Rock Day (Rokku no Hi)

What Is Rock Day?

June 9th is "Rock Day" in Japan. The date comes from a wordplay in which 6 and 9 can be read as "rokku" (rock). The day was established by Music Network Co., Ltd., publisher of the free music magazine "DiGiRECO," which is distributed at music-related venues, and it was certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association. Rock is expressed not only in music but also in fashion, lifestyles, and ways of thinking, and the day aims to celebrate the great rock music at the root of it all.

A Brief History of Rock Music

Rock has gone far beyond being just a music genre, strongly influencing youth culture and fashion.

• The birth of rock and roll: In the 1950s United States, rhythm and blues, country music, and other styles merged to create rock and roll. Artists such as Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley became hugely popular.
• The British Invasion: In the 1960s, British bands such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones became massive hits in the United States, a phenomenon known as the "British Invasion."
• Ties to society: From the 1960s to the 1970s, rock became linked with youth movements such as the anti-war movement. The 1969 Woodstock Festival drew hundreds of thousands of people and is still remembered as a symbol of the era.

Rock in Japan

In Japan, after the "Group Sounds" boom of the 1960s, many folk and rock bands appeared in the 1970s. There was even a debate over whether the Japanese language could fit rock rhythms, and bands such as Happy End that sang rock in Japanese are said to have influenced later J-pop.

Fun Facts About Rock

• The word "rock": The English word "rock" means to sway or move back and forth, and "rock and roll" came to describe music with a rhythm that makes you move.
• How the electric guitar works: An electric guitar converts string vibrations into electrical signals through its pickups, which are then amplified to produce sound. Deliberately distorting the sound — "distortion" — is one of rock's signature tones.
• Concert volume: Rock concerts can get extremely loud, and some fans and musicians wear earplugs to protect their hearing.
• The "27 Club": The term arose because several famous musicians, such as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, died at age 27. However, some studies have found no statistical evidence that musicians are especially likely to die at 27.
• Another kind of "rock": June 9th is also "Lock Day to Review Your Home Keys," established by the Japan Lock Security Cooperative. Several other "rock"-themed days, such as Rock Ice Day and Rock Wool Day, also fall on the same date.

Ideas for Rock Day

• Listen again to a rock song that holds special memories for you.
• Explore classic albums or live footage and trace the roots of your favorite band.
• Chat with coworkers or friends about the first CD or record you ever bought.
• Check that your door and window locks are secure — a good day to review home security too.

A Day to Listen Again to Music That Moves You

Rock Day on June 9th is a day to enjoy rock music, loved across eras and generations. Whether it's an old favorite or something new, why not enjoy it today at a slightly higher volume than usual?