Happy End

Seminal Japanese folk rock band featuring Haruomi Hosono, Eiichi Ohtaki, Takashi Matsumoto and Shigeru Suzuki formed by Hosono and Matsumoto after the disbanding of Apryl Fool in autumn 1969. Released the first of three studio albums in August 1970, with their second, [m288654] (November 1971), regarded as their "masterpiece", regularly topping critics polls. Prolific as sidemen, the members contributed to numerous projects during the band's lifetime and beyond, and went on to find commercial success with solo and group ventures (in Matsumoto's case as a hugely successful lyricist).

The group officially split on New Years Eve 1972, a month after the release of the first solo album by Ohtaki, and two months before the release of the band's third and final studio album in February 1973. Hosono's first solo album followed in June of the same year. Happy End's first compilation album, [m288653], was issued in September, and the group reformed for a special live event with guest musicians the same month, a performance recorded and released as [m484610] the following January. The compilation [m530234] featuring group and solo releases was issued in June 1974. Suzuki's debut solo album, [m123644], was issued in March 1975.

A further one-off reunion occurred at the June 1985 multi-artist "All Together Now" concert, resulting in a four song, 12" EP [m1207400].

Founding member Ohtaki died in December 2013. In August 2015 the surviving members performed at the "Kazemachi Legend" event commemorating the 45th anniversary of Matsumoto's songwriting career.