It was announced today that popular rock unit B'z will begin their third North American tour in July, their first in 8 years. B'z 2011 tour will cover three major cities including Vancouver on July 20th, San Francisco on July 22nd, and Los Angeles on July 24th.

In February, B'z guitarist Matsumoto Takahiro (50) won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album. The awards ceremony was held in LA's Staples Center, and B'z has chosen the adjacent Club Nokia as the location for their 'triumphant return' to the States.

The world-traveling duo are also good friends with American band Linkin Park, and even participated in Linkin Park's charity project to help aid Japan after the earthquake and tsunami disaster. B'z is currently thinking of ways to aid Japan through their concerts in North America. "We would like to somehow make it so that Japanese fans can also watch the North American concerts," a staff member reveals, highlighting plans to possibly add another show in the affected areas of Northeastern Japan.

Source + Photo: Sanspo