Koshi Inaba

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Koshi Inaba


Img_size = 150
Img_capt =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Hiroshi Inaba
Origin = flagicon|Japan Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Born = birth date and age|1964|9|23
Genre = Hard rock
J-pop
J-Rock
Occupation = vocalist, lyricist, composer, instrumentialist
Years_active = 1988–present (B'z)
1997–present (solo)
Instrument = guitar, piano, blues-harp, drum, maraca, mandolin
Label = Rooms Record
Vermillion Records
Associated_acts = B'z
URL = [http://bz-vermillion.com/ B'z official web site]

nihongo|Koshi Inaba|稲葉浩志|Inaba Kōshi|extra= born on September 23, 1964 in Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture is a Japanese vocalist. His real name is nihongo|Hiroshi Inaba|稲葉浩志|Inaba Hiroshi. He graduated from the Faculty of Education at the Yokohama National University, and has a degree in mathematics.

Inaba is the vocalist and lyricist for the legendary Japanese rock and roll band, B'z.Their debut was in 1988, and he also started his solo career in 1997 with "Magma".

Inaba sang on the Steve Vai song "Asian Sky" from the album "The Ultra Zone" in 1999. He has also played with overseas musicians such as Greg Upchurch (Puddle of Mudd), Stevie Salas, and others.

His musical influences are Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen, Guns N' Roses etc. He respects David Coverdale, Robert Plant, and especially Steven Tyler as vocalists. He is also a big fan of Elvis Presley.Fact|date=November 2007

As a vocalist, he is well known for his powerful, high-pitched, wailing and wide ranging vocals, which emphasize and help express his lyrics clearly. He is an alto/counter-tenor much like his influences Robert Plant and Steven Tyler. Koshi has a wide vocal range, covering from G2(lowG) to B5(hihiB). This makes him into a versatile singer, able to sing from ballad to heavy metal.

In addition, he is a prominent lyricist. He is able to portray many emotions, from angry, sad, sexy, weird to lonely. His topics includes social issues (Liar! Liar!), war (Ai to Nikushimi no Hajimari), lost love and loneliness (Itsuka no Merry Christmas), hope of peace (ROOTS), etc.

His stage performances have led B'z to be the standard for live performances in Japan. He frequently jumps, run, leap and does everything he can to raise the intensity of the concert. This is very much in contrast with his calm personality off-stage.

While B'z songs are composed by Tak, Koshi is also an accomplished composer, as shown in his solo albums. He is also a multi-instrumentialist. While in B'z, he usually chooses the supporting member for drums.Fact|date=November 2007

As the vocalist for a very successful band, Koshi is very wealthy, always appearing high in the annual entertainer taxpayer list. He has topped the list many times and never fallen from the top 5 positions.Fact|date=November 2007

Discography

ingles

# Tooku Made (16 December 1998)
# KI (11 June 2003)
# Wonderland (14 July 2004)

Albums

# Magma (29 January 1997)
# Shian (9 October 2002)
# Peace of Mind (22 September 2004)

ee also

* Tak Matsumoto

External links

* [http://bz-vermillion.com/ B'z official website] ja icon