Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Mariya Takeuchi

Role / Field:

Japanese singer-songwriter, acclaimed as the "Queen of City Pop"

Born:

1955-03-20

Century / Era:

1955s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Mariya Takeuchi (竹内 まりや, Takeuchi Mariya; born 20 March 1955) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and record producer. Regarded as the "Queen of City Pop", Takeuchi is one of the best-selling music artists in Japan with over 16 million records sold. Internationally, her 1985 song "Plastic Love" became a sleeper hit and the catalyst of the 21st century revival of city pop. Takeuchi was born in Taisha, Hikawa district, now the city of Izumo, Shimane, and attended Keio University.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She signed with RCA in 1978, releasing five albums under the label which appeared on the Oricon Charts, including her chart-topping third effort Love Songs (1980). She terminated her contract with RCA in 1981 and announced a temporary hiatus. In 1982, she married singer and songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita. She signed with Moon Records in 1984, and internationally released her sixth studio album Variety that same year to commercial success. She has since released seven more studio albums and one live album.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

All of her works have continued to appear on the Oricon Charts, and since 2001, each one of her albums have topped it. Takeuchi has stayed with the Moon record label, working with the different branches since signing...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akiko Yano — Contemporary (Born in 1955) (1955): Pioneering Japanese jazz and pop singer known for her eclectic style.
• Akira Toriyama — Contemporary (Born in 1955) (1955): Pioneering manga artist, creator of Dr. Slump and the global phenomenon, Dragon Ball.
• Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud — Contemporary (Born in 1955) (1955): Saudi billionaire, investor, and influential member of the House of Saud.
• Albert, Duke of Prussia — Shared historical date (03-20 · Died) (1568): First secular ruler of the Duchy of Prussia and key figure in early Protestantism.
• Alex Gorsky — Shared historical date (03-20 · Born) (1960): American businessman, former Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson.
• Alain Prost — Historical peer (Born in 1955) (1955): Four-time Formula One World Champion, nicknamed 'The Professor'.
• Albert Einstein — Historical peer (Died in 1955) (1955): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for the theory of relativity and E=mc2.
• Alex Honnold — Historical peer (Born in 1985) (1985): Pioneering free solo climber, famous for conquering El Capitan.
• Alexander Ovechkin — Historical peer (Born in 1985) (1985): Record-setting Russian left winger and captain for the Washington Capitals.
• Adolf Dassler — Historical peer (Died in 1978) (1978): Pioneering German cobbler and inventor who founded the sportswear giant Adidas.
• 1955 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1955
• March 20 (03-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 20

Frequently Asked Questions about Mariya Takeuchi