, known professionally as Yuki (stylized as YUKI), is a Japanese singer. She is best known as the lead vocalist for
Judy and Mary. She founded Judy and Mary in 1991 and became a solo artist in 2002. She has also been a member of the bands
NiNa (1999, with
Kate Pierson of
the B-52's
The B-52s, originally presented as the B-52's (with an errant apostrophe; used until 2008), are an American band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. The original lineup consisted of Fred Schneider (vocals, percussion), Kate Pierson (vocals, k ...
, bassist
Mick Karn
Andonis Michaelides (Greek: Αντώνης Μιχαηλίδης; 24 July 1958 – 4 January 2011), better known as Mick Karn, was a British musician who rose to fame as the bassist for the art rock/ new wave band Japan. His distinctive fretles ...
of
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
, former members of the Japanese New Wave band the
Plastics
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. Their defining characteristic, plasticity, allows them to be molded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms. This adaptab ...
Masahide Sakuma and Takemi Shima, and session drummer
Steven Wolf
Steven Wolf (aka Wolf) is an American drummer, programmer, songwriter and music producer. His discography several numerous gold, platinum, and Grammy winning records. He has worked with a range of artists including Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, B ...
) and
Mean Machine (alongside
Chara, 2001).
Biography
Yuki was born in
Hakodate, Hokkaido
is a city and port located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture. As of January 31, 2024, the city had an estimated population of 239,813 with 138,807 households, and a population density of . Th ...
. After graduating from
Hakodate Otani College, she worked as a beautician. She met Yoshihito Onda who visited
Hakodate
is a Cities of Japan, city and seaports of Japan, port located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture. As of January 31, 2024, the city had an estimated population of 239,813 with 138,807 househol ...
to make a movie, ''
The Triple Cross''. The meeting triggered the formation of Judy and Mary in 1992. After Judy and Mary disbanded, Yuki made her solo debut in 2002. She married Magokoro Brothers frontman Yoichi Kuramochi in September 2000, and gave birth to her first child, a boy, on April 18, 2003. However, the child died from unknown causes (
SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), sometimes known as cot death or crib death, is the sudden unexplained death of a child of less than one year of age. Diagnosis requires that the death remain unexplained even after a thorough autopsy and ...
) on March 17, 2005. She gave birth to a second child on August 29, 2006, and a third child in June 2009.
Backup band
Band Astro
They perform in her tour or recording.
* Guitar: Jun Matsue (Spoozys)
* Drums: Atsushi Matsushita (
Zazen Boys)
* Bass: Hiroharu Kinoshita (ex.
L⇔R, curve509)
* All keyboard instruments:
Makoto Minagawa (ex
Shiina Ringo
, known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer, songwriter and musician. She is also the founder and lead vocalist of the band Tokyo Jihen.
She describes herself as "". She was ranked number 36 in a list of Japan's top 100 musicians compiled ...
)
* DJ /
manipulator: Yohei Tsukasaki
The Urah
They performed in her tour or recording in 2010.
* All keyboard instruments:
Kiyohide Ura (ex
Diamond Head)
* Guitar:
Tsuneo Imahori
* Guitar: Akihito "Akkin" Suzuki (ex. Heart Bazaar, ex Shiina Ringo, ex
Kaela Kimura
, is a Japanese pop rock singer, lyricist, fashion model and television presenter.
Career
Born in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan to a Japanese mother and British father, Kimura started working as a model in 2002 for the Japanese magazine '' Seventeen''. ...
)
* Bass:
Kenji Ueda
Kenji Ueda (上田ケンジ ''Ueda Kenji'', nickname ウエケン ''UEKEN'') is a Japanese rock musician and producer. He is known for his solo work, as well as his work with Kenzi & The Trips and The Pillows. Biography Early life and influence ...
(ex.
The Pillows)
* Drums: Tsuyoshi Miyagawa
Discography
Original albums
Other albums
Singles
As lead artist
*charted on monthly Chaku-uta Reco-kyō Chart
†Japan Hot 100 established February 2008, RIAJ Digital Track Chart established April 2009
As featured artist
DVDs
* (March 2, 2005)
* ''Sweet Home Rock'n Roll Tour'' (March 2, 2005)
* (January 25, 2006)
* (March 19, 2008)
* ''Yuki Live "5-star": The Gift Will Suddenly Arrive'' (May 28, 2008)
* ''Yuki concert New Rhythm Tour 2008'' (March 4, 2009)
Books
* Yuki Girly Rock – Yuki biography (1997)
* Yuki Girly Swing – Yuki autobiography & diary (1997)
* Yuki Girly Folk – Yuki biography (2000)
* Yuki Girly Boogie – Yuki autobiography & diary (2000)
* Yuki Girly Wave – Yuki biography (2004)
* Yuki Girly Tree – Yuki autobiography & diary (2004)
Appearances
Movies
* – cameo appearance
Radio
*''Yuki: Hello! New World'' (2017–present)
References
Further reading
*
*
*
*
*
External links
*
YUKI Official Website– By
Sony Music
Sony Music Entertainment (SME), commonly known as Sony Music, is an American multinational music company owned by Japanese conglomerate Sony Group Corporation. It is the recording division of Sony Music Group, with the other half being the ...
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yuki
1972 births
Living people
Japanese women singer-songwriters
Japanese women pop singers
Mean Machine (band) members
Musicians from Hokkaido
People from Hakodate
Epic Records Japan artists
20th-century Japanese women singers
20th-century Japanese singers
21st-century Japanese women singers
21st-century Japanese singers