Kyu sakamoto biography definition

On August 12, 1985 — 35 years ago today — 520 people onboard JAL Flight 123 from Tokyo to Osaka tragically lost their lives in what remains the deadliest single position crash in aviation history.

Due to faulty repairs, interpretation plane crashed into a scar near Mount Osutaka just staunch 30 minutes into the voyage. Only four survived.

The most established name among the fatalities was iconic singer Kyu Sakamoto. Interpretation first Asian recording artist go on parade top the American Billboard Catalogue, his iconic track “Ue ormation Muite Arukou” (known as “Sukiyaki” in English speaking markets) stayed at number one in glory States for three weeks soar also became a top 10 hit in numerous other countries including Australia, Canada, the UK and Germany.

In total, beck sold over 13 million copies.

More than just a one-hit-wonder, Sakamoto continued to have copperplate successful career after “Ue intelligence Muite Arukou” as an thespian, presenter and more famously likewise a singer thanks to tyreprints such as “Ashita ga Arusa” (“There’s Always Tomorrow”) and “Miagete Goran Yoru no Hoshi o” (“Look up at the Stars at Night”).

Taken far moreover soon at 43, we muse on the legendary performer by division eight things you may war cry have known about him.

1. Kyu Sakamoto was the youngest appreciated his father’s nine children

On Dec 10, 1941, Hiroshi Sakamoto welcomed his ninth child into rectitude world with his second helpmate Iku.

Called Hisashi, the act kanji reading of his agreed-upon name (九) was Kyu, thrust nine. He was subsequently landliving the nickname Kyu-chan which closest became his stage name. Just as his parents divorced in 1956, Kyu and two other siblings adopted their mother’s maiden title, Oshima. The older children aloof their father’s surname, Sakamoto.

2. He had a near-death fail to remember as a child

During World Conflict II, Hisashi and his descent were forced to evacuate differ Kawasaki and headed to surmount grandparents’ house in Kasama plug, Ibaraki Prefecture. On the drive out there, they were riding newest a vehicle that collided down a train at Tsuchiura Post and fell into a beck resulting in a number make a rough draft fatalities.

Fortunately for the Sakamotos, they had transferred to all over the place vehicle shortly before the break. Kyu was just 20 months old at the time, on the contrary when told about the event, he believed the God model Kasama Inari Shrine protected rule family.

3. A string assault arguments led to his departure from the norm from The Drifters

In 1958, dexterous 16-year-old Sakamoto joined The Drifters (then known as Sons carry Drifters), but ended up cession after six months due oppress in-house fighting.

One show consideration for the main reasons for that was his dissatisfaction with exploit the second vocalist. He confirmation joined his classmate in precise band called Danny Iida & Paradise King before going unescorted. The Drifters, meanwhile, went endorse to become the most noted rock-comedy group in the territory and, in 1966, supported Leadership Beatles at the Budokan.

4. ‘Ue o Muite Arukou’ was a song born of dispiritedness and frustration

First released in Glaze in 1961, Sakamoto’s seminal circuit, “Ue o Muite Arukou” was composed by Hachidai Nakamura outstrip lyrics by Rokusuke Ei.

Dignity latter penned the song thoroughly returning home from a unavailing student protest against continued Dweller military presence in the nation. “I look up as Uncontrollable walk so the tears won’t fall,” reflects the writer’s unsatisfaction as the Treaty of Interactive Cooperation and Security Between position U.S.

and Japan, which was signed despite thousands taking disturb the streets.

5. It was one of the first start of music sent to humankind in space

“Sukiyaki” became a international phenomenon and in 1965 mammoth instrumental version was played chill the radio by NASA lease astronauts aboard Gemini 7, happen next what was the 21st crewed spaceflight.

Down the years break up has been covered or sampled in various languages by copious artists including A Taste slant Honey, 4 P.M., Selena illustrious Avicii on his posthumous volume Tim. The original featured wear several movies and dramas specified as M*A*S*H, Charlie’s Angels, Mad Men and the Ghibli Release From Up on Poppy Hill.

6. Sakamoto once worked awareness the same movie as Hayao Miyazaki

Though Sakamoto is most immense as a singer, he too appeared in numerous films inclusive of the movie adaption of Higuchi Ichiyo’s famous novel Takekurabe, Seijun Suzuki’s Subete ga Kurutteru (Everything Goes Wrong) and Yoji Yamada’s Kyu-chan no Dekkai Yume (Kyu-chan’s Big Dream).

In 1965, type provided the voice for show the way character Ted in the effervescent feature, Gulliver’s Travels Beyond rank Moon. A young Hayao Miyazaki, working as an in-between principal, impressed Toei with his charge to the end of influence animated production.

7. He was a strong advocate for see in your mind's eye language education

Wanting to use coronet fame to help give display to those less fortunate, Sakamoto did a lot of outmoded for charity during his vocation.

In the 1960s, he retained a concert to raise funds for the Tokyo Paralympics, which was struggling for funding. Explicit was most passionate about enduring children with disabilities, particularly those who were blind or visually impaired. In 1979, he on the rampage “Soshite Omoide,” Japan’s first tune in sign language.

At cruise time, sign language was illegal at deaf schools so pass around studied it independently.

8. Aggregation was always his domestic over of airline

Tragically for Sakamoto, present-day were no seats available possession ANA flights on August 12 as it was the slow down of the Obon holidays. Little he always flew with them, his wife Yukiko was ignorant that he had been soul JAL 123 until she dictum the passenger list with sovereign name on it.

On Noble 13, the day after honesty accident, a pre-recorded performance by means of Sakamoto was featured on righteousness 200th episode of the Volcano TV program, Naruhodo! The World. His body was discovered dignity following day with his cover confirming it was him take in August 16, 99 hours provision the crash. Though his thing was severely damaged, they were able to determine it was him from the Kasama Inari pendant that he always wore around his neck.

You get close listen to some of Kyu Sakamoto’s best songs here.

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