Mieko Hirota (弘田三枝子, Hirota Mieko, February 5, 1947 – July 21, 2020) was a Japanese singer. Her nickname was Mico (also spelled Miko).

Mieko Hirota
弘田三枝子
Mieko in 1966
Mieko in 1966
Background information
Birth nameMieko Takenaga
竹永 三枝子
Born(1947-02-05)February 5, 1947
Ikejiri, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, Occupied Japan
DiedJuly 21, 2020(2020-07-21) (aged 73)
GenresPop, jazz, Kayōkyoku, R&B
InstrumentSinging
Years active1961–2020
LabelsEMI Music Japan
Nippon Columbia
King Records

Hirota was born in Setagaya, Tokyo. She grew up listening to pop and jazz in places like Tachikawa, which was frequented by Occupation troops. She made her debut in 1961 at age 14. In 1965, Mico became the first Japanese singer to sing the song "Sunny" on album and the first to appear at the Newport Jazz Festival.

Mico appeared on the NHK New Year's Eve Kōhaku Uta Gassen eight times. Her first performance was in 1962, when she sang the Connie Francis tune "Vacation." NHK tapped her for the next four years in succession, and again in 1969, 1970, and 1971.

She sang the theme song, "Leo no Uta", for the animated television series Kimba the White Lion.

Hirota's commercial career included endorsements for Nescafé, Nippon Oil, Daikin Industries, Fujiya, Renown, and Sapporo Beer.

Hirota died on July 21, 2020, at the age of 73 following a fall.[1] She became one of eight recipients of the Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Japan Record Awards.[2]

Kōhaku Uta Gassen appearances

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Number Year Song Appearance order Opponent Remarks
13 1962 ヴァケーション (Vacation) 3/25 Hisahiko Iida Kōhaku debut, youngest record in Red team (15 years)
14 1963 悲しきハート (Kanashiki Heart, "Sad Heart/Lock Your Heart Away") 1/25 Yasuo Tanabe Grand Top Batter
15 1964 アレキサンダーズ・ラグタイム・バンド (Alexander's Ragtime Band) 16/25 Hitoshi Ueki
16 1965 恋のクンビア (Koi No Cumbia, "Cumbia Of Love") 14/25 Johnnys
18 1967 渚のうわさ (Nagisa No Uwasa, "Rumor In Beach/End Of Summer") 17/23 Satake Barb Returned after 2 years
20 1969 人形の家 (Ningyou No Ie, "The House Of Dolls") 13/23 Yukio Hashi Returned after 2 years, second half top batter
21 1970 ロダンの肖像 (Rodan No Shōzō, "Portrait Of Rodin/Portrait Of Love") 8/24 Kenichi Mikawa
22 1971 バラの革命 (Bara No Kakumei, "Revolution Of Roses/Rose And Blood") 22/25 Akira Fuse

Sources

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This article incorporates material from 弘田三枝子 (Hirota Mieko) in the Japanese Wikipedia, retrieved on February 10, 2008.

  1. ^ "弘田三枝子さんが死去 73歳「ヴァケーション」「夢みるシャンソン人形」など(デイリースポーツ)". Yahoo!ニュース. Archived from the original on 2020-07-27.
  2. ^ Ryusenkai (19 November 2020). "Winners and Nominees for the 62nd Japan Record Awards Announced". Arama! Japan. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
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