# Hideki Ishima on Flower Travellin' Band's political power

> Hideki Ishima explains why he left Flower Travellin' Band after political pressure.
- Title: Hideki Ishima on Flower Travellin' Band's political power
- Summary: Hideki Ishima explains why he left Flower Travellin' Band after political pressure. Hideki Ishima left Flower Travellin' Band in 1973 after political…
- Keywords: hideki ishima, flower travellin band, sitarla, seahawks, nfl, guitar, Hideki, Ishima, Flower, Travellin', Band's, political
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/hideki-ishima-sitarla
- Published: 2026-10-12T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hideki ishima, flower travellin band, sitarla, seahawks, nfl, guitar
## Flower Travellin' Band's missed tour
Flower Travellin' Band was set to open Rolling Stones shows in Japan in 1973 but the tour canceled due to Mick Jagger's drug conviction.
## Ishima's early band days
Hideki Ishima formed Flower Travellin' Band with Joe Yamanaka, Jun Kozuki, and Joji Wada in the 1960s.
## Ishima's musical influences
Ishima was inspired by The Beatles, The Yardbirds, The Zombies, and The Kinks during his early playing days.
## Ishima's frustration with covers
Ishima wanted Flower Travellin' Band to have their own identity, not copy others' music.
## Satori album and political pressure
Ishima told band members and record companies it was crazy to include Blue Suede Shoes but no-one agreed.
## Ishima left Flower Travellin' Band
Ishima gave in to political power and left Flower Travellin' Band in 1973 after pressure from record companies.
## Sitarla instrument creation
Ishima created sitarla by combining sitar with electric guitar techniques to make it sound like singing.
## Key takeaway

Hideki Ishima left Flower Travellin' Band in 1973 after political pressure from record companies and band members.