菅原都々子

Tsuzuko Sugawara (菅原都々子) (Born August 6, 1927 (though officially registered as August 15 of the same year), she is a Japanese female singer. Known for her distinctive singing style with a melancholic vibrato, she is called the "Queen of Elegy" and is famous as the first singer to perform at the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. Born on August 6, 1927 (Showa 2) in Sanbongi-machi, Kamikita-gun, Aomori Prefecture (present-day Towada City). Her father was Marumero Kawai, an Asakusa opera singer, who later became the composer Akira Mutsu. However, at the time, Mutsu had returned to his hometown and was working as a newspaper reporter. At the age of nine, she was sent to Tokyo alone for an audition, where she was recognized by composer Masao Koga, who gave her the name "Hisako Koga" and adopted her. 1937 (Showa 12) - Debuted with Teichiku Entertainment with "Otousan no Uta Tokei" (Father's Song Clock), composed by her adoptive father, Koga. At the same time, her biological father, Mutsu, also moved to Tokyo as a composer. In the same year, she released "Shonan-ko" (composed by Masao Koga). 1940 (Showa 15) - The adoption was dissolved. She returned to her father, Mutsu, and re-debuted as "Sugawara Tsutsuko". In March 1945, she graduated from the Toyo Music School, her father's alma mater. After the war, she gradually gained popularity with her unique high-pitched vibrato while working as an opening act for Yoshio Tabata. October 1946 (Showa 21) - "The Other Half of the Moon" October 1948 (Showa 23) "Tired of Dancing" 1950 (Showa 25) "The Town I Dream Of Living In" 1951 (Showa 26) January 3 - Made her first appearance on the "1st NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen" . She performed "Akogare no Sumu Machi" as the opening act for the Red Team and the first to perform. She has appeared on Kohaku a total of four times (see below for details). March - "My dream is to ride in a carriage" July - "The Ferryboat Song" October - "Enoshima Elegy" This song was made into a film by Daiei, which was a huge hit, and Sugawara Tsutsuko's name became known nationwide. Later, sequels such as "Sado Island Elegy," "Hakata Elegy," and "Strait Elegy" were produced, and her unique vibrato-laden, husky voice earned her the nickname "Queen of Elegies." December - "Arirang/Doraji" 1952 (Showa 27) October - "Sado Island Elegy" 1955 (Showa 30) April - "Because the moon is so blue" This song was launched by her father, Mutsu, as an attempt to change her image, as people were starting to get tired of elegies. In an era when the market was only 1/30th of its current size, it became a massive hit, selling over a million copies. This song solidified her position as a singer. July - "Tears of Mokpo" Originally a quiet person, she suffered a nervous breakdown, which led her to withdraw from the front lines of the music scene. She then began to sing only on television programs and in recitals, carefully selecting her appearances. June 1961 (Showa 36) - "Kitakami Nocturne" October 1968 (Showa 43) - "Namida Tsuki" (Tearful Moon) On August 4, 1971 (Showa 46), her biological father, Akira Mutsu, passed away (at the age of 76). February 1973 (Showa 48) - Married Hidekichi Nagamatsu, a member of the Japanese boxing team at the Berlin Olympics and a professor at Meiji University (at the time). July 25, 1978 (Showa 53) - Her adoptive father, Masao Koga, died of acute heart failure (at the age of 73). November 1979 (Showa 54) - Single "Kaze no Matasaburo" released. 1988 (Showa 63) - Held a recital to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her singing career. On November 18, 1992 (Heisei 4), her husband, Hidekichi Nagamatsu, died of acute myocardial infarction (at the age of 79). 1996 (Heisei 8) A recital was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of her singing career. September - 60th anniversary single "Anata ga Suki" (I Love You) 2001 (Heisei 13) - "Tsuki ga Tottemo Aoi kara" (The Moon is So Blue), a memoir commemorating the 65th anniversary of his singing career, was released (written by Yasunari Eishi). Appeared on "The 33rd Annual Memories of Melodies" (NHK). To commemorate her 65th anniversary as a singer, she released "When the Apple Blossoms Bloom." A recital commemorating the 65th anniversary of her singing career was held at Yakult Hall. 2006 (Heisei 18) Celebrating 70 years as a singer, she will release two commemorative singles, "Hana no Elegy" and "Yoru no Hatoba," in consecutive months. August - Appeared on "The 38th Annual Melody of Memories." Sang her mega-hit song "Tsuki ga Tottemo Aoi Kara" (Because the Moon is So Blue), showcasing her beautiful voice that remains unchanged from her prime. September - Album released to commemorate 70 years in the singing career. November 28 - Appeared live on "NHK Kayō Concert" (NHK General TV). December 10th - Held a concert at Yakult