Imawano Kiyoshiro, one of Japan's great rock-and-rollers, has died after a long battle with cancer. As lead singer for RC Succession, he debuted in 1970 with the classic single "Takurakuji wa kawanai" (I never buy lottery tickets), and for the next four decades he released countless unique singles and albums, all featuring his dotty, warbling vocals. He was a punk before punk, an indies rocker before indies, but above all he just wanted to be a Memphis soul singer. Perhaps his personal career high point was when he got to sing Otis Redding's "Dock of the Bay" backed by Booker T. and the MGs on his 1992 "Have Mercy!" tour (video here).

Here's one of my favorite RC Succession records, "Boku no suki na sensei" (My favorite teacher, 1972). Here's live video of them performing "Transistor Radio." Here's Kiyoshiro's solo punked out version of "Kimigayo," the Japanese national anthem. And here's his stunning "Akogare no Kitachosen" (Lovable North Korea).

He was also a noted environmentalist: he usually rode to gigs on his bicycle. After his initial diagnosis with cancer, Kiyoshiro mounted a spectacular comeback concert at Budokan early last year. He was scheduled to play Fuji Rock last summer, too, but had to cancel when his cancer flared back up.

God, what a loss. It's hard to think of a more beloved figure in Japanese rock history. I'm stunned.

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