The Alfee

The Alfee
Also known asAlfie, The KanLeKeeZ
OriginTokyo, Japan
Genres
Years active1973–present
LabelsVictor, Pony Canyon, EMI, Universal/Virgin
MembersMasaru Sakurai
Kohnosuke Sakazaki
Toshihiko Takamizawa
Past membersYasuo Miyake
Websitewww.alfee.com

The Alfee (formerly spelled Alfie) is a Japanese rock band formed in Tokyo in 1973. Originally a folk quartet,[2] they became a trio of bassist Masaru Sakurai, acoustic guitarist Kohnosuke Sakazaki and electric guitarist Toshihiko Takamizawa in 1975. With all three performing vocal duties, they adopted a harder rock sound in the early 1980s.[2] Beginning with their 16th single "Marie-Anne" in 1983, they have released 58 consecutive top 10 singles.[3] The Alfee hold the record for most concerts performed by a Japanese band, with 2,888 as of December 2023.[4][5] HMV Japan ranked them number 92 on their list of the top 100 Japanese pop acts.[2]

  1. ^ a b c "THE ALFEE『友よ人生を語る前に』インタビュー" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. July 31, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023. ...THE ALFEEが持つプログレやハードロック、そして、フォークといったあらゆる音楽性を融合させながら、それぞれの輪郭をはっきり表現したナンバーだなと感じました。
  2. ^ a b c "Top 100 Japanese pops Artists - No. 92" (in Japanese). HMV Japan. August 31, 2003. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "デビュー50周年のTHE ALFEE、58作連続シングルTOP10入り 男性アーティスト歴代1位タイに【オリコンランキング】" (in Japanese). Oricon. July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "THE ALFEE、結成50周年の夏「古希を恐れずまっしぐら!」" (in Japanese). Oricon. July 31, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "THE ALFEE、バンド初の日本武道館公演通算100本達成 結成50年で大台到達「本当に感謝しかありません」" (in Japanese). Oricon. December 25, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2024.