Izumi Sakai, the lead singer of pop group Zard died on Sunday. The 40-year old singer/songwriter was an in-patient at the Keio University Hospital in Tokyo. She had been in and out of treatment for cancer since about a year ago. Police are investigating whether it was a suicide, but for now the story is that it was a freak accident. Freak accident indeed. Sakai was taking her daily walk on hospital grounds when she slipped and fell on an emergency staircase, slamming the back of her head and suffering terminal brain injuries.
In the 3 days since the tragedy, record sales for Zard's new compilation album skyrocketed, jumping to #6 on the Oricon music chart from nowhere (=not even top 100).
To pay homage, here's a clip of Sakai performing the band's inspirational 1993 hit, Makenaide ("Don't Give Up.") I think every Japanese person has a memory of using this song to keep his or her spirit up in sad times. I think I remember listening to it when boys didn't like me back in middle school.
If she did commit suicide (Hope not)
That would be ironic to the song.
Such things I tought would only exist in storeis.
Posted by: Dragonfang18 | May 30, 2007 at 06:22 PM
If she did commit suicide (Hope not)
That would be ironic to the song.
Such things I tought would only exist in storeis.
Posted by: Dragonfang18 | May 30, 2007 at 06:23 PM
She didn't have the greatest voice in the world but she had some great songs. She clearly outlasted the typical pop star lifespan. She will be missed.
Posted by: Kuriharu | June 04, 2007 at 08:44 AM