Frank Nagai (フランク永井; March 18, 1932 – October 27, 2008) was a Japanese singer. Known for his attractive baritone voice. His real name was Kiyoto Nagai (永井清人 ''Nagai Kiyoto''). Yurakucho de Aimasho vinyl

Life

Frank Nagai was born in

Matsuyama, Miyagi was a town located in Shida District, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. In 2003, the town had an estimated population of 6,988 and a population density Population density (in agriculture: Stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is ...

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

. He had his major debut in 1954 when he was discovered by composer

Tadashi Yoshida Tadashi (Kanji: 正, 禎, 忠, 荘, 匡史 Hiragana: ただし), Japanese masculine name, may refer to : *, the first aikido master to live and teach in the west *, Japanese manga story writer, novelist and screenwriter *, Japanese basketball coach ...

(吉田正). He had many hit songs such as ''Yurakucho de Aimasho'', '' Tokyo Night Club'', ''Kimi Koishi'', and ''Omae ni''. He also appeared in motion pictures, including the film ''Nishi Ginza Eki Mae'' (1958), for which he sang the title song. He enjoyed immense popularity as a singer in Japan. He is credited with discovering female singer Kazuko Matsuo (松尾和子), who later became quite famous. The two often sang duets together. He attempted

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and s ...

on October 21, 1985, attempting to hang himself, distressed that his lover bore his illegitimate child. He survived, but was left with permanent brain damage.

Notable songs

* （有楽町で逢いましょう Yūrakuchō de Aimashō） lit. ''Lovers in Yurakucho'' a.k.a. ''Let's Meet in Yurakuchô'' (1957) * '' Nishi Ginza Station square'' （西銀座駅前 Nishi-ginza ekimae） (1958) * ''Tokyo of 3:00AM'' （東京午前三時 Tokyo Gozen Sanji） (1958) * '' Tokyo Night Club'' （東京ナイト・クラブ Tokyo Night Club） (1959) * ''I yearn for you'' （君恋し Kimi Koishi） (1961) * ''For you''（おまえに Omae Ni） (1972) * '' Kiriko's Tango'' （霧子のタンゴ Kiriko no Tango）(1962) * Osaka Roman（大阪ろまん）(1966) *

Sixteen Tons "Sixteen Tons" is a song written by Merle Travis about a coal miner, based on life in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Travis first recorded the song at the Radio Recorders Studio B in Hollywood, California, on August 8, 1946. Cliff ...

(cover song)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nagai, Frank 1932 births 2008 deaths 20th-century Japanese male singers 20th-century Japanese singers Enka singers Japanese jazz singers Deaths from leukemia Deaths from cancer in Japan People from Ōsaki, Miyagi Musicians from Miyagi Prefecture Male jazz musicians People with severe brain damage