Retro Idols : Yoru no Hit Studio
Yoru no Hit Studio (夜のヒットスタジオ ; means: "studio of hit songs of the night") was a legendary retro music program that aired from November 1968 to October 1990. Now even though I called it "legendary", this was just a "normal" tv program aired every Monday night back then, not to be confused with the prestigious yearly new year eve show: Kohaku Uta Gassen. On the other hand, Yoru no Hit Studio is not just any "normal" tv show either; in the span of 22 years it has a total of 1131 episodes which has showcased about 13,000 songs sung by 1,000 singers.
The most iconic segment of this show is the opening part; where all the singers invited that night would sang each other songs. The first singer would sang the song of the singer next to them before passing the mic to the original singer, who would sang the song of the next singer after them and passed the mic, with the chain continue until the last singer sang their own song with no one to pass the mic to.
The next iconic thing about this show is its stage decoration. There were some pieces of metal bars with contemporary design on the background and a platform steps with some kind of pattern where the MCs and singers would came down from (just like what shown in the profile picture of this page). In the 1970s, the stage set was still very simple so there were more metal bars, but entering the 1980s the stage sets became more complex where they would often put large size stage props, so some of the metal bars would be removed later to make more space. Even then, until the last episode, there's still at least one metal bars placed behind the instrument players and the platform steps still intact until the end. Everytime you watch video of retro Japanese singers, if there are the metal bars and the platform on the background, that must be from "Yoru no Hit Studio".
With a long airing period, every single idols whose songs I have translated have performed at least once in this show. That's two different generation of idols, all of them performed on that historical stage. Now, let's watch their video.
One of Hide & Rosanna performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1977:
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, Italian
One of Okazaki Yuki performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1980:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
One of Amachi Mari performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1976:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Minami Saori performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1976:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Asaoka Megumi performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1975:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Asada Miyoko performance in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1973:
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV11J411w7VC?
^ 1:05
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
One of Abe Shizue performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1977 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop-Folk
Language: Japanese
One of Agnes Chan performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1977 :
Country: Hong Kong
Genres: Folk, Pop
Languages: Japanese, Chinese (Cantonese), English, Chinese
One of Sakurada Junko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1977 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Ota Hiromi performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1978 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Yamaguchi Momoe performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1978 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Iwasaki Hiromi performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1976 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Okada Nana performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1977 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Candies performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1977 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Pink Lady performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1977 :
Country: Japan
Genres: Disco, Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Ishino Mako performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1981:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Takada Mizue performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1980:
Country: Japan
Genres: Folk, Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Sakakibara Ikue performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1978:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Ishikawa Hitomi performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1978 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Matsuda Seiko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1983 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, French
One of Nakamori Akina performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1988 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English, Spanish
One of Kawai Naoko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1983 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Kashiwabara Yoshie performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1984 :
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
One of Iwasaki Yoshimi performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1980:
Country: Japan
Genres: Anime, Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Yakushimaru Hiroko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1985 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Matsumoto Iyo performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1982:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Hayami Yuu performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1985 :
Country: Japan
Genres: Pop, Pop-Rock
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Hori Chiemi performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1985 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Ishikawa Hidemi performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1985 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Harada Tomoyo performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1986 :
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, English, French
One of Koizumi Kyoko (Kyon²) performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1984 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese
One of Kikuchi Momoko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Nishimura Tomomi performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1986 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Oginome Yoko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Okada Yukiko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1985 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Honda Minako performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1986:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Saito Yuki performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1985:
One of Minamino Yoko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Asaka Yui performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1988 :
One of Nakayama Miho performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1988 :
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, English, Spanish
One of Kudo Shizuka performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1989 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Onyanko Club performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1985:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Kawai Sonoko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1986 :
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
One of Kokusho Sayuri performance in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Takai Mamiko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Yuuyu performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1988 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Watanabe Minayo performance in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Watanabe Marina performance in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Nitta Eri performance in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1986:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Fukunaga Satomi performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1986:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Jounouchi Sanae performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1986 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Folk
Language: Japanese
One of Princess Princess performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1989 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop-Rock
Language: Japanese
One of Moritaka Chisato performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1989 :
Country: Japan
Genres: Pop, Singer-songwriter
Language: Japanese
One of Wink performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1989 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Electropop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Sakai Noriko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987 :
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, Chinese
One of Ito Miki performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987 :
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
One of Tachibana Risa performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987 :
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
One of Shimada Nami performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987 :
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, English
One of BaBe performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987:
One of Ozawa Natsuki performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1988:
^ together with her co-stars from the "Hana no Asuka-gumi" tv series. Natsuki is the girl with ponytail and black skirt.
