Ryuichi Kawamura

is a Japanese singer, songwriter, record producer, actor and author. He is best known as lead singer of the rock band Luna Sea since 1989. He started a solo career in 1997, three years before Luna Sea disbanded in 2000. In 2005, Kawamura formed Tourbillon with fellow Luna Sea member Inoran and Hiroaki Hayama. He rejoined Luna Sea when they reunited in August 2010.

Kawamura's first full-length album ''Love'' topped the Oricon chart with sales of around 1,021,000 copies, making him the only male solo artist to have an album sell over one million copies within its initial week in Oricon charts history. That same album sold over 3,200,000 copies by the end of the year, therefore it holds the record for best-selling male solo album. In 1997 alone, with his mini and full-length albums and four singles (of which "Glass" sold over one million itself), he sold over six million records.

Career

1986–2000: Luna Sea, solo debut

Ryuichi Kawamura started his musical career as vocalist of the bands Cradle and Slaughter, while still in high school, under the name Rayla. On May 6, 1989, he was invited by Inoran to join their band Lunacy. In 1991, hide of X Japan found them on the indie circuit and eventually got them signed to X Japan co-founder Yoshiki's Extasy Records, where they changed their name to Luna Sea. They went on to become very successful, having sold more than 10 million certified units in Japan, and are considered one of the most influential bands in the visual kei movement. Ryuichi provided vocals for the B-side version of hide's 1994 song " Scanner". During Luna Sea's temporary break in 1997, Ryuichi started his solo career. Going by his full name, Ryuichi Kawamura, he changed his vocals and music from the powerful rock sound to more of a pop idol sound. That year, he released four singles, one mini-album and his first full-length album, ''Love''. The album includes his cover version of the song "Namida Iro", which was formerly sung by Japanese female singer Noriko Sakai with his songwriting. ''Love'' topped the Japanese Oricon charts with sales of around 1,021,000 copies, making him the only solo male artist ever to have an album sell over one million copies within its initial week of release in Oricon charts history. In total, ''Love'' sold over 2,788,000 copies. Kawamura later started his own production house titled RK, and in 1999, he went on to produce many artists including Azumaya Toga, Hideki and Izam.

Luna Sea disbanded at the end of 2000. ''Billboard'' later quoted music critic Hiromichi Ugaya as saying that the band broke up due to conflict between Kawamura and the other members. That same year, Kawamura started his first solo tour and created a subsidiary of RK intended for the production of film music. Shortly after, he composed music for the film ''So Faraway''. In mid-2001, his fan-club RKF (Ryuichi Kawamura Family) opened. Later, Ryuichi released the singles "Shizuka na Yoru wa Futari Iyou" and "Julia". Kawamura started appearing on popular music shows including '' Music Station'' and '' Hey x3''. Following the release of the single "Kimi no Mae de Paino wo Hikou", he landed a role in the film ''Picaresque'' based on the life of Osamu Dazai.

2002–2006: International tour, Tourbillon

His first international solo tour came in 2002 when he performed an exclusive concert in Seoul. When he returned to Japan, there were several meet and greet events at Zepp Fukuoka and Zepp Osaka, where he sold special merchandise (including manga he illustrated and figurines, etc.). Later, Kawamura starred as a lead role in the TV Asahi drama series ''Kowloon de Aimasho'' and also wrote the ending theme "Sugar Lady".

A special photobook was released in 2003 during his new tour. While putting his album and single releases on pause that year, he went on to produce artists such as Memory Cats and Kiyoshi. In 2004, Kawamura released the single "Spoon" and the album ''Vanilla'', followed by a handful of tours. His fellow Luna Sea's bandmate Inoran was also a guest during his New Year's Eve live.

After taking a short vacation in Europe, Kawamura reunited with Inoran and Hiroaki Hayama to announce the formation of their band Tourbillon in 2005. Their first official concert was held at the Nippon Budokan on July 2 and it received good attendance and reviews. The band would release two albums, ''Heaven'' and ''A Tide of New Era'' in 2005 and 2006, respectively. In March 2008, Tourbillon's single "Break the Chain" was used as an opening theme of '' Kamen Rider Kiva''.

