Kyu Sakamoto
Japanese singer and actor, 'Ue o Muite Arukou'

Born
December 10th, 1941
83 years ago
Died
August 12th, 1985
39 years ago — 43 years old
Category
Performers & Entertainers
Country
Japan
Links & References
Born in 1941, Sakamoto gained wide popularity as a singer and actor in Japan. His single 'Ue o Muite Arukou,' released in 1961, achieved international success, topping charts in several countries. The song's English version, titled 'Sukiyaki,' became a global hit and was notably the first Japanese song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Sakamoto also pursued an acting career, starring in various films and television shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His contributions to music and entertainment left a lasting legacy in Japanese pop culture.
Released the international hit 'Ue o Muite Arukou'
First Japanese song to top the Billboard Hot 100
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