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
One of Nakayama Shinobu performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1989:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
One of Tamura Eriko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1989:
One of Yoshimoto Miyoko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1986:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Mita Hiroko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1982:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Yoshida Mariko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1988:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
One of Tanaka Minako performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1989:
^ she was about to sing this song. That thumbnail is not her (obviously).
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Tomita Yasuko performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1985:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
One of CoCo performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1990 :
* that was 8 months before this show ended. At least they still had a chance to perform in "Yoru no Hit Studio", unlike 1990s idols.
Country: Japan
Genres: New Wave, Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Mi-Ke performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1990 :
Oh, wait a minute! Mi-Ke were formed in 1991 while Yoru no Hit Studio stopped airing in October 1990. How could they perform there? Well, before they became Mi-Ke, those three were backing vocals for the band B.B Queens. So when B.B Queens performed in Yoru no Hit Studio, of course Mi-Ke would be there too.
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, English
One of The Checkers performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1984:
Country: Japan
Genres: Pop-Rock, Rock 'n' Roll
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Toshi performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1988:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
One of Matchy performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987:
Country: Japan
Genres: Hard Rock, Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Shibugakitai performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1985
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
One of Hikaru Genji performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Diazepan Medina
Tue, 06/09/2022 - 18:43
There are sooooo many things to say about this show (my favorite of the retro japanese music shows).
The 3rd most iconic thing is the camera work. They are never still, they get too close to the artist and make all kinds of zooms. The first video I saw of Momoe Yamaguchi was this one where the cameraman falls
The 4th most iconic thing are their specials. Shows filmed outside the studio (and 4 of them outside Japan), specials of bloopers and iconic performances, but most of all the Momoe's farewell special.
But also, another reason this is is my favorite retro show is because the singers could sing the full song, and not just the abbreviated version as it usually happens on other music shows.
RetroPanda
Tue, 06/09/2022 - 21:56
Ah, I remember that one. I thought it was Momoe's mic that fell down, but it's the cameraman who fell? Poor camera guy.
In this video from Abe Shizue's song, at the end of the video seems like the cameraman also tried to be creative:
Now you mention the bloopers, I remember the blooper video you posted few days ago. I'll post it here. lol
RetroPanda
Tue, 06/09/2022 - 22:28
Moments happened in "Yoru no Hit Studio" :
Miscellaneous moments: surprise visit, bloopers, etc.
^ (0:21) Sakai Noriko angry expression because she didn't like the surprise visit, (5:31) Matchy (Akina's ex-boyfriend) seems to have phobia of balloon, (6:37) Kudo Shizuka stretchy skin, (8:19) Matsumoto Iyo head bump, ouch!, (8:32) Nishimura Tomomi who was a big fans of Kikuchi Momoko even though she herself was an idol too, (8:49) Asaka Yui, (9:11) Kyon2
Sakurada Junko and Yamaguchi Momoe playing around, singing Pink Lady's song during rehearsal without knowing they were being recorded:
and later the recording shown to Pink Lady themselves.
Candies in the stadium that would be the venue the next day for their farewell concert, 1978
^ That was live broadcast outside of the studio; but the "Yoru no Hit Studio" studio (with their metal bars) can be seen in 1:25. And Candies in casual clothes looked like early 1980s idols.
