Music by Takuro and Tak Matsumoto)
- Lovebite
- Album: Style
- Artist: Namie Amuro
- Fuyu no etorage
- Album: Singer for Singer
- Artist: Misia
(This was the theme song for the movie Umineko. TERU also sang backing vocals)
- Ruten
- Album: Romantic Energy
- Artist: Joshijunigakubo (Twelve Girls Band)
- Kiss from a Rose
- Album: Sing and Roses
- Artist: Misato Watanabe
(He composed the music)
- "Hitoiro" and "Eyes for the Moon"
- Single: Hitoiro
- Artist: Nana starring Mika Nakashima
("Hitoiro" is the theme song for the movie Nana 2. "Eyes for the Moon" is on the movie's soundtrack)
- Say Something
- Album: In the Mood
- Artist: Kyosuke Himuro
(He wrote the lyrics)
- Go ahead!!!
- Single: Go Ahead!!!
- Artist: Mitsuhiro Oikawa
(He composed the music)
- Koi Suru Kimochi
- Single: Koi Suru Kimochi
- Artist: Emi Takei
(This was Takei's first single)
Other Music Projects
Takuro has also played guitar or collaborated on songs for other artists' albums and singles.
- Single: Bridge over troubled water
- Artist: Junko
- Song: Together (Takuro played guitar)
- Album: Poetic Evolution
- Artist: Yukinojo Mori
- Song: Ango (with HISASHI and TERU)
- Single: ZERO LANDMINE
- Artist: N.M.L.(NO MORE LANDMINE)
- Song: ZERO LANDMINE (Takuro played guitar)
- Album: Kuzu Album
- Artist: Kuzu
- Song: ai nante (with TERU)
- Album: In the Mood
- Artist: Kyosuke Himuro
- Song: Say Something (with Glay)
Books by Takuro
Takuro has written several books, including his autobiography and photo books.
- Along the Line: A photo book created in Africa.
- Kyoukai (2003): His autobiography, where he writes about his personal life and music.
- "Super Stars" (November 2006): A photo book by Leslie Kee. Takuro was one of 300 famous Asian people featured in the book.
- Hokkaido e (July 2008): This book includes articles written by Takuro and other authors. These articles were first published in the Asahi Newspaper in 2007.
See also
In Spanish: Takuro para niños
