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Difference between revisions of "Yamaguchi Momoe"

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'''Yamaguchi Momoe''' (山口 百恵 or やまぐち.ももえ) is a [[J-Pop|Japanese pop]] [[singer|singer]], [[actress|actress]] and [[idol]] whose career lasted from 1972 to 1980. She was born in [[Shibuya, Tokyo|Shibuya]], [[Tokyo]] on January 17, 1959. She is one of the most popular and notable singers in J-pop history with several songs which are frequently covered to this day.
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[[Image:Yamaguchimomoe_1972.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Yamaguchi Momoe (1972)]]
  
She secured her legacy by bowing out of the entertainment business at the peak of her career to marry her frequent costar, fellow actor [[Tomokazu Miura|Tomokazu Miura]] (三浦友和).
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<div align="justify">
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'''Yamaguchi Momoe''' (山口百恵) is a former Japanese [[Kayokyoku|kayokyoku]] singer, [[:Category:J-Actress|actress]] and [[Idol|idol]] whose career lasted from 1972 to 1980. She is one of the most notable singers in Japanese music history with several songs that are frequently covered to this day. She is also notable as an actress in the ''[[Akai Series|Akai]]'' [[Dorama|drama]] series. Yamaguchi secured her legacy by bowing out of the entertainment business at the peak of her career to marry her frequent costar, fellow actor [[Miura Tomokazu]]. Even to this day, almost 30 years after her retirement, she still commands public interest with constant inquiries about her coming back.
  
Even to this day, 25 years after her retirement, Momoe still commands public interest. Recent pictures frequent tabloids, and there are constant inquries about her coming back.
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==Profile==
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* '''Maiden Name:''' Yamaguchi Momoe (山口百恵)
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* '''Married Name:''' Miura Momoe (三浦百惠)
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* '''Birthday:''' January 17, 1959
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* '''Birthplace:''' [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
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* '''[[Blood Type]]:''' A
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* '''Family:''' Husband [[Miura Tomokazu]] (actor), son [[Miura Yutaro|Yu]] ([[Peaky SALT]] vocalist/guitarist), son [[Miura Takahiro]] (actor)
  
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==Information==
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Yamaguchi was born in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]] in 1959. Around the time she was born, she was left in the care of her maternal grandparents, of which she has said she has many fond memories. Around 4-years-old, she was returned to her parents and the family then moved to [[Yokohama]]. At an early age, her father left her mother as a single parent to her two daughters, Yamaguchi and her little sister Toshie. The family moved once again to [[Yokosuka]], where they would stay until Yamaguchi rose to stardom. It is the place she considers home, shown in one of her most popular album tracks, "[[I Came from Yokosuka|I CAME FROM Yokosuka]]", from her 11th album, ''[[Momoe Hakusho]]''.
  
==<span class="mw-headline"> Biography </span>==
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Yamaguchi appeared on the idol talent search television show ''[[Star Tanjou]]'' at the age of 13. She sung the children's song "[[Kaiten Mokuba]]". Though she only came in second place, she still received several deals, and chose a record contract releasing under [[Sony Music Entertainment|CBS/Sony]].
  
Momoe was born in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]] in [[1959|1959]]. Near the time she was born she was left in the care of her maternal grandparents, of which she has said she has many fond memories. Around 4 years old she was returned to her parents and the family then moved to [[Yokohama|Yokohama]]. At an early age her father left her mother as a single parent to her two daugthers, Momoe and her little sister Toshie. The family moved once again to [[Yokosuka|Yokosuka]], where they would stay until Momoe rose to stardom. It is the place she considers home, shown in one of her most popular album tracks "I CAME FROM Yokosuka" (I CAME FROM 横須賀) from her 11th album "Momoe Hakusho" (百恵白書).
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Her first single titled "[[Toshigoro (Yamaguchi Momoe)|Toshigoro]]", coupled with her first movie of the same name, did not fare very well, peaking at a low #37 on the [[Oricon]] weekly chart. It wasn't until her second single, "[[Aoi Kajitsu]]", that she really became popular. That single broke the top 10 and peaked at number 9. Yamaguchi fans and Japanese pop culture historians alike have accredited the suggestive lyrics of the song to its success. A rough summary of the chorus goes, "You can do what ever you want with me, it's okay if rumors spread that I'm a bad girl", all of this coming from a 13-year-old Yamaguchi. This trend carried on in her career for quite a while. One of her biggest hits, and most memorable songs to this day is her fifth single, "[[Hito Natsu no Keiken]]", which includes lyrics like "I'll give you the most precious thing a girl has" and "Everyone does it at least once, the entrapment of temptation".
  