Ishino Mako heart-warming send-off by Yoru No Hit Studio's crews and guest artists as she was about to retire from singing and got married
She will came back to entertainment industry 2 years later.
Sakai Noriko got surprise visit by her softball club friends and coach:
Jackie Chan appeared in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1988:
to have a duet with Kawai Naoko
Kudo Shizuka and her dog:
Akina singing "Nanpasen" made all the audiences (who were all singers themselves) felt emotional
including the senior female singer who was the one who wrote that song.
Nakayama Miho and Aida Shoko (Wink), just celebrating "Coming of Age Day" in 1990:
In Japan there's holiday called "coming of age day" where people who will reach the age of 20 at that year will wear traditional clothes and celebrate reaching adulthood. Both Nakayama Miho and Aida Shoko were born in 1970, so they'd reached their 20 in 1990. Photos of them wearing kimono when they celebrate that holiday can be seen in that video. Shoko's "forever partner": Suzuki Sachiko can be seen behind her, but she's not part of the celebration because she's one year older than them.
Minamino Yoko wore a costume designed by a fan. The girl who designed it got invited to "Yoru no Hit Studio"
^ the girl looked stylish, by looks alone she could passed as an idol. lol. And there's Kyon2 among the audiences / guest performers.
"Yoru no Hit Studio" presenter visited Okada Nana's home in 1976
"Yoru no Hit Studio" brought their first loves to give them a surprise visit:
^ 0:00 - 1:09 the first loves of Saito Yuki, Kokusho Sayuri, Honda Minako, Kudo Shizuka. The rest are surprise visits from parents.
Aida Shoko sang this song alone in "Yoru no Hit Studio" without her 'forever partner'
^ As Wink, Aida Shoko and Suzuki Sachiko always performed together. But at that time Sachiko was sick and needed to rest for 2 weeks, so Shoko performed this song alone. She seemed to almost cry. Even the choreography looked incomplete because it was created for two people.
Once Sachin came back, they became whole again and performed one more time in "Yoru no Hit Studio" :
Kikuchi Momoko gave earrings and hat to Nishimura Tomomi as gifts
^ Nishimura Tomomi was a big fan of Kikuchi Momoko, kinda like her little sister.
Harada Tomoyo arm-wrestled with Teresa Teng (a really BIG diva from HongKong)
^ Teresa Teng was like a really really BIG diva in Asia at that time. Somehow "Yoru no Hit Studio" could bring Jackie Chan and Teresa Teng to their show. Maybe that was around the time when Kawai Naoko had a duet with her.
"Yoru no Hit Studio" brought each of Princess Princess members' first love to their show:
Ishikawa Hidemi and Nakamori Akina birthdays in "Yoru no Hit Studio"
^ Hidemi (July 13, 1966) and Akina (July 13, 1965) have the same birthdays.
Matsuda Seiko singing "Aoi Sangoshou" with everyone:
^ (0:39, 0:58) Nakamori Akina, (0:59) Toshi, (1:01) Shibugakitai trio, (1:02) Kawai Naoko and Asaka Yui, (1:05) Watanabe Marina... and other non-idol singers.
Matsuda Seiko passed the mic to her crush, Go Hiromi (a 1970s male idol) in Yoru no Hit Studio:
^ Seiko was a big fan of Go Hiromi, later they dated for a few years before they broke up. Seiko used to face against Go Hiromi in Kohaku Uta Gassen too (just like Akina and her ex).
Seems like it's "Yoru no Hit Studio" outdoor set where Abe Shizue sang on. There's something funny on it.
^ Seems like they just brought out those stands / furnitures used by instrument players from the studio, instead of building new ones. Fortunately they didn't bring out the metal bars too. lol
Farewell to Agnes Chan in 1977, when she was about to take a break from singing to continue her study in college:
^ she would come back few years later.
