Debut songs by Japanese male artists from the 1970s
We’re showcasing the debut songs of Japanese male artists who started their careers in the 1970s.
From top idol singers like the “New Big Three” — Hideki Saijo, Hiromi Go, and Goro Noguchi — to many others.
It was also an era when the foundation of Japanese music was built, centered around folk songs and New Music.
There are still many singers from that time who remain active today!
Beyond the allure of the era’s backdrop, I think it’s wonderful that their music still feels fresh even now.
Let’s listen to the debut songs of male artists who debuted in the 1970s!
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- Dawn of Japanese Rock: A Collection of Debut Songs by 1970s Japanese Rock Bands
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- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- [1970s] Classic and hit songs of Japanese rock that blazed through the dawn era
- Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1970s: the golden age of idols and kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
- [Japanese Music] A Collection of Heart-Touching Hit Folk Songs from the 1970s
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
Debut songs by Japanese male artists from the 1970s (21–30)
Cape of MemoriesNiinuma Kenji
Kenji Niinuma applied to the Nippon TV audition program “Star Tanjō!” and, after making it to the main round on his fifth preliminary attempt, passed at the 1975 finals.
He made his debut as a singer in 1976 with this song.
His debut catchphrase was “A man who is comfortably sad,” and his pure, down-to-earth personality—hailing from Ōfunato City in Iwate Prefecture—won people’s hearts, leading to a string of consecutive hits.
The Sun’s SundayArakawa Tsutomu
When Tsutomu Arakawa was 13, he sang a Hiromi Go song on an impersonation show, where he was discovered by Tomoko Matsushima.
He made his singing debut with this song in 1974.
In the same year, he won the Newcomer Award at the 16th Japan Record Awards and went on to succeed as an idol singer.
I won’t forgetTakayama Iwao
Iwao Takayama formed the group Banban with Hirofumi Bamba and Hiroshi Imai in 1971, and after leaving the band in 1975, he made his solo debut with this song.
The lyrics and music were written by Takayama himself, and he has since been actively working as a solo singer.
O troubled oneSaitō Tetsuo
Tetsuo Saito is from Konosu City in Saitama Prefecture and graduated from Meiji Gakuin University.
He made his singing debut with this song produced by Yoshio Hayakawa.
About 2,000 copies of the song were pressed, and its highly literary lyrics earned him nicknames such as “the young philosopher” and “the singing philosopher.”
Heartbreak RestaurantShimizu Kentarō
It was released in 1976 as Kentaro Shimizu’s debut single.
The lyrics, composition, and arrangement were handled by Hiro Tsunoda, and it reached No.
1 on the Oricon singles chart.
At the 19th Japan Record Awards, it won the Best New Artist award, and he made his first appearance at the 28th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, where he performed this song.