Hall to commemorate the 70th anniversary of her singing career. December 31 - Appeared on "Year-End Nippon Song Festival" (TV Tokyo). Ended her 69-year career as an active singer. Switched to volunteer singing activities. January 7, 2007 (Heisei 19) - Appeared on NHK-FM's "Sunday Coffee Shop". May 12, 2008 (Heisei 20) - A monument to the song "Tsuki ga Tottemo Aoi kara" (Because the Moon is So Blue) is erected in the front yard of Sagamihara Civic Hall. On July 6th, she made a guest appearance at the "Mimori Yusa Concert 'Skeet Lemon' ~A Taste of Showa-era Popular Songs~" held at Asakusa Public Hall. She performed a duet of "Tsuki ga to Aoi kara" (Because the Moon is Blue). August 22, 2009 (Heisei 21) - Appeared on "The 41st Annual Omoide no Melody" (Melodies of Memories). In response to a special request, she sang "Akogare no Sumu Machi" (The Town Where I Long to Live), the song she performed at the first Kohaku Uta Gassen, in the program's segment recreating the first Kohaku. October 28, 2010 (Heisei 22) - Made a special appearance at the "37th Japan Singers Association Song Festival" held at Yūpōto. 2011 (Heisei 23) June 18 - Appeared at the "4th Goda Michito's This Person, Song Calendar" held at the Koga Masao Music Museum Keyaki Hall. August 16 - On the same day, Akiko Futaba passed away, making her the last surviving performer from the first NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen (NHK Red and White Song Contest). November 11 - Performed at the "38th Japan Singers Association Song Festival" held at Yūpōto. 2012 (Heisei 24) October 12 - Appeared at the "Autumn Song Festival" held at Yūpōto (hosted by actress Chieko Baisho). November 6 - Appeared on "Kaiun! Nandemo Kanteidan" (TV Tokyo). 2013 (Heisei 25) July 3rd - Attended the farewell ceremony for Yoshio Tabata held at the Imperial Hotel in Chiyoda Ward. August 14 - Appeared on "Nostalgic Showa Melodies" (TV Tokyo). September 14 - Appointed as a Towada Oirase Tourism Ambassador by his hometown of Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. November 14 - Attended the funeral and memorial service for Chiyoko Shimakura. December 31 - Appeared on "The 46th Year-End Nippon Song Festival" (TV Tokyo). 2014 August 9th - Appeared on NHK's "The 46th Annual Melody of Memories." October 14th - A concert was held to commemorate his 88th birthday. In February of that year, some media outlets reported that she had announced her retirement from singing at the end of the year, but after the concert, she declared, "If you take away my singing, there is nothing left of me. I want to continue singing as long as my voice holds out." 2015 January 4 - Appeared on "Maromaro Issho Kenmei - New Year's Special Edition" (TV Asahi). April 19 - Appeared on "Shin BS Nippon no Uta" (NHK BS Premium). August 13 - Appeared on "Natsu Matsuri Nippon no Uta" (TV Tokyo) and performed Yoshio Tabata's "Kaeri Fune". 2016 December 16 - Appeared on "Japan Singers Association Song Festival 3" (BS Japan) and performed "Enoshima Elegy". 2017 August 4 - Appeared on "Showa Era Shone Brightly" (BS Japan). August 5th - Appeared on the 49th "Memories of Melodies" (live broadcast) and performed "Tsuki ga Tottemo Aoi kara" (Because the Moon is So Blue). As the following day was her 90th birthday, this was her last television appearance in her 80s. October 14th - A concert was held to commemorate his 88th birthday. In February of that year, some media outlets reported that she had announced her retirement from singing at the end of the year, but after the concert, she declared, "If you take away my singing, there is nothing left of me. I want to continue singing as long as my voice holds out." 2018 January 2nd - Appeared at the Japan Singers Association's New Year's Song Festival and performed "Tsuki ga Tottemo Aoi kara" (Because the Moon is So Blue). August 18 - Appeared on the 50th episode of "Memories of Melodies" and performed "The Ferryboat Song." This was the first time the song had been sung on the program since the 21st episode aired in 1989, 29 years ago. 2021 October - Donated costumes to Teichiku Entertainment for younger singers. 2022 August 30 - Machiko Sanjo passed away at the age of 97 at her home in Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture, due to old age. Like the first Kohaku Uta Gassen, she is the only surviving participant from the second and fourth editions. November 20 - Received the 2022 Citizen's Cultural Award from Sagamihara City. December 7 - Submitted written responses to an interview for NHK Radio 2's "One Hundred Years and One Hundred Stories of Announcers." Regarding the first Kohaku Uta Gassen, she revealed, "As someone in my early twenties, all I wanted was to sing as quickly as possible and go home as quickly as possible," and added that she was helped by the announcer's hosting. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.