When Yamaguchi Momoe sang "Play Back part 2" in 1978, the cameraman tripped and Momoe dropped her mic
^ but they were professionals and the show went on
Just Nanno looked cute in a tracksuit, with a giant fruit basket behind her
^ what else can I put into the description. lol.
One of the episodes when Nakayama Miho performed in Yoru no Hit Studio
^ (0:18) Tahara Toshihiko a.k.a Toshi, (0:36) Oginome Yoko, (1:23) a boyband called CHA-CHA, one of their member would later marry Nishimura Tomomi, (1:42) Nakayama Miho singing Akina song and passed the mic to her, (5:55) Miho won an award and they brought it to "Yoru no Hit Studio", (8:08) Nakayama Miho singing Witches
Nanno co-stars in her drama appeared in " Yoru no Hit Studio"
Kyon Kyon - who was quite short and tiny even among female idols - with an extremely tall guy twice her size
^ really, "Yoru no Hit Studio" could bring all kind of guests to their show; from someone's first love and parents, to Hong Kong megastars like Jackie Chan and Teresa Teng .... and now this guy, who I guess must be one of the Guinness Book's tallest men or something.
Matsuda Seiko met Go Hiromi (1970s male idol, a very popular singer) for the first time
^ Seiko was a big fan of him. Later they ended up dating for a few years.
Kikuchi Momoko playing catching ramen before she sang
^ never saw this game but it seems fun. lol
Okada Yukiko crying during her performance:
Kyon Kyon singing "Nattetatte Idol" with everyone
^ there were: Oginome Yoko (0:55), Nakayama Miho (0:58), Matchy (0:59), Nanno (1:10).
"Yoru no Hit Studio" brought Asaka Yui's first love to their show
Wink watching the original version of the song their cover version originated from:
Wink broadcasted from outside the studio:
^ smal screen in 0:08 shows that this was part of "Yoru no Hit Studio"
Teresa Teng (*a very big diva from Hong Kong) 32 birthday in "Yoru no Hit Studio", 1985
^ (0:51) Matchy looks cool tho, (4:39) the birthday cake!
The so called "Idol Four Heavenly Kings" (*based on mythology of four heavenly warriors who guard heaven's gate in four directions) mic passes in "Yoru no Hit Studio".
^ the media called them that because Kudo Shizuka, Nakayama Miho, Minamino Yoko and Asaka Yui were seen as four biggest idol rising stars in late 1980s. (*Saito Yuki, Kikuchi Momoko, Oginome Yoko were probably seen as mid 1980s idols, already veterans, no longer new rising stars. Wink and Chisato hadn't come yet).
Nishimura Tomomi got a visit from the dog she co-starred with in her movie
Watanabe Marina watching monkey playing tricks
Iwasaki Yoshimi with her sister: Iwasaki Hiromi in "Yoru no Hit Studio"
^ notice that even thought it's Yoshimi who sang, but it was Hiromi who looked so nervous. Those facial expressions and body language couldn't be faked, that's genuine. These two sisters have a very strong bond.
Tachibana Risa revealed to be a fan of Kawai Naoko
^ Late '80s idols growing up watching early '80s idols, so some of them were fans of either Matsuda Seiko or Kawai Naoko (*poor Yoshie). (3:03) Behind Risa, there's Asaka Yui there, and behind Asaka Yui there's one of "Yoru no Hit Studio" dancers who looked like Aida Shoko but that's not her. (4:26) Matchy was also there.
Akina being cute
^ nobody seemed to notice her, not the presenters nor the singer sat next to her. Well, maybe that dude in gray suit saw her.
Nakayama Miho visited by child actor who co-starred with her in her drama:
Kikuchi Momoko childhood pictures:
Wink (Sachiko and Shoko (...and Nakayama Miho behind them)) watching Kudo Shizuka watching Moriguchi Hiroko impersonating her:
^ that was in 1990, just few months before "Yoru no Hit Studio" ended.
The "idol queen" singing "Nantettatte Idol"
^ Honda Minako paid respect at Marylin Monroe's grave. Her song "1986' Marylin" was inspired by Marylin Monroe.