Momoe appeared on the idol talent search television show "Star Tanjou" (スター誕生) at the age of 13. She sung the children's song "Kaiten Mokuba" (回転木馬). Though she only came in second place, she still received several deals, and chose a record contract releasing under CBS/Sony.
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As time went on, Yamaguchi gained more and more control over her career and strayed away from the songs with suggestive lyrics and went for songs more about a woman being strong and ready to support herself. These changes produced some of her most popular and memorable hits, such as "[[Cosmos (Yamaguhi Momoe)|Cosmos]]", "[[Ii Hi Tabidachi]]", and "[[Sayonara no Mukougawa]]", all of which are all covered frequently to this day. The most popular single she ever released was "[[Yokosuka Story (single)|Yokosuka Story]]" in 1976, which sold over 600,000 copies and peaked at number one on the charts.
  
Her first single titled "Toshigoro" (としごろ), coupled with her first movie of the same name, did not fare very well in the charts, peaking at a low 37 on the oricon. It wasn't until her second single "Aoi Kajitsu" (青い果実) that she really became popular. That single broke the top 10 and peaked at number 9. Momoe fans and Japanese pop culture historians alike have acredited the sugestive lyrics of the song to its sucess. A rough summary of the chorus goes "You can do what ever you want with me, it's ok if rumors spread that I'm a bad girl". All of this coming from a 13 year old Momoe. This trend carried on in her carrer for quite a while. One of her biggest hits, and most memorable soungs to this day is her 5th single "Hito natsu no Keiken" (ひと夏の経験), which includes lyrics like "I'll give you the most precious thing a girl has" and "Everyone does it at least once, The entrapment of temptation".
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With an ever-growing popularity in the music industry, she had the same result in film. Her second film, ''[[Izu no Odoriko]]'', based on the novel by [[Wikipedia:Yasunari Kawabata|Kawabata Yasunari]], introduced her to [[Miura Tomokazu]]. Though Yamaguchi at the time was just 14, and Miura 22, they hit it off and had great screen chemistry. They starred in a total of 14 of her 17 movies together, one every winter and summer.
  
As time went on, Momoe gained more and more control over her carrer and strayed away from the songs with suggestive lyrics and went for songs more about a woman being strong and ready to support herself. These changes produced some of her most popular and memorable hits. Such as "Kosumosu" (秋桜), "Ii Hi Tabidachi" (いい日旅立ち), and "Sayonara no Mukou Gawa" (さよならの向う側) all of which are all covered frequently to this day. The most popular single she ever released was "Yokosuka STORY" (横須賀ストーリー) in [[1976|1976]], which sold 600,000+ copies and peaked at number one on the charts.
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Near the end of her career, Yamaguchi became very sophisticated in her music. Much like [[Wikipedia:The Beatles|The Beatles]]' career in that they started out without much artistic experimentation and ending with influential musical production, Yamaguchi's later career possesses many changes which are not typical of pop idols. Because she wanted to make a rock song before she ended her career, "[[Rock 'n' Roll Widow]]" was brought out. It was a popular single, which was included on the concept album ''[[Moebius's Game]]''. Her 21st album, ''[[Phoenix Densetsu]]'', was in fact written as a rock opera. Her 12th and 18th albums, ''[[Golden Flight|GOLDEN FLIGHT]]'' and ''[[L.A. Blue]]'', which were both recorded overseas ([[Wikipedia:London|London]] and [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles|Los Angeles]] respectively) include heavy influences of music of the country it was recorded in. The overall sound of her later songs and albums have a much more mature and complex sound than her early songs.
  
With ever growning popularity in the music industry, she had the same result in film. Her second film, "Izu no Odoriko" (伊豆の踊子) based off of the [[Yasunari Kawabata|Yasunari Kawabata]] novel, introduced her to Tomokazu Miura. Though Momoe at the time was just 14, and Tomokazu was 22, they hit it off and had great screen chemistry. They starred in a total of 14 of her 17 movies together, one every winter and summer.
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With constant on-screen romance between Yamaguchi and Miura, an off-screen romance grew. During a trip to [[Wikipedia:Hawaii|Hawaii]] in early 1979, Miura proposed to Yamaguchi. She accepted, and she also said that she would retire from the entertainment industry to do so. Yamaguchi officially announced their relationship at a concert in October 1979, and the official announcement about their marriage date and her retirement was made in March 1980. Only eight months after the announcement, she had her farewell concert at [[Nippon Budokan]] on October 5, 1980, released her last album, ''[[This Is My Trial|This is my trial]]'', on October 21, 1980, and released her last single, "[[Ichi E]]", on November 19, 1980.
  
