Eccentric Japanese art-pop combo Pizzicato Five have thrown in the towel after seventeen years in the saddle. The band was formed in 1984 by rabid Monkees enthusiast and college student, Konishi Yasuharu, who believed he was destined to be in a pop band because he was born on the same day that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash. Enlisting the help of a revolving door of vocalists, including former fashion model Maki Nomiya, the Five churned over two dozen cleverly designed albums since their inception.

Konishi and Maki told Japanese reporters that they plan to dissolve their partnership and retire the name of Pizzicato Five following a farewell concert in the Tokyo on March 31st. They plan to release a greatest hits package titled Pizzicato Five R.I.P. Big Hits & Jet Lags in the coming months. JAAN UHELSZKI
(March 27, 2001)