Kristen Stewart is a time traveler. She could appear in "Yoru no Hit Studio" before she was born
^ cool song tho
Matsuda Seiko first appearance in "Yoru no Hit Studio", April 28, 1980
Sakai Noriko passed the mic 🎤 to B.B Queen while speaking her Nori-P language, 1990
^ when there were B.B Queen, of course Mi-Ke were there too. That song was very popular in 1990, it brought them to Kohaku Uta Gassen 1990. CoCo were also there among the guests.
Hori Chiemi last appeareance in "Yoru no Hit Studio" singing her last single before retirement, March 11, 1987
^ Shibugakitai and Hayami Yuu who debuted in the same year and were (*are still) close friends were there with her. Kawai Sonoko was also there among the guests (0:17). Later she came back to entertainment industry in 1989.
A fan designed costume for Honda Minako and they invited her to "Yoru no Hit Studio"
Saito Yuki played in a musical stage play "Les Miserables" in 1987. The entire casts of that musical came to "Yoru no Hit Studio" and they sang together:
RetroPanda
Sun, 11/09/2022 - 03:21
Kyon2 watching idols from the past that have performed in "Yoru no Hit Studio", with her "Nantettatte Idol" (<-- song about idol's life) as the background song:
^ (0:09) herself, (0:17) Amachi Mari, (0:21) Ishino Mako, (0:23) Minami Saori, (0:31) Ota Hiromi, (0:32) Agnes Chan, (0:33) young Yamaguchi Momoe, (0:36) Candies, (0:42) Pink Lady, (0:48) Sakurada Junko, (0:59) Matsuda Seiko, (1:04) Matsumoto Iyo, (1:11) Hayami Yuu, (1:23) Hori Chiemi, (1:33) Kawai Naoko, (1:42 - 2:12) herself.
Diazepan Medina
Sun, 11/09/2022 - 18:39
RetroPanda
Sun, 11/09/2022 - 19:08
She has performed so many times there. Seems like everyone "cosplayed" as Seiko when they just started, before they found their own special characteristics.
Diazepan Medina
Sun, 11/09/2022 - 19:28
Nah, they just liked her hairstyle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seiko-chan_cut
RetroPanda
Fri, 16/09/2022 - 08:49
Akimoto Yasushi, the lyricist who wrote all Onyanko Club songs and one of the influential figure behind Onyanko Club appeared in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1986:
^ The two girl in red shirts in that video are sub-unit of Onyanko Club called: "Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi". Beside their main group, Onyanko Club have 3 smaller sub-groups. The red shirt girl on the left is Takai Mamiko, one of the main members of Onyanko Club. Takai Mamiko later would got married with Akimoto Yasushi in 1988.
(* although he looked much older than the Onyanko girls, the actual age gap between Akimoto Yasushi (born: 1958) and Takai Mamiko (born: 1966) is only 8 years. Takai Mamiko was about 20 years old in that video from 1986.)
Diazepan Medina
Fri, 16/09/2022 - 14:40
I couldn't find the video where Mamiko appears next to her sister Masayo Takai. Masayo was a member of Dee-dee, who were the dancing crew of Yoru no hit in the second half of the 80's.
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dee-Dee
They also recorded singles. Masayo is the one singing the first verse (and most of the lead vocals)
RetroPanda
Fri, 16/09/2022 - 15:51
Thanks. Their vocals were good tho for dancers.
RetroPanda
Sun, 18/09/2022 - 02:29
RetroPanda
Sun, 09/10/2022 - 20:23
RetroPanda
Sun, 04/12/2022 - 12:07
RetroPanda
Sun, 04/12/2022 - 16:42
RetroPanda
Wed, 07/12/2022 - 19:55
RetroPanda
Mon, 19/12/2022 - 03:54
RetroPanda
Fri, 30/12/2022 - 19:30
The "queen's" medley in "Yoru no Hit Studio"
^ Matsuda Seiko 24 songs medley; all her main singles up to "Strawberry Time" (not included "Marrakech" and "Tabidachi wa Freesia", because those songs hadn't been released yet). Among those songs, there were: (0:00) Strawberry Time, (1:23) Tenshi no Wink, (1:47) Himitsu no Hanazono, (2:05) Akai Sweet Pea, (2:50) Aoi Sangoshou, (3:50) Nagisa no Balcony, (4:09) Shiroi Parasol, (5:30) Tengoku no Kiss .