Near the end of her carrer Momoe became very sophisticated in her music. Much like the [[Beatles|Beatles]]'s carrer in that they started out without much artistic experimentation and ending with influential musical production, Momoe's later carrer posseses many changes which are not typical of pop idols. Because she wanted to make a Rock song before she ended her career, "Rock 'n Roll Widow" was brought out. A popular single, which was included on the [[concept album|concept album]] Moebius's Game (メビウス・ゲーム). Her 21st album "Phoenix Densetsu" (不死鳥伝説) was infact written as a rock opera. Her 12th and 18th albums, "GOLDEN FLIGHT" and "L.A. Blue", which were both recorded overseas (London and Los Angeles respectively) include heavy influences of music of the country it was recorded in. And just the overall sound of her later songs and albums have a much more mature and complex sound than her early songs.
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On October 15, 1980, Yamaguchi officially retired from show business, and on November 19, 1980, Yamaguchi and Miura were married. Though rumors have been circulating since her retirement that she would come back, she has kept to being a housewife and a mother to two sons. Her eldest son, [[Miura Yutaro]], is currently the vocalist and guitarist of the band [[Peaky SALT]] (under the name ''Yu''), and her second son, [[Miura Takahiro]], is an actor.
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</div>
  
With constant on screen romance between Momoe and Tomokazu Miura, an off screen romance grew. During a trip to Hawaii in early 1979, Tomokazu proposed to Momoe. She accepted, and she also said that she would retire from the entertainment industry to do so. Momoe officially announced their relationship at a concert in October of [[1979|1979]], and the official announcement about their marriage date and her retirement was made in March of [[1980|1980]]. And after only 8 months after the announcement, she had her farewell concert at the famous [[Nippon Budokan|Nippon Budokan]] on [[October 5th|October 5th]] [[1980|1980]], released her last album "This is my trial" on [[October 21st|October 21st]] [[1980|1980]], and released her last single "Ichi E" (一恵) on [[November 19th|November 19th]] [[1980|1980]].
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==Discography==
 
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===Albums===
On [[October 15th|October 15th]] [[1980|1980]], Momoe offically retired from show business, and on [[November 19th|November 19th]] [[1980|1980]], Momoe and Tomokazu were married. And though rumors have been circulating since her retirement that she would come back, she has kept to being a housewife and mother to 2 sons ever since her retirement.
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* [1973.08.21] [[Yamaguchi Momoe First Album Toshigoro]] (山口百恵ファーストアルバム としごろ)
 
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* [1973.12.21] [[Yamaguchi Momoe Second Album Aoi Kajitsu / Kinjirareta Asobi]] (山口百恵セカンドアルバム 青い果実 / 禁じられた遊び)
==<span class="mw-headline"> Discography </span>==
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* [1974.04.21] [[15sai no Theme Momoe no Kisetsu]] (15才のテーマ 百恵の季節)
 
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* [1974.08.01] [[15sai no Theme Hito Natsu no Keiken]] (15才のテーマ ひと夏の経験)
<div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width: 282px">[[Image:Yamaguchi Momoe1974.JPG|[[Image:280px-Yamaguchi_Momoe1974.JPG|280px|Yamaguchi Momoe (1974)]]]]<div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify" style="float: right">[[Image:Yamaguchi Momoe1974.JPG|[[Image:magnify-clip.png]]]]</div>Yamaguchi Momoe (1974)</div></div></div>
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* [1974.12.10] [[15sai]] (15才)
 
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* [1975.05.01] [[16sai no Theme]] (16才のテーマ)
===<span class="mw-headline"> Albums </span>===
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* [1975.12.05] [[Sasayaka na Yokubou]] (ささやかな欲望)
 