2006–2008: 10th Anniversary, ''Chicago'' on Broadway

In 2006, Kawamura released his first cover album, titled ''Evergreen ~Anata no Wasuremono~''. He covered songs by artists such as Yutaka Ozaki and Akiko Kobayashi, as well as Luna Sea's "I for You". A year later, he released a second cover album to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his solo career. The covered songs included his original solo works and songs by other classic Japanese artists, such as Dead End, Kenji Sawada, Tetsurō Oda, and Dreams Come True.

On December 24, 2007, Kawamura reunited with Luna Sea for the concert God Bless You ~One Night Dejavu~ at the Tokyo Dome. The band played again at the hide memorial summit on May 4, 2008 along with X Japan, T.M.Revolution, Versailles and others.

On February 3, 2008, Kawamura held a special concert at the Nippon Budokan titled Yuki no Budokan ~70 Stories~ sponsored by Sports Nippon. The show celebrated the 10th anniversary of his solo career where he performed half of every song recorded from each of his six original albums, amounting to a 70-song set. Inoran also appeared to perform with Kawamura during the concert, which lasted four and a half hours. Ryuichi also sang the Japanese National Anthem for the occasional sporting event, including the 7th Grand Prix D1 series and one of the J-League's Kashima Antlers soccer game in March 2008.

In October 2008, Kawamura co-starred in the Broadway musical ''Chicago'', along with Takarazuka stars Yoka Wao and Ryoko Yonekura, in which he played the lawyer Billy Flynn. This event marked the first time ever that a Japanese production of a Broadway music has been performed on Broadway.

2009–2010: ''Sora'', Luna Sea reunion

Following an overseas performance in Hong Kong on March 2009, Kawamura released the single "Heroine" on February 4, which was a collaboration with Tetsurō Oda. He then released the album ''Piano'' on April 1, which included the environmental-conservation themed single "Midori no Uta".

In July, Kawamura released a photo book called ''Japanesque''. He went on to perform an international tour in Taiwan in late August. On September 30, 2009, he released the single "Brilliant Stars", including a tie-up song with the jewellery brand GemCeree. With a new contract with Avex Group (after leaving Columbia Music Entertainment), Kawamura performed at the Hard na Yaon 2009 concert that same month along with many other artists from the company.

Following the single "Dakishimete" and the album ''Sora'' in February 2010, he would co-star in the second Broadway musical ''Chicago'' in June. Kawamura also performed the "No Mic, No Speakers Concert #003" tour from August through September, which, as the name suggests, was performed without a microphone or any type of electronic amplification. On August 13 he performed at the Jack in the Box 2010 Summer festival. Also in August, he appeared with the other members of Luna Sea at a press conference in Hong Kong, where they officially announced their reunion and their 20th Anniversary World Tour Reboot -to the New Moon-.

On October 17, Kawamura appeared in a television documentary, broadcast on BS Fuji, called ''Kawamura Ryuichi x Garyuu'', in which he traveled to the famous Angkor Wat. He also participated in South Korean R&B singer Bobby Kim's album ''My Soul'', writing Japanese lyrics for the song "Tsuioku no Kaze".

2011: Breaking the Guinness World Record, Thailand debut

On January 7, Kawamura announced that he would give a special solo concert at the Nippon Budokan on March 13, 2011. At the concert, titled Genkai no Sono Saki e: 100 no Monogatari ~Epilogue~, he would perform a total of 100 songs over a span of more than 6 hours (back in February 2008, at a concert titled Yuki no Budokan ~70 Stories~, he sang 71 songs over a span of 4 hours at the same venue). However, due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on March 11, the concert was postponed. On May 3, he was successful, performing a total of 104 songs within 6 and a half hours and was awarded the Guinness World Record, beating the previous record of 100 songs within 8 hours.

Kawamura and his fellow Luna Sea member Sugizo collaborated with the musical group M.o.v.e to provide a theme song for the movie ''Gakudori''. The song was called "Overtakers", was released on March 9, 2011, and featured Kawamura on vocals and Sugizo on guitar. He also released another cover album, ''The Voice'', on March 9 covering hit songs by western artists, including " How Deep Is Your Love", "Ave Maria", " Amapola" and " Over The Rainbow".