RetroPanda
Sat, 04/02/2023 - 05:28
RetroPanda
Sat, 04/03/2023 - 08:04
RetroPanda
Tue, 14/03/2023 - 04:17
Matsuda Seiko watching her past performances in "Yoru no Hit Studio" in 1987
^ There were Akina and Kawai Naoko in 1:01. Kawai Naoko (1:41, 2:42, 6:20) looked like today's idol in that haircut. (3:43, 3:59) Akina sang along with the song. (6:11) Watanabe Marina, that Onyanko Club had disbanded, she needed to continue her career as solo singer. (6:49) Shibugakitai member: Yakkun, Ishikawa Hidemi's future husband.
RetroPanda
Mon, 27/03/2023 - 15:24
RetroPanda
Thu, 27/04/2023 - 19:50
Those city pop singers in "Yoru no Hit Studio"
Nakahara Meiho, 1985
^ singing her song: "Yakimochi-yaki RHUMBA BOY"
Her stats:
Nakahara Meiho , born: May 8, 1959.
. Debut: April 21, 1982.
. The highest position her song has ever reached in Oricon chart is #8.
. Highest selling song: "Kimi tachi Kiwi Papaya Mango da ne" ( Oricon #8, 270,000 sales, used is Kanebo cosmetic CM).
. Can't find her total sales.
. Never perform in Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Matsubara Miki, November 1979
^ singing her debut song: "Mayonaka no Door ~ Stay WIth Me"
Performed it again in February 1980
Her stats:
Matsubara Miki, born: November 28, 1959, died: October 7, 2004.
.Debut: November 5, 1979.
. The highest position her song has ever reached in Oricon chart is #26.
. "Mayonaka no Door - Stay With Me" is her debut song, it reached #28 in Oricon chart with 104,000 sales by Oricon version (or 300,000 copies according to Canyon Records version, her label company).
. Can't find data of her highest selling song and her total sales.
. She never performed in Kohaku Uta Gassen.
^ oh wait, that's not Matsubara Miki, just some random "queen" ♛ covering that song.
Takeuchi Mariya, 1979
^ singing her song: "September"
Her stats:
Takeuchi Mariya, born: March 20, 1955.
. Debut: November 25, 1978.
. The highest position her song has ever reached in Oricon chart is #1 (2 times). She also has 6 albums that reached #1 in Oricon chart.
. Her highest selling song: "Junai Rhapsody" (Oricon #5 (but ranked #6 in Oricon monthly chart in June 1994), 896,000 sales!!, used as drama OST and CM soundtrack).
. She has released 44 singles and 11 albums, still active now with her latest single was from 2020. Her total song sales are 16 millions copies.
. She has appeared one time in Kohaku Uta Gassen 2019, but as guest performer, not as member of team "Red".
* I'm not gonna do their song. They are not "idol". Just showing that they too used to perform in this beloved show. They too have set foot there, seen those metal bars and experienced the mic pass. lol.
* As their age comparison with retro idols: Nakahara Meiho and Matsubara Miki are the same age as Yamaguchi Momoe / Okada Nana, Takeuchi Mariya is the same age as Asaoka Megumi / Agnes Chan / Ota Hiromi. The difference is that idol singers usually debut at their mid to late teens while it's normal for regular singers to debut at their 20s.