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* [1976.04.21] [[17sai no Theme]] (17才のテーマ)
* [1973.08.21] [[Yamaguchi Momoe First Album Toshigoro|Yamaguchi Momoe First Album Toshigoro]] (山口百恵ファーストアルバム としごろ)
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* [1976.08.01] [[Yokosuka Story (album)|Yokosuka Story]] (横須賀ストーリー)
* [1973.12.21] [[Yamaguchi Momoe Second Album Aoi Kajitsu / Kinji Rareta Asobi|Yamaguchi Momoe Second Album Aoi Kajitsu / Kinji Rareta Asobi]] (山口百恵セカンドアルバム 青い果実/禁じられた遊び)
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* [1976.12.05] [[Pearl-Color ni Yurete (album)|Pearl-Color ni Yurete]] (パールカラーにゆれて)
* [1974.04.21] [[15sai no Theme Momoe no Kisetsu|15sai no Theme Momoe no Kisetsu]] (15才のテーマ 百恵の季節)
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* [1977.05.21] [[Momoe Hakusho]] (百恵白書)
* [1974.08.01] [[15sai no Theme Hito Natsu no Keiken|15sai no Theme Hito Natsu no Keiken]] (15才のテーマ ひと夏の経験)
 
* [1974.12.10] [[15sai|15sai]] (15才)
 
* [1975.05.01] [[16sai no Theme|16sai no Theme]] (16才のテーマ)
 
* [1975.12.05] [[Sasayaka na Yokubou|Sasayaka na Yokubou]] (ささやかな欲望)
 
* [1976.04.21] [[17sai no Theme|17sai no Theme]] (17才のテーマ)
 
* [1976.08.01] [[Yokosuka Story|Yokosuka Story]] (横須賀ストーリー)
 
* [1976.12.05] [[Pearl-Color ni Yurete|Pearl-Color ni Yurete]] (パールカラーにゆれて)
 
* [1977.05.21] [[Momoe Hakusho|Momoe Hakusho]] (百恵白書)
 
 
* [1977.08.21] [[Golden Flight|GOLDEN FLIGHT]]
 
* [1977.08.21] [[Golden Flight|GOLDEN FLIGHT]]
* [1977.12.05] [[Hana Zakari|Hana Zakari]] (花ざかり)
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* [1977.12.05] [[Hanazakari]] (花ざかり)
* [1978.05.01] [[Cosmos / Uchu|COSMOS / Uchu]] (COSMOS/宇宙)
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* [1978.05.01] [[Cosmos (Uchuu)|COSMOS (Uchuu)]] (COSMOS (宇宙))
 
* [1978.09.01] [[Dramatic (Yamaguchi Momoe)|Dramatic]] (ドラマチック)
 
* [1978.09.01] [[Dramatic (Yamaguchi Momoe)|Dramatic]] (ドラマチック)
* [1978.12.21] [[Hatachi no Kinenbei Manjushaka|Hatachi no Kinenbei Manjushaka]] (二十歳の記念碑 曼珠沙華)
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* [1978.12.21] [[Hatachi no Kinenbei Manjushaka]] (二十歳の記念碑 曼珠沙華)
* [1979.04.01] [[A Face In The Vision|A FACE IN THE VISION]]
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* [1979.04.01] [[A Face a the Vision]]
* [1979.08.01] [[L. A. Blue|L. A. Blue]]
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* [1979.08.01] [[L.A. Blue]]
* [1980.02.01] [[Haru Tsuge Dori|Haru Tsuge Dori]] (春告鳥)
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* [1980.02.01] [[Haru Tsugedori]] (春告鳥)
* [1980.05.21] [[Mobius's Game|Mobius's Game]] (メビウス・ゲーム)
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* [1980.05.21] [[Mobius's Game]] (メビウス・ゲーム)
* [1980.08.21] [[Phoenix Densetsu|Phoenix Densetsu]] (不死鳥伝説)
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* [1980.08.21] [[Phoenix Densetsu]] (不死鳥伝説)
* [1980.10.21] [[This is My Trial|This is My Trial]]
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* [1980.10.21] [[This Is My Trial|This is My Trial]]
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline"> Singles </span>===
 
