Thu, February 19, 2009 (2:33am EST)
Guitarist Shigeru Suzuki (57) was arrested on Tuesday afternoon for possession of marijuana. His car had been stopped in a no-parking zone, leading a police officer to question him. Suzuki reportedly acted suspiciously, and as a result, the officer decided to search his car, finding about a gram of marijuana in a plastic container (earlier reports said he had 27 grams).
Suzuki admitted that he had bought the drug to smoke it, and he was promptly taken into custody.
Suzuki was a member of the early '70s band Happy End. Known as one of the pioneers of Japanese rock, the group also included Haruomi Hosono (who later formed Yellow Magic Orchestra), Takashi Matsumoto, and Eiichi Ohtaki. After Happy End disbanded in 1972, Suzuki was mainly active as a solo musician.
Due to his arrest, Suzuki's record label, Nippon Crown, has halted shipping of his CDs and other distribution of his music. Meanwhile, Pony Canyon has also decided to stop shipping Happy End CDs.
Suzuki admitted that he had bought the drug to smoke it, and he was promptly taken into custody.
Suzuki was a member of the early '70s band Happy End. Known as one of the pioneers of Japanese rock, the group also included Haruomi Hosono (who later formed Yellow Magic Orchestra), Takashi Matsumoto, and Eiichi Ohtaki. After Happy End disbanded in 1972, Suzuki was mainly active as a solo musician.
Due to his arrest, Suzuki's record label, Nippon Crown, has halted shipping of his CDs and other distribution of his music. Meanwhile, Pony Canyon has also decided to stop shipping Happy End CDs.
Thu, February 19, 2009 (1:53am EST)
Actress Meisa Kuroki has been chosen to star in the play "Onna Nobunaga," based on the book of the same name by Naoki Prize-winning author Kenichi Sato. The story, set during the Sengoku period, is based on the premise that Oda Nobunaga was actually female. Kuroki will of course play the role of Nobunaga.
Kuroki will be supported by singer and musical actor Akinori Nakagawa, playing the role of the samurai Akechi Mitsuhide. Nakagawa is a rising talent in the world of stage musicals, having earned multiple awards since starring in "Mozart!" in 2002.
"Onna Nobunaga" will be performed at Tokyo's Aoyama Theatre on June 5-21, followed by shows in Osaka at Theater BRAVA! on June 26-28.
Kuroki will be supported by singer and musical actor Akinori Nakagawa, playing the role of the samurai Akechi Mitsuhide. Nakagawa is a rising talent in the world of stage musicals, having earned multiple awards since starring in "Mozart!" in 2002.
"Onna Nobunaga" will be performed at Tokyo's Aoyama Theatre on June 5-21, followed by shows in Osaka at Theater BRAVA! on June 26-28.
Thu, February 19, 2009 (12:38am EST)
Singer-songwriter Angela Aki is handling the theme song for NHK's next morning drama series, "Tsubasa." The tune is titled "Ai no Kisetsu."
NHK has generally turned to well-established artists to provide music for its morning dramas. Past artists include Yumi Matsutoya, Dreams Come True, Kazumasa Oda, and Tatsuro Yamashita.
"Tsubasa," which stars Mikako Tabe, premieres on March 30 and will run through September.
NHK has generally turned to well-established artists to provide music for its morning dramas. Past artists include Yumi Matsutoya, Dreams Come True, Kazumasa Oda, and Tatsuro Yamashita.
"Tsubasa," which stars Mikako Tabe, premieres on March 30 and will run through September.