RetroPanda
Sun, 28/05/2023 - 23:39
RetroPanda
Thu, 08/06/2023 - 16:47
This seems to be "Yoru no Hit Studio" year-end special. Based on the evidences shown (B.B Queen song became a hit, the presence of Wink, Akina & Kudo Shizuka looks, etc), this was most likely in 1990. Comparing the timeline, the show has already ended few months prior and this seems to be a special episode to pay tribute to singers that have performed there. The video is 2 hours long, probably too long, feel free to skip / scroll to any part.
^ The video is 2 hours long, probably too long, feel free to skip / scroll to any part. Here's the summary:
- Sitting in the sofa (*finally they sat in sofa, not on that "Yoru no Hit Studio" hard bench) in the studio, on the right side of the hosts were non-idol singers, except Sawada Kenji (male idol in very early 1970s, he was 42 years old in 1990, most likely not counted as idol anymore). On the left of the hosts were all idol singers, there were: Toshi, Nakamori Akina, Kudo Shizuka (only there in the first half ot the video, probably left in the middle of the show or prepared to perform) , Wink (only appeared for awhile (36:19), either left in the middle of the show or prepared to perform), Nanno, Fu-kun (one of the Shibugakitai trio), Matsumoto Iyo, Oginome Yoko, and Hikaru Genji (the boyband).
- Idols appeared in the VTR: (1:49) Wink, some male idols, Onyanko Club, Oginome Yoko, Shibugakitai, Ishikawa Hidemi, Hori Chiemi, Hayami Yuu, Matsumoto Iyo, Kashiwabara Yoshie, Matchy, Kawai Naoko, Ishino Mako, Pink Lady, Candies, Ota Hiromi, Yamaguchi Momoe, Sakurada Junko, Asada Miyoko, Agnes Chan, Saijo Hideki (early 1970s male idol, Megumi's ..uh...classmate), Noguchi Goro (early 1970s male idol), Go Hiromi (early 1970s male idol, Matsuda Seiko's ex-boyfriend), Asaoka Megumi !!, Minami Saori,
- VTR or most unique costumes (32:48) Kyon2, Kudo Shizuka, Oginome Yoko, Nakayama Miho, Nanno
- (36:50) Sachiko and Shoko close up. lol
- (44:11) Toshi CM
- (51:41) Nakamori Akina compilation
- (1:10:25) Togawa Jun, the eccentric singer with "unique" music. One of her representative song is "Suki Suki Daisuki" , a satire song about idol.
- (1:16:41) Oginome Yoko CM
- (1:18:23) Matsumoto Iyo close up
- (1:24:10) Akina's body language subconsciously reacted when she heard that name. Finally it's the VTR of Matsuda Seiko compilation
- (1:26:58) Hayami Yuu wasn't there, but she appeared in a CM
- (1:34:00) Sawada Kenji compilation
- (1:42:34) Princess Princess appeared in the VTR singing "Diamond". And then there's an all-female metal band: Show-Ya
- The rest are non-idol singers segments. Seems like I've seen Teresa Teng and Takeuchi Mariya somewhere. There's also B.B Queen in one of the VTR. There's also enka segment.
- It shows that Japan had a lot of singers, idol singers were just a part of them. Competition between idols was already though, but they also needed to competed with singers from other genres. Still, idol singers always managed to secure some slots in Kohaku Uta Gassen.
RetroPanda
Sun, 02/07/2023 - 02:25
RetroPanda
Sun, 22/10/2023 - 18:08
RetroPanda
Mon, 15/01/2024 - 20:31
RetroPanda
Sat, 13/04/2024 - 20:20
Some of the mic passes between idols:
Minamino Yoko passed the mic to Sakai Noriko:
Wink passed the mic to Kudo Shizuka:
Oginome Yoko passed the mic to Saito Yuki:
Matsuda Seiko ♛ passed the mic to Sakai Noriko:
Matsuda Seiko passed the mic to Kyon²:
Nanno passed the mic to Babe:
CoCo passed the mic to Nanno:
Onyanko Club passed the mic to Nakamori Akina:
Kondo Masahiko (Matchy) passed the mic to his then girlfriend, Nakamori Akina
Matchy to Akina