Takeshi Terauchi

Japanese Surf Rock Guitar Legend

Takeshi Terauchi, also known as Terry, is a renowned Japanese guitarist and leader of the instrumental rock group Takeshi Terauchi & The Bunnys and later Takeshi Terauchi & The Blue Jeans. Born in 1939, Terauchi is often credited with popularizing the electric guitar in Japan and is a key figure in the "Eleki" boom, a movement during the 1960s that was heavily influenced by Western surf rock and instrumental rock music. His style blends traditional Japanese melodies with the energetic sounds of surf rock and later on, he incorporated elements of Tsugaru-jamisen (a style of shamisen music from the Tsugaru region) into his work, creating a unique fusion that resonated with audiences.