Mon, October 20, 2008 (1:50am EDT)
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR vocalist Maki performed her final show with the group on Saturday at the Akasaka Blitz in Tokyo. In July, she had announced that she would be leaving the band by the end of this year due to her marriage to DREAMS COME TRUE's Masato Nakamura.
For the final concert, HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR performed a total of 21 songs, including Maki's last single, "Remember," which went on sale last week.
The band's five remaining men have said that they will remain active without Maki. The group also has a request album titled "BEEEEEEST" coming out on November 26.
For the final concert, HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR performed a total of 21 songs, including Maki's last single, "Remember," which went on sale last week.
The band's five remaining men have said that they will remain active without Maki. The group also has a request album titled "BEEEEEEST" coming out on November 26.
Mon, October 20, 2008 (1:29am EDT)
Guitarist Shinji Shiotsugu passed away in a Tochigi hospital early on Sunday, suffering from heart failure. He was 57. He was scheduled to play a show in Tochigi on Saturday night, but he was taken to the hospital just before the concert after he suddenly collapsed.
Shiotsugu was a founder of the Kyoto-based West Road Blues Band in 1971, and he became one of the key figures in Japan's blues boom. He continued on with a solo career and is still recognized to this day as one of the country's top blues guitarists.
Shiotsugu was a founder of the Kyoto-based West Road Blues Band in 1971, and he became one of the key figures in Japan's blues boom. He continued on with a solo career and is still recognized to this day as one of the country's top blues guitarists.
Mon, October 20, 2008 (1:15am EDT)
The fall drama season is almost in full swing, and the ratings so far seem promising. TBS's highly anticipated "Ryusei no Kizuna" premiered on Friday, and ratings data indicates that the first episode averaged 21.2%, marking the best start so far this season. It is the second series to surpass the 20% barrier, as "Kaze no Garden" debuted at 20.1% and stayed strong at 18.0% in its second week.
A few other dramas have started well. "Celeb to Binbou Taro" hit 17.6%, while "SCANDAL" achieved 16.9%. This week also marks the premiere of the Fuji TV production "Innocent Love" and the 7th season of the popular detective drama "Aibou."
A few other dramas have started well. "Celeb to Binbou Taro" hit 17.6%, while "SCANDAL" achieved 16.9%. This week also marks the premiere of the Fuji TV production "Innocent Love" and the 7th season of the popular detective drama "Aibou."
Mon, October 20, 2008 (1:00am EDT)
Female hip-hop trio YA-KYIM has done a remake of the Kome Kome Club song "Kimi ga Iru Dake de." Originally released in 1992, the song eventually sold about 2.9 million copies, becoming the biggest hit of the '90s and the 5th best selling single in Japanese history. Although Kome Kome Club has previously received requests by artists to sample the tune, this is the first time they have given their consent. All three YA-KYIM members wrote a letter asking them for approval.
The remake has already been on the airwaves since the start of this month, but the fact that it was by YA-KYIM was not revealed until now. The new version will be available as a chaku-uta starting on the 29th, and a CD release will follow on December 3.
The remake has already been on the airwaves since the start of this month, but the fact that it was by YA-KYIM was not revealed until now. The new version will be available as a chaku-uta starting on the 29th, and a CD release will follow on December 3.
