Sakamoto Kyu
The Japanese never had their version of Elvis Presley or the Beatles but they did have an individual named, Sakamoto Kyu. An individual who has accomplished something big that no other Japanese has been able to accomplish. That is a #1 song (four weeks in Cashbox Magazine and three weeks in Billboard magazine) in it's native language in America and also to receive a "Gold Record" for selling one million copies. The song that helped propel Sakamoto was a soung called "Ue o Muite Aruko" (I'll walk with my head up) known to many of you as "Sukiyaki". The song was not understood but it's catchy, upbeat tune was enough for American and fans in other countries to enjoy it. The song has been translated and re-done in many countries in their own language and it would seem this song would never be forgotten. In August 7, 1985, Sakamoto wanted to regroup with his fellow bandmembers and make a comeback. Five days letter, Sakamoto was in a JAL Jumbo bound for Osaka which crashed into a mountain (which was the biggest disaster in Japanese Aviation History).
Resources:
Mark Schilling's "Encyclopedia to Japanese Pop Culture"
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