Momoe Yamaguchi

is a former Japanese singer, actress, and idol whose career lasted from 1972 to 1980. In that time, she became one of the most notable singers in Japanese music, and an acclaimed actress. She withdrew from the entertainment business at the peak of her career to marry her frequent costar, fellow actor Tomokazu Miura (三浦友和, Miura Tomokazu). Thirty years after her retirement, she still commands public interest with constant inquiries about her coming back.

Biography

Momoe was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1959. Not long after she was born she was left in the care of her maternal grandparents, of whom she has said she has many fond memories. At around 4 years old she was returned to her parents and the family then moved to Yokohama. At an early age her father left, and her mother became a single parent to her two daughters, Momoe and her little sister Toshie. The family moved once again to Yokosuka, where they would stay until Momoe rose to stardom. It is the place she considers home, shown in one of her most popular album tracks "I CAME FROM Yokosuka" (I CAME FROM 横須賀) from her 11th album "Momoe Hakusho" (百恵白書).

At the end of 1972 Momoe appeared on the idol talent search television show "A Star is Born" (スター誕生, sutā tanjō) at the age of 13. She sang the song "Kaiten Mokuba" (回転木馬, meaning "Merry-go-round"),...
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