  
* [1973.05.21] [[Toshigoro|Toshigoro]] (としごろ)
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===Singles===
* [1973.09.01] [[Aoi Kajitsu]] (青い果実 )
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* [1973.05.21] [[Toshigoro (Yamaguchi Momoe)|Toshigoro]] (としごろ)
* [1973.11.21] [[Kinji Rareta Asobi|Kinji Rareta Asobi]] (禁じられた遊び)
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* [1973.09.01] [[Aoi Kajitsu]] (青い果実)
* [1974.03.01] [[Haru Kaze no Itazura|Haru Kaze no Itazura]] (春風のいたずら)
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* [1973.11.21] [[Kinjirareta Asobi (Yamaguchi Momoe)|Kinjirareta Asobi]] (禁じられた遊び)
* [1974.06.01] [[Hito Natsu no Keiken|Hito Natsu no Keiken]] (ひと夏の経験)
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* [1974.03.01] [[Haru Kaze no Itazura]] (春風のいたずら)
* [1974.09.01] [[Chippoke na Kansho|Chippoke na Kansho]] (ちっぽけな感傷)
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* [1974.06.01] [[Hito Natsu no Keiken]] (ひと夏の経験)
* [1974.12.10] [[Fuyu no Iro|Fuyu no Iro]] (冬の色)
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* [1974.09.01] [[Chippoke na Kanshou]] (ちっぽけな感傷)
* [1975.03.21] [[Mizuumi no Kesshin|Mizuumi no Kesshin]] (湖の決心)
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* [1974.12.10] [[Fuyu no Iro]] (冬の色)
* [1975.06.10] [[Natsu Hiraku Seishun|Natsu Hiraku Seishun]] (夏ひらく青春)
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* [1975.03.21] [[Mizuumi no Kesshin]] (湖の決心)
* [1975.09.21] [[Sasayaka na Yokubo|Sasayaka na Yokubo]] (ささやかな欲望)
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* [1975.06.10] [[Natsu Hiraku Seishun]] (夏ひらく青春)
* [1975.12.21] [[Shiroi Yakusoku|Shiroi Yakusoku]] (白い約束)
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* [1975.09.21] [[Sasayaka na Yokubou]] (ささやかな欲望)
* [1976.03.21] [[Ai ni Hashi tte|Ai ni Hashi tte]] (愛に走って)
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* [1975.12.21] [[Shiroi Yakusoku]] (白い約束)
* [1976.06.21] [[Yokosuka Story|Yokosuka Story]] (横須賀ストーリー)
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* [1976.03.21] [[Ai ni Hashitte]] (愛に走って)
* [1976.09.21] [[Pearl Colour ni Yurete|Pearl Colour ni Yurete]] (パールカラーにゆれて)
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* [1976.06.21] [[Yokosuka Story (single)|Yokosuka Story]] (横須賀ストーリー)
* [1976.11.21] [[Akai Shougeki|Akai Shougeki]] (赤い衝撃)
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* [1976.09.21] [[Pearl-Color ni Yurete (single)|Pearl-Color ni Yurete]] (パールカラーにゆれて)
* [1977.01.21] [[Hatsukoi Zoushi|Hatsukoi Zoushi]] (初恋草紙)
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* [1976.11.21] [[Akai Shougeki]] (赤い衝撃)
* [1977.04.01] [[Yume Saki Annai Nin|Yume Saki Annai Nin]] (夢先案内人)
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* [1977.01.21] [[Hatsukoi Soushi]] (初恋草紙)
 +
* [1977.04.01] [[Yume Saki Annai Nin]] (夢先案内人)
 
* [1977.07.01] [[Imitation Gold]] (イミテイション・ゴールド)
 
