Style Resume. Noriaki Onuki #3

2025.9.5

Text： Kenichi Aono

Edit： Suzuki Yusuke

Whether it's fashion, music, or sports, there is a style that only each person can express in any genre. "Style is Everything." That's right, someone once said that style is everything. "Style Resume" is a series of interviews with adults who, as the name suggests, have style. Updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the 13th installment features music critic, radio DJ, and organizer of the DJ event "LONDON NITE," which will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2025.

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03. Why I was attracted to The Ventures and The Beatles.

The Ventures were an American instrumental band, and I was literally blown away by the "teke teke teke" of their electric guitar. On the other hand, the Beatles were great because they were electric and had vocals and choruses. In that sense, the Ventures were unique. I only discovered instrumental bands other than the Ventures later in life. I think there were many people in Japan who felt the same way, including Ed Yamaguchi.

The Beatles stood out among the bands of the so-called "Liverpool sound" - I later learned that this is a term used only in Japan - which is called "Merseybeat" overseas, or more broadly, "British Beat." I think it's fair to say that the Beatles were the only bands that enjoyed worldwide popularity.

The Beatles were popular like idols, but I didn't have a favorite individual in particular, I just liked them as a band. Thinking back, I didn't have a favorite member in any other bands either, I just liked the band as a whole. I loved the music, and looks and fashion were secondary. At the time I was a very pure music fan, and I think it wasn't until I entered high school and started reading magazines like Heibon Punch that I became interested in fashion.

When you think of Noriaki Onuki, many people will think of "LODON NITE." Japan's first rock DJ event, which began in 1980 and created the value of "dancing to rock music," will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2025 with an anniversary party held on July 26th at Oppara in Enoshima.

Profile

Noriaki Onuki (music critic and radio DJ)

Born in February 1951, Kenrocks began his career as a music critic while still a university student, and has been active for over half a century. He has a particularly deep knowledge of punk rock, and launched "LONDON NITE" at Tsubaki House in Shinjuku in June 1980, a DJ event that continues to this day and whose influence is immeasurable. In January 2025, he published "HISTORY OF KENSHO ONUKI: A Memoir." "Kenrocks Nite - Ver. 2" is currently broadcast every Friday from midnight on inter FM.

Instagram @kensho_onuki