Arrival, Jun, 1970

An ultra rare recording by the Liverpool band Arrival titled "Jun," and recorded in Japan in 1970. The band had been asked to write and record a song for the Jun Clothing Company, at the time the most popular designer for young fashions in Japan. The band were in Osaka doing Expo '70 and not having a guitar, the main songwriter of Arrival Frank Collins borrowed a guitar from one of the other acts also on the bill, solo singer Alan Merrill (who coincidently was also Jun's top male model at the time), and Collins wrote the song with Merrill's Gibson ES 340 TD and also used it on the recording.
The recording was done quickly after Frank wrote it and the song used in a TV commercial for Jun, and was also released as a single in Japan only.
The band Arrival had already had two chart hit singles in Japan, the UK and Europe titled "Friends" and "I Will Survive", the latter penned by Frank Collins, who also wrote "Jun".
This is a serious rare release, and real treat for Arrival fans. The only recording they made in Japan.
Arrival members:
Frank Collins, Dyan Birch, Tony O'Malley, Paddy McHugh, Carroll Carter, Don Hume and Lloyd Courteney.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• arrival
• jun
• 1970
• frank-collins
• paddy-mchugh
• tony-omalley
• dyan-birch
• don-hume
• lloyd-courteney
• carroll-carter
• expo-70
• osaka

[usafbrat50]

My band performed with them at Expo 70 in Osaka along with some popular Japanese GS bands. They were a lot of fun to be around and had such great voices I kept my mouth closed! On the way to the Expo they sang in the bus, the hotel and walking....great times.

[tsunamisasumi]

@usafbrat50 --

There was also a popular Phillipino band called D'Swooners on the Expo show. Alan Merrill went on to sing and write the original 1975 Arrows version of "I love rock n roll" Arrival became Kokomo, a great band, you should check out the albums. Tony the Arrival keyboard player became the main singer! The Tigers split up and became the Jaanese supergroup PYG.

This was a great show and line up at Expo 70!

[tsunamisasumi]

@tsunamisasumi - If you have photos of Arrival you should sned them to Tony O'Malley their keyboard player. He's on youtube. He will be glad to get a message from you. I was in the audience of Expo '70 but I did not take photos. It's a pity! It's great that you documented this event.

[aleecat75]

An amazing vocal and instrumenatl group. They were unique, and one of the best bands I've ever seen live.

[nastynastynena]

*****Sweet harmonies*****

[usafbrat50]

@tsunamisasumi

Yes! That must be the group. We have some photos of them too backstage. It's been fun remembering this stuff, it was so long ago....Were you at Expo performing too?

[usafbrat50]

@jivingjunkosan

Wow, you're right! I have a video on YouTube of Mother Superior at the Expo. I played guitar and my brother, who played drums there took photos. The other guys in the band were ex-GI's from Tachikawa Air Base. We were signed with the OMC Management Company at the time. Maybe Alan's in one of the photos from backstage along with The Rock Pilots. There was a Filipino band too who put on a great show!

[jivingjunkosan]

@usafbrat50 You must have been with the band Mother Superior, who were on the show at Expo 70. The only other foreigner besides the British band Arrival on the show was the American Alan Merrill, who was backed up by the Japanese band The Rock Pilots. The biggest of the Japanese GS (Group Sounds) were also on the show, The Tigers. Yes, Arrival were a great band, especially live.

[kylesinglefile]

I've never heard this one. Terrific post! Thanks!!

[mecmeanspimp]

Great band, with vocals galore.

[KeithTheKing]

This is a rarity indeed. They sound wonderful.