1982
March |
Akina travelled to Warner Pioneer Headquarter in Los Angeles and stayed for 1 week to record her debut single Slow Motion.
That was her first time travelling overseas and taking a plane. At the age of 17, Akina was facing every new challenge ahead!
Picture : studio scene |
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| 1982.05.01 |
Debut single Slow Motion was released. 420,000 copies were sold.
Although it only reached no. 30 but it stayed on top 100 of Oricon single chart for 39 weeks. It was good result for a new talent.
Picture : Debut single SLOW MOTION EP cover |
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| 1982.05.05 |
Akina's first mini concert was held at Toshimaen in Tokyo despite heavy rain during the show!. That was her virgin public appearance after debut and
touching moment for 17-year-old Akina who never thought that she would perform in front of enthusiastic fans.
Picture : First mini concert in Toshimaen |
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| 1982.07.01 |
The first album PROLOGUE was released. 400,000 copies were sold and reached no. 7 on Oricon album chart.
Picture : 1st album PROLOGUE LP cover |
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| 1982.07.28 |
The second single SHOJO A was released but it was nearly decided to be banned because of the lyrics which described a bad girl motorcyclist.
It's was the first single entered to the top 10 on the chart and reached no. 5. It was also Akina's first appearance in the famous TV program at that time, THE BEST 10.
Akina gained more and more exposure and popularity.
Picture : 2nd single SHOJO A EP cover |
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| 1982.11.10 |
The third single SECOND LOVE was released and became the big hit in the JPOP scene. It was Akina's first single which reached no. 1 on many different charts. It was also her best selling single ever in her career (990.000 copies were sold).
Akina was on the way to stardom and received many singing awards afterwards.
Picture : 3rd single SECOND LOVE EP cover |
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| 1983.12.31 |
Appeared in Kouhaku Utagassen for the first time and performed KINKU
Picture : performing KINKU in Kouhaku Utagassen 1983 |
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| 1985.01.26 |
Akina's first film AITABIDACHI starred with Kondo Masahiko (Matchy), her boyfriend.
Picture : with boyfriend Matchy in AITABIDACHI |
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| 1985.12.31 |
Akina was the youngest artist winning the most prestigeous Taisho with her Meu amor é
Picture : Warner Pioneer produced 1,985 copies of Gold Disc for lucky winners to commemorate Akina's winning record taisho in 1985 |
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| 1986.12.31 |
Akina was the youngest artist winning Taisho for 2 consecutive years. DESIRE ~Jounetsu~ was awarded Taisho in 1986
Picture : a typical kimono-like costume for DESIRE attracted many fans nationwide! |
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| 1987.09.30 |
Single NANPASEN was released. It was composed by Tokiko Kato and taylor-made for Akina who was suffering from unhappy relationship with her boyfriend, Kondo.
It is a sad song about separation and since then Akina's relationship with her boyfriend was said to be worsened. Her weight dropped drastically in 1988 to 1989.
Picture : Akina always look melancholic when performing NANPASEN. |
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| 1989.07.11 |
That day was really a shock for all Akina's fans when we heard the news that Akina committed suicide in her boyfriend's apartment.
Akina was rushed to the hospital.
Picture : crowds in front of the hospital after they learned about the news. |
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| 1989.12.31 |
Akina and Matchy held a press conference on the new year's eve to clarify the "suicide" news to the public.
Picture : Akina arrived at the press conference in a hotel in centre Tokyo. |
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