Influential Japanese rockers RC Succession (RC SUCCESSION) were formed in Tokyo by Kiyoshiro Imawano and began life as folk trio The Clover in 1968 before going on to reign supreme on the country's rock scene. The first iteration of the band, comprising vocalist/guitarist Kiyoshiro Imawano, guitarist Kenchi Haren, and bassist Wassho Rinko (real name Kazuo Kobayashi), bagged a deal with Toshiba and released their debut single in 1970, "Takarakuji ha Kawanai." Their first full-length debut, Shoki No RC Succession, landed in 1972 and was followed by two more studio albums after which a four-year recording break set in. Kenchi Haren was replaced by Reichi Nakaido in 1979, drummer Kozo Niida joined in 1978, and keyboardist Gee2Woo was welcomed into the fold in 1980 and the next decade saw the band come into their own. They became associated with Japan's burgeoning and internationally recognised pop music scene, forging a hit collaboration with Ryucihi Sakamoto in 1982 and amassing eight full-length albums in total during the '80s. RC Succession announced their indefinite hiatus in 1991 and following the death of Kiyoshiro Imawano from throat cancer in 2009, have yet to properly resurface.
