西城秀樹
Hideki Saijo, Hideki Saijō (西城 秀樹 Saijō Hideki, originally Tatsuo Kimoto (木本 龍雄 Kimoto Tatsuo), born April 13, 1955 - May 16, 2018) was a Japanese singer and television celebrity most famous for singing the Japanese version of the Village People's hit song "Y.M.C.A.", called "Young Man". Although the original version was camp, Saijō's version was intended to seriously inspire "young men".
Saijō's career spans over three decades. He gained popularity again in the 1990s in the cartoon Chibi Maruko-chan and by releasing a cover version of the Enrique Iglesias song "Bailamos". He also sang the theme song and became the character (specially created for the Japanese version — Lucky Mucho) in The Emperor's New Groove and also performed "Turn a Turn", the first opening theme song for ∀ Gundam.
In the late 1990s, he also appeared on an episode of the original Japanese cooking show Iron Chef as a guest judge, for the Rice Battle, involving Iron Chef Japanese Masaharu Morimoto and Chinese chef Masayoshi Kimura.
In 2003, around the time that his 85th single was to be released, he suffered a mild stroke while performing overseas in Korea. After rehabilitation, in 2006, he released his 86th single, "Meguriai". Lyrics were set to André Gagnon's "Comme au Premier Jour".
In 2009, he released a downloadable single, "Vegetable Wonderful" which is tied to the NHK program, Time for Vegetables.
He married for the first time in 2001. With his wife Miki Makihara, he has one daughter and two sons.
His sister was the wife of Masaru Takumi, a powerful Japanese organized crime figure assassinated in 1997.
Saijo died from acute heart failure in Yokohama hospital on May 16, 2018.
Hideki Saijo debuted onto the Japanese music scene on March 25, 1972. Since then, he has been a trail blazer in the Japanese music industry. He was the first Japanese artist to peform as a solo act in a stadium--for ten consecutive years. His fans brought flashlights to the first stadium concert. The following year, penlights were sold at the venue--for the first time! His chart topping hits and unforgettable melodies make his music legendary. Hit songs like, "Jonetsu no Arashi", "Kizudarake no Lola", "Young Man - YMCA", "Galundo", "Bailamos, Tonight we Dance" and many others are still a favorite today!
His illustrious career has spanned over three decades and continues! On Sept. 27, 2006, Hideki released his 86th single, "Meguriai". The original melody was taken from the Canadian Pianst, Andre Gagnon. The hauntingly beautiful melody and the deep, soulful lyrics, it is a perfect song for Hideki--now 51 years old.
A new release isn't newsworthy but in Hideki's case, it is! In June, 2003, Hideki was in Korea, doing a corporate gig when he realized that something was wrong. Somehow, he finished the show but collapsed afterwards. He didn't know it then, butr he had suffered a minor stroke! Immediately after the stroke, he suffered from neuropathy and most importantly, he lost control of his ability to control the notes that he sang. With rehabilitation, his voice returned and he continues his career!
His determination to continue his career, his integrity and passion for music lives on today.
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