Kyu Sakamoto

World Music Singer

Birthday December 10, 1941

Birth Sign Sagittarius

Birthplace Kawasaki, Japan

DEATH DATE Aug 12, 1985 (43)

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About

Japanese world music singer famous for his songs "Sukiyaki," "Ashitaga Arusa" and "Kokorono Hitomi." His song "Sukiyaki" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1963. 

Before Fame

He joined the Japanese pop-band The Drifters in 1958. 

Trivia

Louis Benjamin, an executive of  Pye Records, traveled to Japan in 1963, heard his song "Ue o Muite Arukō," and decided to distribute it in England under the title "Sukiyaki."

Family Life

His father, Hiroshi Sakamoto, was a cargo tender officer. He had eight older siblings. In 1971, he married Yukiko Kashiwagi.

Associated With

Selena Quintanilla covered one of his songs on her debut album.