* [1977.07.01] [[Imitation Gold]] (イミテイション・ゴールド)
* [1977.10.01] [[Cosmos (Yamaguchi Momoe single)|Cosmos]] (秋桜)
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* [1977.10.01] [[Cosmos (Yamaguchi Momoe)|Cosmos]] (秋桜)
* [1977.12.21] [[Akai Kizuna (Red Sensation)|Akai Kizuna (Red Sensation)]] (赤い絆 (レッド・センセーション))
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* [1977.12.21] [[Akai Kizuna (Red Sensation)]] (赤い絆 (レッド・センセーション))
* [1978.02.01] [[Otome za Kyu|Otome za Kyu]] (乙女座宮)
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* [1978.02.01] [[Otomeza Kyuu]] (乙女座 宮)
* [1978.05.01] [[Playback Part 2|Playback part 2]] (プレイバックpart 2)
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* [1978.05.01] [[Playback Part 2]] (プレイバックPart2)
* [1978.08.21] [[Zettai Zetsumei|Zettai Zetsumei]] (絶体絶命)
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* [1978.08.21] [[Zettai Zetsumei]] (絶体絶命)
* [1978.11.21] [[Ii Hi Tabidachi|Ii Hi Tabidachi]] (いい日旅立ち)
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* [1978.11.21] [[Ii Hi Tabidachi]] (いい日旅立ち)
* [1979.03.01] [[Bi Silent|Bi Silent]] (美・サイレント)
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* [1979.03.01] [[Bi Silent]] (美・サイレント)
* [1979.06.01] [[Ai no Arashi]] (愛の嵐)
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* [1979.06.01] [[Ai no Arashi (Yamaguchi Momoe)|Ai no Arashi]] (愛の嵐)
* [1979.09.01] [[Shinayaka ni Utatte (-80Nendai ni Mukatte-)|Shinayaka ni Utatte (-80Nendai ni Mukatte-)]] (しなやかに歌って(-80年代に向って-))
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* [1979.09.01] [[Shinayaka ni Utatte (-80 Nendai ni Mukatte-)]] (しなやかに歌って(-80年代に向って-))
* [1979.12.21] [[Ai Zen Bashi|Ai Zen Bashi]] (愛染橋)
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* [1979.12.21] [[Aizenbashi]] (愛染橋)
* [1980.03.21] [[Sha Niku Sai|Sha Niku Sai]] (謝肉祭 )
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* [1980.03.21] [[Shanikusai]] (謝肉祭)
* [1980.05.21] [[Rock n' Roll Widow|Rock n' Roll Widow]] (ロックンロール・ウィドウ)
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* [1980.05.21] [[Rock 'n' Roll Widow]] (ロックンロール・ウィドウ)
* [1980.08.21] [[Sayonara no Mukou Gawa|Sayonara no Mukou Gawa]] (さよならの向う側)
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* [1980.08.21] [[Sayonara no Mukougawa]] (さよならの向う側)
* [1980.11.19] [[Ichi E|Ichi E]] (一恵)
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* [1980.11.19] [[Ichi E]] (一恵)
 
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* [1994.04.21] [[Sekishundoori]] (惜春通り)
==<span class="mw-headline">Screen appearances</span>==
 
 
 
<div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width: 282px">[[Image:Yamaguchi Momoe Eden no Umi film.JPG|[[Image:280px-Yamaguchi_Momoe_Eden_no_Umi_film.JPG|280px|Yamaguchi Momoe (Eden no Umi film)]]]]<div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify" style="float: right">[[Image:Yamaguchi Momoe Eden no Umi film.JPG|[[Image:magnify-clip.png]]]]</div>Yamaguchi Momoe (Eden no Umi film)</div></div></div>
 
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline">Films</span>===
 
 
 
* [1973.04.14] Toshigoro (としごろ)
 
* [1974.12.28] Izu no Odoriko (伊豆の踊子)
 
* [1975.04.26] Shiosai (潮騒)
 
* [1975.04.26] Onechan Ote Yawaraka ni (お姐ちゃんお手やわらかに)
 
* [1975.08.09] Hana no Kou no Trio Hatsukoi Jidai (花の高2トリオ 初恋時代)
 
* [1975.12.20] Zetsu Ko (絶唱)
 
* [1976.04.24] Eden no Umi (エデンの海)
 
* [1976.07.31] Kaze tachinu (風立ちぬ)
 
* [1976.12.25] Shun Kin Sho (春琴抄)
 
* [1977.07.30] Doro darake no Junjou (泥だらけの純情)
 
* [1977.11.26] Masako, Junko, Momoe - Namida no Sotsugyo Shini Shupatsu (昌子・淳子・百恵 - 涙の卒業式 出発)
 
* [1977.12.17] Kiri no Hata (霧の旗)
 
* [1978.07.22] Furimukeba Ai (ふりむけば愛)
 
* [1978.11.23] Honou no Mai (炎の舞)
 
* [1979.08.04] WHITE LOVE (ホワイト・ラブ)
 
* [1979.12.22] Tenshi o Yuwaku (天使を誘惑)
 
* [1980.12.06] Koto (古都)
 
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline"> Doramas </span>===
 
 
 
* [1973.10.09] Kao de Waratte (顔で笑って)
 
* [1974.07.08] Genka TV Shousetsu "Akari no Urumu Koro" (銀河テレビ小説 「灯のうるむ頃」)
 
* [1974.10.04] Akai Meiro (赤い迷路)
 
* [1975.10.03] Akai Giwaku (赤い疑惑)
 
* [1976.04.23] Akai Unmei (赤い運命)
 
