It's certainly one of the largest temporal gaps that I've created between one singer's first article on KKP and the sophomore article. I first wrote about singer-actress Rie Asakura（朝倉理恵）back around summer 2013 since she had recorded a cover of folk band GARO's "Kimi no Tanjoubi" （君の誕生日）in 1973. Unfortunately in the years since, the YouTube video for Asakura's version has been taken down although I was able to provide a link to Apple for an excerpt of the song.
You can still find out about some basic information about Asakura there, but almost 10 years later, I have her 3rd single from November 1973, "Sayonara, Konnichiwa" (Goodbye and Hello). Written by Kazumi Yasui（安井かずみ）and composed/arranged by Koichi Sakata（坂田晃一）, it's got that folk and light pop lilt but at the same time, that French accordion perhaps gives the song some New Music cachet, too. I even pick up a bit of blues.
Alas, I couldn't find it on YouTube, but there was a drama called "Sayonara, Konnichiwa" that was broadcast on NTV at the same time which didn't utilize Asakura's song as the main theme but more as an insert song. Composer Sakata was responsible for the show's soundtrack. For the record, Asakura released a total of 10 singles and 3 original albums up to 1979.
Hello. Well, I got here after trying to find out about Rie Asakura (Taeko Sakurai). I'm Brazilian, and I grew up watching the Japanese series "Spectreman", in which she was the fourth female member of the group. A few years ago I started looking for the four of them. Unfortunately, I don't have any current news about Rie Asakura. That's why I'm here, to ask if you happen to know anything about her nowadays, especially if she's still alive. It would be great for me to know. By the way, it was really cool to know that, after growing up, she was also a talented singer, with such a beautiful voice. Thank you for your attention.
ReplyDeleteHello there. Thanks for your inquiry. The good news is that Ms. Asakura is still alive at the age of 71 but there hasn't been any news regarding her in the last several decades. After her time as a pop singer in the 1970s, she actually started working for her producer, Masatoshi Sakai, as his secretary, and also released some children's songs as a freelancer. Also according to her J-Wiki profile, she apparently allowed any contracts with her recording companies to lapse by around 1984. Perhaps then, she just returned to being a regular person outside of show business.
DeleteThank you for your reply. It is really cool to be told she's still alive. Unfortunately, another one from "Spectreman", Machiko Konishi (the first one), appears to be still alive on Wikipedia, but the truth is that she died in 2022. Could you please let me know where (address) I can see any piece of news regarting to Ms. Rie Asakura stiil alive? That would be priceless. Gratitude!
DeleteUnfortunately, the last piece of information (which is the fact that she started working as a secretary for Mr. Sakai) is dated 1984. Aside from announcements of re-releases of BEST compilations by her, I could find nothing else on Asakura.
DeleteI see. I haven't found anything other than that either. So, it means she might not be still alive, as I have seen other Spectreman fans saying. Thank you so much for your attention.
DeleteHi there. Well, let's also think that she might still be alive and enjoying a well-earned retirement. :)
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