The Drifters

are a Japanese rock and roll band and comedy group. The band formed as Sons of Drifters around 1956 with members of two bands, Mountain Boys and Tokyo Western Boys. However, members in the group changed back and forth occasionally. Chosuke Ikariya became the group's leader in 1964. Although the band became famous as a comedy group under Ikariya, they took part in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen as a musical band for the first time in 2001. Ikariya died of lymph node cancer in 2004 at the age of 72. The group is also known for its 40-second performance as an opening act for The Beatles' first-ever concert in Japan. Members Chōsuke Ikariya — Leader, joined 1962 during the group's band era, died of lymph node cancer in 2004 Cha Katō — Joined 1962 Boo Takagi — Joined 1964 Chū Arai — Joined 1964, left the group in 1974, died of liver failure in 2000 Kōji Nakamoto — Joined 1965, died of acute subdural hematoma after suffering serious head injury from traffic collision in 2022 Ken Shimura — Joined as an assistant member in 1968, became an official member 1974 (replacing Arai), he died from COVID-19 in 2020 Shinji Suwa — Joined as an assistant member in 1972, never an official member