* [1976.11.05] Akai Shougeki (赤い衝撃)
 
* [1977.12.02] Akai Kizuna (赤い絆)
 
* [1978.11.21] Hito wa Sore wo Scandal to Iu (人はそれをスキャンダルという)
 
* [1980.11.07] Yamaguchi Momoe Intai Kinen Special Drama "Akai Shisen" (山口百恵引退記念スペシャルドラマ「赤い死線」)
 
 
 
==<span class="mw-headline">External links</span>==
 
 
 
* [http://sonymusic.co.jp/momoe/ Sony Music Japan | Momoe Yamaguchi]
 
* [http://nippop.com/artist/artist_id-212/ Nippop Profile | Momoe Yamaguchi]
 
* [http://www.geocities.com/jpopakina/momoe/ JPop Queens fan page]
 
* [http://www.momoeworld.com/ Momoe World] (in Japanese)
 
 
 
  
 +
==Filmography==
 +
===Films===
 +
* [1973.04.14] [[Toshigoro (film)|Toshigoro]] (としごろ)
 +
* [1974.12.28] [[Izu no Odoriko]] (伊豆の踊子)
 +
* [1975.04.26] [[Shiosai (film)|Shiosai]] (潮騒)
 +
* [1975.04.26] [[Onechan Ote Yawaraka ni]] (お姐ちゃんお手やわらかに)
 +
* [1975.08.09] [[Hana no Kou 2 Trio Hatsukoi Jidai]] (花の高2トリオ 初恋時代)
 +
* [1975.12.20] [[Zesshou]] (絶唱)
 +
* [1976.04.24] [[Eden no Umi]] (エデンの海)
 +
* [1976.07.31] [[Kaze Tachinu (film)|Kaze Tachinu]] (風立ちぬ)
 +
* [1976.12.25] [[Shunkinshou]] (春琴抄)
 +
* [1977.07.30] [[Doro Darake no Junjou]] (泥だらけの純情)
 +
* [1977.11.26] [[Masako, Junko, Momoe - Namida no Sotsugyou Shiki Shuppatsu]] (昌子・淳子・百恵 - 涙の卒業式 出発)
 +
* [1977.12.17] [[Kiri no Hata]] (霧の旗)
 +
* [1978.07.22] [[Furimukeba Ai]] (ふりむけば愛)
 +
* [1978.11.23] [[Honoo no Mai]] (炎の舞)
 +
* [1979.08.04] [[White Love (film)|White Love]] (ホワイト・ラブ)
 +
* [1979.12.22] [[Tenshi wo Yuuwaku]] (天使を誘惑)
 +
* [1980.12.06] [[Koto]] (古都)
  
 +
===Dramas===
 +
* [1973.10.09] [[Kao de Waratte]] (顔で笑って)
 +
* [1974.07.08] [[Genka TV Shousetsu "Akari no Urumu Koro"]] (銀河テレビ小説 「灯のうるむ頃」)
 +
* [1974.10.04] [[Akai Meiro]] (赤い迷路)
 +
* [1975.10.03] [[Akai Giwaku]] (赤い疑惑)
 +
* [1976.04.23] [[Akai Unmei]] (赤い運命)
 +
* [1976.11.05] [[Akai Shougeki]] (赤い衝撃)
 +
* [1977.12.02] [[Akai Kizuna]] (赤い絆)
 +
* [1978.11.21] [[Hito wa Sore wo Scandal to Iu]] (人はそれをスキャンダルという)
 +
* [1980.11.07] [[Yamaguchi Momoe Intai Kinen Special Drama "Akai Shisen"]] (山口百恵引退記念スペシャルドラマ「赤い死線」)
  
 +
==External Links==
 +
* [http://sonymusic.co.jp/momoe/ Official Website]
  
[[Category:Artists]] [[Category:J-Pop]] [[Category:J-Actress]] [[Category:1959 Births]]
+
[[Category:Artists]]
 +
[[Category:Kayokyoku]]
 +
[[Category:J-Pop]]
 +
[[Category:J-Actress]]
 +
[[Category:1959 Births]]
 +
[[Category:Tokyo Artists]]
 +
[[Category:Blood Type A]]
 +
[[Category:Retired]]

Latest revision as of 19:45, 22 October 2010

Yamaguchi Momoe (1972)

Yamaguchi Momoe (山口百恵) is a former Japanese kayokyoku singer, actress and idol whose career lasted from 1972 to 1980. She is one of the most notable singers in Japanese music history with several songs that are frequently covered to this day. She is also notable as an actress in the Akai drama series. Yamaguchi secured her legacy by bowing out of the entertainment business at the peak of her career to marry her frequent costar, fellow actor Miura Tomokazu. Even to this day, almost 30 years after her retirement, she still commands public interest with constant inquiries about her coming back.

