Kyû Sakamoto nickname(s):
Kyūchan
Kyû Sakamoto date of birth:
November 10, 1941
How old was Kyû Sakamoto when died?
43
Where was Kyû Sakamoto born?
Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
When did Kyû Sakamoto die?
August 12, 1985
What is Kyû Sakamoto's occupation?
singer, songwriter, actor, TV personality
What genre is Kyû Sakamoto's work?
Pop, kayōkyoku, J-pop
What instruments does Kyû Sakamoto play?
vocals, guitar, piano, trumpet
Short Biography
Kyu Sakamoto (坂本 九, Sakamoto Kyū, born Hisashi Oshima (大島 九, Ōshima Hisashi), 10 December 1941 – 12 August 1985) was a Japanese singer and actor, best known outside Japan for his international hit song "Ue o Muite Arukō" (known as "Sukiyaki" in English-speaking markets), which was sung in Japanese and sold over 13 million copies. It reached number one in the United States Billboard Hot 100 in June 1963, making Sakamoto the first Asian recording artist to have a number one song on the chart. Sakamoto died on August 12, 1985, in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123, the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history.