This is the story of Frank Nagai's marriage, the turmoil surrounding his illegitimate child, and his wife, Shizuko, who stayed by his side for 33 years.
He was a singer who sold 500,000 copies of "Let's Meet in Yurakucho" in six months and appeared on the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Contest) for 26 consecutive years. One night in 1985, he collapsed on the stairs of their home. It was his wife, who had never appeared in public, who found him. The scandal, which reported the child was from a mistress, was overturned by DNA testing. Six years of caregiving, the wife reaching her breaking point, and then divorce. Even after signing the papers, she never took off her wedding ring.
[Contents of this video]
A boy from Miyagi – A singer who aspired to be a singer after losing his father and being raised by his mother who worked in a theater.
From a trailer driver at an occupation forces camp to a resident singer at a US military club.
Recommended by Dick Mine, meeting Masashi Yoshida – Switching from jazz to popular songs.
"Let's Meet in Yurakucho" – A song passed on from Koichi Miura, selling 500,000 copies in six months.
Marriage at 27 in 1959 – His wife stayed by his side for 26 years, remaining out of the public eye.
26 consecutive appearances on Kohaku Uta Gassen, and then being dropped in 1983.
Late night on October 21, 1985 – His wife finds him on the stairs.
The scandal involving his mistress's child – Demands for money and the results of a DNA test.
Six years of caregiving, his wife's breaking point, one night in 1991.
Divorce in 1992 – Even after signing the divorce papers, the nameplate reads "Nagai," and the ring is still on his left hand.
"I want to see you" – The only words his wife left behind
The death of Kazuko Matsuo, Masashi Yoshida's favorite saying: "There are so many songs I want her to sing"
His sister's 16 years, the house in Meguro, the Papua New Guinea Embassy
October 27, 2008, age 76 - He continued to hum songs until the very end
The monument in Yurakucho and Keisuke Yamauchi's cover at the 2021 Kohaku Uta Gassen
[Main Reference Materials]
Wikipedia: "Frank Nagai," "Let's Meet in Yurakucho," "Kazuko Matsuo," "Sanshotei Karaku," "To You"
Nikkan Sports (November 2, 2008) Obituary article - Caring for his wife and sister, the Papua New Guinea Embassy
Nikkan Sports (November 4, 2009) Coverage article on the site of his former home in Meguro
Sports Hochi (February 1993) Divorce report - Shizuko's Interview: "I Want to Meet You"
Yoshio Kataoka, "Kayokyoku wo Kikoeru" (Shincho Shinsho, 2011) - A critique of Frank Nagai's singing style
Kazuo Tokumitsu, "Kigakuin Iriyori no Susume" (Recommendation for Free Spirits within Corporations), Nikkei BP, 2005 - Giants fan episodes
Akihito Inui Essay - Reflections on memories of the incident and the authority of Kohaku Uta Gassen
Osaki City Official Website: "Special Meritorious Persons," "Frank Nagai Singing Contest"
Tadashi Yoshida Music Memorial Hall Official Information: "The Journey of Top Star Frank Nagai" Exhibition Record
Victor Entertainment Official Page: "Nostalgic Frank Nagai Singles Complete Collection" (2016 DVD BOX)
*This video is compiled based on publicly available materials, news articles, and testimonies.
#FrankNagai #Let'sMeetInYurakucho #VoicesThatLivedInTheEra #ShowaEraSinger #KohakuUtaGassen
This is the story of Frank Nagai's marriage, the turmoil surrounding his illegitimate child, and his wife, Shizuko, who stayed by his side for 33 years.
He was a singer who sold 500,000 copies of "Let's Meet in Yurakucho" in six months and appeared on the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Contest) for 26 consecutive years. One night in 1985, he collapsed on the stairs of their home. It was his wife, who had never appeared in public, who found him. The scandal, which reported the child was from a mistress, was overturned by DNA testing. Six years of caregiving, the wife reaching her breaking point, and then divorce. Even after signing the papers, she never took off her wedding ring.
[Contents of this video]
A boy from Miyagi – A singer who aspired to be a singer after losing his father and being raised by his mother who worked in a theater.
From a trailer driver at an occupation forces camp to a resident singer at a US military club.
Recommended by Dick Mine, meeting Masashi Yoshida – Switching from jazz to popular songs.
"Let's Meet in Yurakucho" – A song passed on from Koichi Miura, selling 500,000 copies in six months.
Marriage at 27 in 1959 – His wife stayed by his side for 26 years, remaining out of the public eye.
26 consecutive appearances on Kohaku Uta Gassen, and then being dropped in 1983.
Late night on October 21, 1985 – His wife finds him on the stairs.
The scandal involving his mistress's child – Demands for money and the results of a DNA test.
Six years of caregiving, his wife's breaking point, one night in 1991.
Divorce in 1992 – Even after signing the divorce papers, the nameplate reads "Nagai," and the ring is still on his left hand.
"I want to see you" – The only words his wife left behind
The death of Kazuko Matsuo, Masashi Yoshida's favorite saying: "There are so many songs I want her to sing"
His sister's 16 years, the house in Meguro, the Papua New Guinea Embassy
October 27, 2008, age 76 - He continued to hum songs until the very end
The monument in Yurakucho and Keisuke Yamauchi's cover at the 2021 Kohaku Uta Gassen
[Main Reference Materials]
Wikipedia: "Frank Nagai," "Let's Meet in Yurakucho," "Kazuko Matsuo," "Sanshotei Karaku," "To You"
Nikkan Sports (November 2, 2008) Obituary article - Caring for his wife and sister, the Papua New Guinea Embassy
Nikkan Sports (November 4, 2009) Coverage article on the site of his former home in Meguro
Sports Hochi (February 1993) Divorce report - Shizuko's Interview: "I Want to Meet You"
Yoshio Kataoka, "Kayokyoku wo Kikoeru" (Shincho Shinsho, 2011) - A critique of Frank Nagai's singing style
Kazuo Tokumitsu, "Kigakuin Iriyori no Susume" (Recommendation for Free Spirits within Corporations), Nikkei BP, 2005 - Giants fan episodes
Akihito Inui Essay - Reflections on memories of the incident and the authority of Kohaku Uta Gassen
Osaki City Official Website: "Special Meritorious Persons," "Frank Nagai Singing Contest"
Tadashi Yoshida Music Memorial Hall Official Information: "The Journey of Top Star Frank Nagai" Exhibition Record
Victor Entertainment Official Page: "Nostalgic Frank Nagai Singles Complete Collection" (2016 DVD BOX)
*This video is compiled based on publicly available materials, news articles, and testimonies.
#FrankNagai #Let'sMeetInYurakucho #VoicesThatLivedInTheEra #ShowaEraSinger #KohakuUtaGassen