NOKKO

NOKKO (1998)

NOKKO (のっこ) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter, who rose to fame in the 1980's as the vocalist for the band REBECCA. In the 1990's she became a solo artist and has had a very successful solo career. She began her career under Sony Music Entertainment, but moved over to BMG Japan in the late 1990's. Over the years NOKKO has become a very influential artist, inspiring people such as YUKI and Amuro Namie.

Profile

• Stage name: NOKKO (のっこ)
• Real name: Yamada Nobuko (山田信子)
• Birth date: November 4, 1963
• Birth place: Urawa, Saitama, Japan

Information

NOKKO promoting her US debut (1993)

NOKKO was born as Yamada Nobuko on November 4th 1963. She was born in the Urawa prefecture of Saitama, and there her parents owned a home electronic appliance store.

In the early 1980's NOKKO joined a local band called REBECCA. The band soon became well known and was offered a record deal. REBECCA made their debut in 1984 with the single, "Wearham Boat Club". The band started off as a rock band, with NOKKO just as the vocals. As the band pursued a pop career, they utilized NOKKO's unique voice and range, and became one of the best selling bands in the 1980s.

NOKKO married her former band member, Kogure Takehiko (木暮武彦) in 1990. A year later the band broke up and NOKKO began her solo career. The marriage didn't last too long, and the couple split in 1993.

It was in 1993 when NOKKO embarked on a career in the United States. She released "I WILL CATCH U" as a radio single, and followed her her full length English album, "CALL ME NIGHTLIFE".

In 1999, NOKKO started crediting herself as のっこ, with her name written in Hirigana instead of Romaji.

In 2002, NOKKO married her producer and sound engineer Hotoda Goh. Soon after the marriage the couple started release music as NOKKO & GO. On August 1, 2006 NOKKO gave birth to their first child. The family now splits their time between New York and Japan.

According to NOKKO's official website, she planned on releasing a new full-album in 2007, but the album was never released.

Discography

Albums

• [1992.03.25] Hallelujah
• [1993.04.01] I Will catch U
• [1994.12.08] colored
• [1996.11.21] RHYMING CAFE
• [1998.12.02] Beranda no Kishibe (べランダの岸辺)
• [2000.03.23] Viaje

Other Albums

• [1993.05.20] CALL ME NIGHTLIFE (English album)
• [1997.12.01] THE BEST OF NOKKO (best album)
• [2000.07.19] remixNOKKO (remix album)
• [2006.10.04] NOKKO's Selection (best album)

Singles

• [1992.03.11] CRAZY CLOUDS
• [1992.04.22] Kiseki no Wedding March (奇跡のウエディングマーチ; Promise's Wedding March)
• [1993.06.21] Vivace
• [1994.03.09] Ningyo (人魚; Mermaid)
• [1994.06.22] Live ga Hane Tara (ライブがはねたら)
• [1995.05.21] Antenna / I.No.Chi (アンテナ / イ・ノ・チ)
• [1995.10.21] Parade / Tokage (パレード / トカゲ)
• [1996.08.21] Tenshi no Love Song (天使のラブソング)
• [1996.11.01] Natural
• [1997.02.21] Koi wa Asera zu (恋はあせらず; Impatient Love)
• [1997.11.06] Mizu no Nakano Chiisa na Taiyou (水の中の小さな太陽; Small Sun in the Water)
• [1998.01.28] Haru Yukiusagi (春雪うさぎ; Spring Snow Rabbit)
• [1998.10.03] Wasure na Kusa (わすれな草; Forgetful Grass)
• [1999.05.12] Friends (フレンズ)
• [1999.11.20] Hoshi no Tsuki (昼の月; Star's Moon)
• [2000.02.23] Kiss ga Kikoeru (キスがきこえる; Sound Kiss)

Other Singles

• [1992.xx.xx] I WILL CATCH U (DJ Single)
• [2003.12.17] Jafrosax featuring NOKKO - "Rollin'"

External Links

• Official Website