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Mieko Hirota (弘田三枝子, Hirota Mieko, February 5, 1947 – July 21, 2020) was a Japanese singer. Her nickname was Mico (also spelled Miko).
Mieko Hirota 弘田三枝子 | |
|---|---|
 Mieko in 1966 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mieko Takenaga 竹永 三枝子 |
| Born | February 5, 1947 Ikejiri, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, Occupied Japan |
| Died | July 21, 2020 (aged 73) |
| Genres | Pop, jazz, Kayōkyoku, R&B |
| Instrument | Singing |
| Years active | 1961–2020 |
| Labels | EMI Music Japan Nippon Columbia King Records |
Hirota was born in Setagaya, Tokyo. She grew up listening to pop and jazz in places like Tachikawa, which was frequented by Occupation troops. She made her debut in 1961 at age 14. In 1965, Mico became the first Japanese singer to sing the song "Sunny" on album and the first to appear at the Newport Jazz Festival.
Mico appeared on the NHK New Year's Eve Kōhaku Uta Gassen eight times. Her first performance was in 1962, when she sang the Connie Francis tune "Vacation." NHK tapped her for the next four years in succession, and again in 1969, 1970, and 1971.
She sang the theme song, "Leo no Uta", for the animated television series Kimba the White Lion.
Hirota's commercial career included endorsements for Nescafé, Nippon Oil, Daikin Industries, Fujiya, Renown, and Sapporo Beer.
Hirota died on July 21, 2020, at the age of 73 following a fall.[1] She became one of eight recipients of the Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Japan Record Awards.[2]
Kōhaku Uta Gassen appearances
edit| Number | Year | Song | Appearance order | Opponent | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1962 | ヴァケーション (Vacation) | 3/25 | Hisahiko Iida | Kōhaku debut, youngest record in Red team (15 years) |
| 14 | 1963 | 悲しきハート (Kanashiki Heart, "Sad Heart/Lock Your Heart Away") | 1/25 | Yasuo Tanabe | Grand Top Batter |
| 15 | 1964 | アレキサンダーズ・ラグタイム・バンド (Alexander's Ragtime Band) | 16/25 | Hitoshi Ueki | |
| 16 | 1965 | 恋のクンビア (Koi No Cumbia, "Cumbia Of Love") | 14/25 | Johnnys | |
| 18 | 1967 | 渚のうわさ (Nagisa No Uwasa, "Rumor In Beach/End Of Summer") | 17/23 | Satake Barb | Returned after 2 years |
| 20 | 1969 | 人形の家 (Ningyou No Ie, "The House Of Dolls") | 13/23 | Yukio Hashi | Returned after 2 years, second half top batter |
| 21 | 1970 | ロダンの肖像 (Rodan No Shōzō, "Portrait Of Rodin/Portrait Of Love") | 8/24 | Kenichi Mikawa | |
| 22 | 1971 | バラの革命 (Bara No Kakumei, "Revolution Of Roses/Rose And Blood") | 22/25 | Akira Fuse |
Sources
editThis article incorporates material from 弘田三枝子 (Hirota Mieko) in the Japanese Wikipedia, retrieved on February 10, 2008.
- ^ "弘田三枝子さんが死去 ７３歳「ヴァケーション」「夢みるシャンソン人形」など（デイリースポーツ）". Yahoo!ニュース. Archived from the original on 2020-07-27.
- ^ Ryusenkai (19 November 2020). "Winners and Nominees for the 62nd Japan Record Awards Announced". Arama! Japan. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
External links
edit- TEZUKA OSAMU @ WORLD : ANIME STATION ジャングル大帝 site
- Official blog
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