Maria Anzai

Maria Anzai
Born(1953-12-16)December 16, 1953
Tokyo, Japan
DiedMarch 15, 2014(2014-03-15) (aged 60)
Tokyo, Japan
Occupations

Maria Anzai (安西 マリア, Anzai Maria, b. Mariko Shibasaki on December 16, 1953 - d. March 15, 2014) was a Japanese idol.

Biography

Maria Anzai made her debut in 1973 with a Japanese language version of "Namida no Taiyō",[1] originally performed in English by Japanese singer Emy Jackson.[2] The single sold over 500,000 copies.[2][3] That same year she was nominated for Best Newcomer of the Year at the 15th Japan Record Awards,[2][3][4] but was beaten by Junko Sakurada. She has also acted in movies and television series.[3]

She retired from show business in 1978, married and emigrated to Hawaii.[3] She released 12 singles between 1973 and 1978 and 4 albums.

She made a comeback in 2000.[2]

Maria Anzai died on March 15, 2014.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ 舌津, 智之 (2002). どうにもとまらない歌謠曲. Shōbunsha. p. 81.
  2. ^ a b c d "Article on illness of Maria Anzai" (in Japanese).
  3. ^ a b c d e "Article on Maria Anzai at Sponichi Annex" (in Japanese).
  4. ^ a b "Article on death of Maria Anzai on Oricon" (in Japanese). 5 November 2014.