On April 30, Kawamura held a charity concert in Thailand, titled Ryuichi Kawamura Exclusive One Night Only Charity Concert in Bangkok, in which he performed at the Royal Paragon Hall with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and special guest Pod (lead singer from Thai alternative rock band Modern Dog). Part of the proceeds were donated to the victims of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

On May 29, Kawamura and the rest of Luna Sea gave an interview, at the premier of '' Luna Sea 3D in Los Angeles'' at Toho Cinema Roppongi Hills, which was broadcast live on Ustream.tv. They announced a concert at the 30,000-seat Saitama Super Arena titled Luna Sea for Japan A Promise to the Brave on October 22. The profits of the performance went to the Japanese Red Cross to support the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

Kawamura covered "Beauty and the Beast" for the cover album ''V-Rock Disney'', which was released on September 7, 2011 and features visual kei artists covering Disney songs. His own song "Beat" was covered by Zuck on the compilation ''Crush! 2 -90's V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs-'', that was released on November 23, 2011 and features current visual kei bands covering songs from bands that were important to the '90s visual kei movement.

2012–present

In April, Kawamura starred in the '' Legend of Galactic Heroes'' stage play ''Chapter 2: Free Planets Alliance Arc'' as the character Yang Wenli. Between June and July, Ryuichi performed Tour 2012: Close to You to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his solo career. In addition, on August 8, 2012, a fourth cover album titled ''The Voice II'' was released. It includes pop ballads originally sung by female singers and features Masami Tsuchiya and Ryuichi's Tourbillon bandmate Hiroaki Hayama.

Kawamura released two studio albums on July 8, 2020, ''Close to You'' and ''Account of a Dream''. He released another, ''Beautiful Lie'', in January 2021. For this album, musicians such as Yuji Adachi, George (Ladies Room), Hideki ( Siam Shade), Hazuki ( lynch.) and Mao ( Sid) composed songs at Ryuichi's request after he was impressed when most of them supported him live at the Children of the New Age ~Shin Jidai no Kodomodachi e~ charity event he put on in August 2019.

Musical style

Ryuichi Kawamura is best known for his vocal work during his work with Luna Sea. He was inspired both vocally and visually by Morrie, frontman of the influential Japanese metal band Dead End. From the early to mid-90s, his style often included screamed singing during their hard rock songs. It then changed to more traditional pop techniques after starting his solo career. Since 2007, Kawamura has been singing in a more operatic style.

Personal life

Kawamura met Miss Nippon 2002 in spring 2005, and they began dating that autumn. A representative for the couple visited their local ward office in Tokyo and registered their marriage on January 23, 2006. Kumi gave birth to their first child, a son, on June 18, 2009. On January 11, 2019, Kawamura underwent surgery to remove adenocarcinoma of the lung. The cancerous cells were completely removed and he returned to work the following month after a few weeks rest. In February 2022, Kawamura successfully underwent surgery to remove microvascular lesions in his vocal cords.

Kawamura is good friends with his Luna Sea bandmate Inoran. Together, they are avid car racers. Kawamura also likes boxing and surfing, and says that he plans to open a surfing store once he retires from his singing career.

Achievements and awards

* Drama Academy Award - Best Newcomer (Spring 1997)
* Best Japanese Male Singer (1997)
* Oricon - Best Selling Male Solo Album - ''Love'' released in 1997
* Guinness World Record - Solo Artist Who Sings 100 Songs In 8 Hours (May 3, 2011)

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Love'' (November 22, 1997), Oricon Albums Chart Peak Position: 1
** 1998 4# yearly best-selling album with 2,798,170 copies sold
* (December 19, 2001) 5
* ''Vanilla'' (April 7, 2004) 12
* ''Orange'' (June 20, 2007) 18
* ''Piano'' (January 4, 2009) 17
* ''Sora'' (February 24, 2010) 21
* ''Fantasia'' (August 31, 2011) 20
* ''Life'' (September 11, 2013) 16
* ''Magic Hour'' (October 28, 2015) 18
* ''Colors of Time'' (September 28, 2016) 29
* ''Close to You'' (July 8, 2020)
* ''Account of a Dream'' (July 8, 2020)
* ''Beautiful Lie'' (January 27, 2021)

