Biography
Who is Mariya Takeuchi?
Early life and education
Mariya Takeuchi was born in Izumo, Shimane, Japan on March 20, 1955. She grew up in a family that operated a traditional inn called Takenoya, which was founded by her great-grandfather in 1877. Her household frequently played records from around the world, helping her develop an early interest in music. By the time she reached the third grade, she had already learned to play both the piano and the guitar.
As a high school student, she spent time living in Rock Falls, Illinois, United States, as an exchange student through AFS Intercultural Programs. After returning to Japan, she enrolled at Keio University in 1974 to study English literature. During her university years, she joined the music club, which eventually led her to participate in recording sessions and start her professional music career.
Career and major hits
Mariya Takeuchi signed with RCA Records in 1978 and released her debut single along with her first studio album titled Beginning. Her early singles such as September and Fushigi na Peach Pie achieved commercial success on the charts. She won several best new artist awards in 1979 from organizations including the Japan Record Awards and the Tokyo Music Festival. After releasing five albums under RCA, she took a temporary hiatus from performing in late 1981.
She returned to the music industry in 1984 by signing with Moon Records and releasing her sixth studio album, Variety. The album included her famous song Plastic Love, which later gained big international popularity as a sleeper hit in the twenty-first century. Over her career, she has released numerous studio albums and compilation records, with many of them reaching the number one spot on the Japanese Oricon charts.
Songwriting and other projects
Aside from performing her own music, Mariya Takeuchi has written many songs for other well-known Japanese artists and idols. Some of the performers who recorded her compositions include Naoko Kawai, Yukiko Okada, and Akina Nakamori. Her songwriting contributions frequently achieved top positions on the music charts in Japan.
In addition to her solo work and songwriting, she formed a musical duo named Peach & Apricot alongside fellow singer Anri in 2021. The duo released their first collaborative song titled Watching Over You in November of that year. Outside of the recording studio, she also managed her family inn business starting in 2018.
Marriage and family
Mariya Takeuchi married fellow Japanese singer and songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita in April 1982. Her husband also contributed to several of her early musical recordings as a producer and instrumentalist. The couple has one daughter together. They have maintained a long personal and professional partnership within the Japanese music industry.
Birthday and age
Mariya Takeuchi was born on March 20, 1955, which makes Mariya 71 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Mariya shares the date with 65 other famous people.
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