Vow Wow

Vow Wow is a hard rock band from Japan, who are regarded with influencing many hard rock and heavy metal bands.

Beginning as Bow Wow in 1975, they changed their name to Vow Wow in 1984 when they adopted a more commercial sound, and recruited vocalist Genki Hitomi. In 1987 the band relocated to England, and were without a bassist for a short-time, as their current bassist stayed in Japan. Former Whitesnake bassist Neil Murray offered to join the band, and they began recording the album V with producer Kit Woolven (Thin Lizzy, David Bowie), and were asked by Tommy Vance to create the jingles for his British radio programme, the Friday Rock Show. After another album, they recorded the classic hard-rock anthem "Rock Me Now" and returned to Japan for a nation tour.

Although experiencing commercial success, Genki wanted to remain in Japan to begin a family with his girlfriend. At the same time, guitarist Kyoji Yamamoto and drummer Toshihiro Niimi were invited to join the supergroup Phenomena. The band decided to record one more album, titled Helter Skelter in 1989 which was handled by Tony Taverner (Gypsy Kings, Black Sabbath, Robert Palmer). After the album, the band members returned to Japan, while Neil joined Black Sabbath. Shortly after they disbanded, producers Nick Griffiths (Queen, Paul McCartney) and Bob Ezrin requested to create an album with them. The band reunited without Kenji or Neil on bass, as they were both actively touring, and instead recruited American studio bass player Mark Gould for the album. In 1990, they recorded and released their final album Mountain Top.

Genki became a high-school teacher, while the other members each continued separate musical careers. In 1995, Kyoji and Toshihiro reunited as BowWow.