Rittor Music Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Daisuke Matsumoto), a company handling music-related media under the Impress Group, has released 'Guitar Magazine Rideback Vol. 19' on July 13, 2026.

What is 'Rideback'?

'Rideback' means relaxed or laid-back. It conveys the idea that adult guitarists should stop striving for technical perfection and instead enjoy playing guitar slowly and joyfully.

The 19th issue of a guitar magazine for adults who want to play guitar casually!

This is the 19th volume of 'Guitar Magazine Rideback,' a publication aimed at adults who first picked up the guitar in a bygone era. It focuses on nostalgic guitar heroes everyone once admired, iconic instruments with personal memories, and legendary performances that were too difficult to copy back in the day—re-exploring the charm of guitar from a nostalgic perspective. Whether you're an active middle-aged guitarist or someone who has long stored your guitar away in a closet, won’t you pick it up again with a relaxed mindset and join us? Let’s enjoy our second life with guitar.

Publication Information

Title: Guitar Magazine Rideback Vol. 19

Price: ¥2,420 (¥2,200 + 10% tax)

Release Date: July 13, 2026

Publisher: Rittor Music

Product Page: https://www.rittor-music.co.jp/magazine/detail/3126251001/

CONTENTS

◎ Cover & Opening Interview: We All Grew Up with Guitar

Yoko Shohji (Hinatazaka46)

Yoko Shohji, passionately strumming electric guitar on Hinatazaka46’s stage, appears on the cover and as the opening interview. We talk to the confident 19-year-old about her guitar playing and idol activities.

◎ Special Feature

The World is Obsessed with J-Fusion!

Spurred by the recent revival of City Pop, a Japanese fusion music boom is sweeping the globe. Masayoshi Takanaka has been selling out overseas concerts one after another, with videos of local youth standing and cheering wildly widely shared on social media. Additionally, CASIOPEA has announced a solo live concert in Los Angeles on September 12. This issue takes an in-depth look at the ever-growing fusion scene. We trace its history from the 1970s crossover movement, through the establishment of a uniquely Japanese fusion sound in the 1980s with introductions to legendary guitarists and iconic albums, to its decline from the 1990s onward. We also feature young guitarists worth watching by the Rideback generation: Hidenao Sasaki (Gyoten Rampage, TRIX, etc.), Chizuru Segawa, and Shoya Kitagawa (DEZOLVE). A major special feature including a live report from Masayoshi Takanaka’s latest London concert—don’t miss it!

◎ Rideback Reportage

In Memory of Kazuo Shiina

In February 2026, another legendary guitarist passed away—Kazuo Shiina. The original guitarist of Moonriders, he also performed with Tatsuro Yamashita’s band from the late 1970s through the 1980s and contributed greatly to Japan’s pop music scene as an arranger. Born in Tokyo, he began his career after participating in Minako Yoshida’s live performance, quickly rising to prominence and participating in countless recordings. In later years, he served as chairman of MPN, an organization dedicated to properly managing and protecting the neighboring rights of artists and musicians. Let’s reflect on his 73-year life.

◎ Gentlemen of Japanese Master Builders

Kazuhiko Nyui (PGM)

We spotlight Kazuhiko Nyui, master builder at PGM, a boutique workshop known for its meticulous, handcrafted guitar production.

◎ Rideback Seminar

Adults’ Guide to Mastering Scales

Episode 1: Master the Basic Scales!

The Rideback generation has long enjoyed guitar, encountering various scales along the way. However, many readers know scales but struggle to play compelling phrases. This seminar addresses that issue. Let’s impress with tasteful, context-appropriate phrasing!

◎ Rideback Seminar

Rideback Repairman Dialogue: Hideo Nishimura × Yutaka Takehara × Makoto Fukano

Guitar technicians often get along surprisingly well. Yet, they don’t always share the same values. The author, a skilled repairman, invites fellow professionals to discuss questions they’ve long pondered: Why did you choose this path? What keeps your passion alive? What are your thoughts on future successors and the industry?

◎ Rideback Selection

'BOMBER' Tatsuro Yamashita

Popular Ongoing Series

・The Moment David Gilmour Played a Black Strat

・Vintage Guitar Café: 1965 Fender Stratocaster in Shoreline Gold

・Yocchan’s Guitar Tinkeringism: Yoshio Nomura

・Back Then, I Ate Three Bowls of Rice to Live Albums

・New Music to Listen to After Retirement

・Local Tribute Bands You Can See Today: BLUE LAGOON (Tribute Band for Masayoshi Takanaka)

・A Foreign Music Director’s Hellish Recollections

【Rittor Music Co., Ltd.】https://www.rittor-music.co.jp/

We publish specialized magazines for players and creators, such as 'Guitar Magazine' and 'Sound & Recording Magazine,' as well as instructional books for musical instruments. We also engage in digital publishing, distribution of video and audio content, and other music-related media and content businesses. We operate the multipurpose space 'Ochanomizu RITTOR BASE,' and popular web services including 'DigiMart,' Japan’s largest instrument marketplace, and 'T-OD,' a T-shirt on-demand sales site.

【Impress Group】https://www.impressholdings.com/

The Impress Group, with Impress Holdings, Inc. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Yukio Tsukamoto) as its holding company, is a media group that develops specialized media, services, and solutions centered on key themes such as 'IT & Design,' 'Music,' 'Mountaineering & Nature,' 'Aviation & Railways,' 'Mobile Services,' and 'Academic & Engineering Sciences.' We also develop and operate platforms for content businesses.

【Inquiries】

Public Relations, Rittor Music Co., Ltd.

E-mail: [email protected]

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