The Red Birds

Akai Tori (赤い鳥; The Red Birds) was Japanese folk group from 1969 to 1974. Akai Tori formed in April 1969 and got their name from the Suzuki Miekichi's fairy tale Red Birds. Before the year was up, the group won the grand prix for the 3rd Annual Yamaha Light Music Contest, beating another upcoming Japanese folk band OFF COURSE. A couple months later, the group left for London, England after their victory for a while to record their first album FLY WITH THE RED BIRDS that was released on June 1970 on the record label Toshiba Records.