Kazumasa Oda

Quick Facts: Who was Kazumasa Oda?

Subject:

Kazumasa Oda

Known for:

Acclaimed Japanese singer-songwriter, known for leading the band Off Course and successful solo hits.

Born:

1947-09-20

Century / Era:

1947s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kazumasa Oda (小田 和正, Oda Kazumasa; born September 20, 1947) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, and composer. He was the leader of folk rock band Off Course from 1969 to 1989, and has done solo work since 1985. As the vocalist of Off Course, Oda wrote many Japanese standard numbers in the 1970s and 1980s. The group's most successful singles—"Sayonara" (1979), "Yes-No" (1980), and "Kimi ga Uso o Tsuita" (1984)—were written by Oda. In 1985 he began work as a solo musician.

Career & Major Achievements

He produced many hit singles as singer-songwriter, such as "Little Tokyo" (1989), "Itsuka Dokokade" (1992), "Tsutaetai Koto ga Arunda" (1997) and "Kirakira" (2002). His most successful single was "Love Story wa Totsuzen ni" (1991), the theme song of a Japanese TV drama called Tokyo Love Story. It sold over 2,580,000 copies and became the ninth best-selling single in Japan. Kazumasa Oda and Yasuhiro Suzuki began performing together in 1964 while the two were in Seiko Gakuin Junior High School. In 1969, they formed the band The Off Course, which they later renamed to Off Course.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The pair worked as a duo for their first six albums. Oda primarily played keyboards and Suzuki played guitars, with the two sharing songwriting and vocals. For their seventh album, in 1979, Off Course added three new permanent members and moved to more of a pop/rock sound. Oda and Suzuki continued to provide the vast majority of the songwriting and lead vocals. After five albums as a five-man band, Suzuki left the group in 1982 to pursue a solo career.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1947 (1947-09-20): Birth of Kazumasa Oda — Acclaimed Japanese singer-songwriter, known for leading the band Off Course and successful solo hits.
2. 1964: 1964 Milestone — Kazumasa Oda and Yasuhiro Suzuki began performing together in 1964 while the two were in Seiko Gakuin Junior High School.
3. 1969: 1969 Milestone — He was the leader of folk rock band Off Course from 1969 to 1989, and has done solo work since 1985.
4. 1979: 1979 Milestone — The group's most successful singles—"Sayonara" (1979), "Yes-No" (1980), and "Kimi ga Uso o Tsuita" (1984)—were written by Oda.
5. 1982: 1982 Milestone — After five albums as a five-man band, Suzuki left the group in 1982 to pursue a solo career.
6. 1985: 1985 Milestone — In 1985 he began work as a solo musician.
7. 1989: 1989 Milestone — He produced many hit singles as singer-songwriter, such as "Little Tokyo" (1989), "Itsuka Dokokade" (1992), "Tsutaetai Koto ga Arunda" (1997) and "Kirakira" (2002).
8. 1991: 1991 Milestone — His most successful single was "Love Story wa Totsuzen ni" (1991), the theme song of a Japanese TV drama called Tokyo Love Story.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kazumasa Oda

True or False: “Kazumasa Oda's first major hit single, "Love Story wa Totsuzen ni," was originally intended for a different theme song.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The initial song written was called "Far East Club Band Song," but the producer rejected it, leading him to write the final successful title.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Kazumasa Oda