Profile

Information

Yamaguchi was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1959. Around the time she was born, she was left in the care of her maternal grandparents, of which she has said she has many fond memories. Around 4-years-old, she was returned to her parents and the family then moved to Yokohama. At an early age, her father left her mother as a single parent to her two daughters, Yamaguchi and her little sister Toshie. The family moved once again to Yokosuka, where they would stay until Yamaguchi rose to stardom. It is the place she considers home, shown in one of her most popular album tracks, "I CAME FROM Yokosuka", from her 11th album, Momoe Hakusho.

Yamaguchi appeared on the idol talent search television show Star Tanjou at the age of 13. She sung the children's song "Kaiten Mokuba". Though she only came in second place, she still received several deals, and chose a record contract releasing under CBS/Sony.

Her first single titled "Toshigoro", coupled with her first movie of the same name, did not fare very well, peaking at a low #37 on the Oricon weekly chart. It wasn't until her second single, "Aoi Kajitsu", that she really became popular. That single broke the top 10 and peaked at number 9. Yamaguchi fans and Japanese pop culture historians alike have accredited the suggestive lyrics of the song to its success. A rough summary of the chorus goes, "You can do what ever you want with me, it's okay if rumors spread that I'm a bad girl", all of this coming from a 13-year-old Yamaguchi. This trend carried on in her career for quite a while. One of her biggest hits, and most memorable songs to this day is her fifth single, "Hito Natsu no Keiken", which includes lyrics like "I'll give you the most precious thing a girl has" and "Everyone does it at least once, the entrapment of temptation".

As time went on, Yamaguchi gained more and more control over her career and strayed away from the songs with suggestive lyrics and went for songs more about a woman being strong and ready to support herself. These changes produced some of her most popular and memorable hits, such as "Cosmos", "Ii Hi Tabidachi", and "Sayonara no Mukougawa", all of which are all covered frequently to this day. The most popular single she ever released was "Yokosuka Story" in 1976, which sold over 600,000 copies and peaked at number one on the charts.

With an ever-growing popularity in the music industry, she had the same result in film. Her second film, Izu no Odoriko, based on the novel by Kawabata Yasunari, introduced her to Miura Tomokazu. Though Yamaguchi at the time was just 14, and Miura 22, they hit it off and had great screen chemistry. They starred in a total of 14 of her 17 movies together, one every winter and summer.

Near the end of her career, Yamaguchi became very sophisticated in her music. Much like The Beatles' career in that they started out without much artistic experimentation and ending with influential musical production, Yamaguchi's later career possesses many changes which are not typical of pop idols. Because she wanted to make a rock song before she ended her career, "Rock 'n' Roll Widow" was brought out. It was a popular single, which was included on the concept album Moebius's Game. Her 21st album, Phoenix Densetsu, was in fact written as a rock opera. Her 12th and 18th albums, GOLDEN FLIGHT and L.A. Blue, which were both recorded overseas (London and Los Angeles respectively) include heavy influences of music of the country it was recorded in. The overall sound of her later songs and albums have a much more mature and complex sound than her early songs.

With constant on-screen romance between Yamaguchi and Miura, an off-screen romance grew. During a trip to Hawaii in early 1979, Miura proposed to Yamaguchi. She accepted, and she also said that she would retire from the entertainment industry to do so. Yamaguchi officially announced their relationship at a concert in October 1979, and the official announcement about their marriage date and her retirement was made in March 1980. Only eight months after the announcement, she had her farewell concert at Nippon Budokan on October 5, 1980, released her last album, This is my trial, on October 21, 1980, and released her last single, "Ichi E", on November 19, 1980.

On October 15, 1980, Yamaguchi officially retired from show business, and on November 19, 1980, Yamaguchi and Miura were married. Though rumors have been circulating since her retirement that she would come back, she has kept to being a housewife and a mother to two sons. Her eldest son, Miura Yutaro, is currently the vocalist and guitarist of the band Peaky SALT (under the name Yu), and her second son, Miura Takahiro, is an actor.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Filmography

Films

Dramas

External Links