Rockabilly Cool: Strangers Dance in Black and White
In December 2019, I went to see the Strangers at Yoyogi Park after a break of nearly two years. They were still the same, very cool. Every Sunday afternoon, they pull out all the stops to keep the fifties alive.
When the music started, the action started. The dancers pulled out their combs and slicked back their hair. Then they did their air guitar routines and danced away the afternoon to the tunes of rock and roll’s golden age. Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis would be right at home.
It was a good day, except for the intermittent light rain. Another group was there too, Fairlady. It was my first time to see these guys in black leather, big pompadours and ducktails. They proved that Tokyo rockabilly is alive and well
It is interesting looking at these people. Most of them are middle-aged, with a few of the younger generations thrown in. Every time I go, I see the same faces. But they must be huge fans of the music and the lifestyle. I couldn’t imagine a Sunday afternoon at Yoyogi Park without them.
I’m still waiting to get a good photo of these people. But there is always some distraction in the background. That can’t be helped, as the Park is popular and many people walk through. It’s just a case of repeatedly going until it happens. Maybe I should also have more patience waiting for them to pass by.
If you are ever in Harajuku on a Sunday afternoon, drop by Yoyogi Park and see the Strangers. They show that cool never goes out of style. Make sure to pack a comb and hair cream.
There are more articles about them on this website. Use the links below to find them. If you have any questions or comments, leave them below.
Strangers Photos photo gear:
- Camera body: Fujifilm X-T2
- Lenses: Fujifilm XF 55-200 mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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External related websites
- Strangers on Instagram