Mini-albums

* ''Cranberry Soda'' (June 21, 1997) 1
** Sold approximately 724,000 copies
* (July 17, 2002) 18
* ''Concept RRR 「Never Fear」'' (October 1, 2014) 18

Compilation albums

* ''Very Best of Songs...'' (September 26, 2002) 8
* ''Dear...'' (March 24, 2004) 53

Cover albums

* (May 24, 2006) 10
* ''Evergreen ~Anniversary Edition~'' (December 5, 2007) 23
* ''The Voice'' (March 9, 2011) 34
* ''The Voice 2'' (August 8, 2012) 40
*

Live albums

* ''Ryuichi Kawamura Billboard Live 2018 Live Direct CD'' (May 16, 2018)

Singles

* "I Love You/Cielo" (February 21, 1997), Oricon Singles Chart Peak Position: 4
** 25# yearly best-selling single with 753,640 copies sold
* "Glass" (April 23, 1997) 2
** 15# yearly best-selling single with 1,011,350 copies sold
* "Beat" (July 18, 1997) 4
** 21# yearly best-selling single with 778,470 copies sold
* "Love is..." (October 15, 1997) 4
** 44# yearly best-selling single with 617,940 copies sold
* "Ne" (April 25, 2001) 5
* (June 21, 2001) 6
* (August 22, 2001) 6
* (October 24, 2001) 9
* (November 21, 2001) 18
* "Sugar Lady" (April 24, 2002) 12
* "F114B" (March 3, 2004, fan club only)
* "Spoon/Missing You" (March 3, 2004) 9
* (April 18, 2007) 15
* "Once Again" (October 31, 2007) 27
* (February 4, 2009) 15
* "Brilliant Stars" (September 30, 2009) 9
* (January 20, 2010) 17
* "Yo ga Yonara..." (July 20, 2011) 29
* (May 29, 2013) 26
**Ending theme of ''Hakui no Namida''

Home videos

* ''Time of Legend 1997~2002'' (2002), Oricon DVDs Chart Peak Position: 20
* ''F120A'' (2003, fan club only)
* (May 16, 2008, fan club only)
* ''Ryuichi Kawamura x Garyu -Dai Issho Hibiki-'' (December 15, 2010)
* ''Ryuichi Kawamura x Garyu -Dai Issho Private-'' (December 15, 2010)
* (May 28, 2011) 138
* (November 2011, fan club only)
* (August 2012, fan club only)

With Luna Sea

Filmography

Movies

* ''Buraikan''
* (2002)

TV dramas

* (1997)
* (1997)
* (2001)
* (2001)
* '' Food Fight Hong Kong Special Edition'' (2001)
* (2013)

Bibliography

* ''Wave -Ryuichi Kawamura-''
* ''1997 Ryuichi Kawamura ~Natural~ (January 30, 1998)
* ''Diamond and Stones''
* ''Ryuichi Kawamura Works "Your Tears are like Silver"'' (poem book)
* ''I Looked up at the Blue Sky'' (picture book)
* ''Deai ~Kono Netsu ga Same Teshimau Mae ni~'' (novel)
* ''Glass Melody'' (novel)
* ''Dakishimete'' (February 10, 2009, novel co-written with Izumi Tadashi)
* ''Voices'' (December 24, 2010, autobiography)

References

External links

Official website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kawamura, Ryuichi
Luna Sea members
Visual kei musicians
Japanese male singer-songwriters
Japanese male pop singers
Japanese male rock singers
Japanese racing drivers
People from Yamato, Kanagawa
Male actors from Kanagawa Prefecture
1970 births
Living people
Avex Group artists
Musicians from Kanagawa Prefecture
World record holders
20th-century Japanese male singers
21st-century Japanese male singers