Retro Idols: Then and Now
Teen pop stars in Japan can be traced back to even before World War 2 but it's not until 1970 that they were seen as a unique category of entertainer and the media started to use the term "idol" (アイドル, aidoru) to label them. 1970s started the idol pop culture in Japan, then came the 1980s, the "idol golden age". Countless teenagers dreamed to become an "idol", several hundred made it and debuted as idols with varying success (probably only around 50-60 of them managed to make it big). There were so many idols in the past. Time flies, decades have passed since then. So what do they look like now? ૮ • ﻌ - ა
P.S:
* Some of them are still active as celebrities but some of them have retired since long ago that there's no information about them now. I'll try to find their most recent video / picture as much as I can but for ex-idols who have long retired, their most "recent" video / photo might not be that recent, but at least we're already lucky to be able to find them at all.
* More than 90% of people listed here were "idols" but I also add a few non-idol singers just because I like them, or they simply "looked like idol" and/or still related to idol somehow even though they were not considered as "idols". I'll make sure to mention which one of them that are non-idol singers.
* I'll add their birthdates so you can count how old they were in each videos
Kato Hideo, simply called "Hide", born: December 15, 1942, died: June 17, 1990
Rosanna Zambon, born: July 3, 1950
They formed a duo in 1967, but in 1975, from just duet partner, they became husband and wife.
Hide & Rosanna, 1968
Rosanna singing with CGI of her late husband / duet partner, 2017
* they were not considered as "idol" singers
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, Italian
Okazaki Yuki, born: July 31, 1953.
1972:
2023:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Amachi Mari, born: November 5, 1951
1972:
2020:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Minami Saori, born: July 2, 1954
1972:
2011:
https://bbs.javaws.com/data/attachment/forum/201709/29/201907o3j358t5pku...
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Asaoka Megumi, born: October 11, 1955
1972:
2023:
2024:
^ (29:12)
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Asada Miyoko, born: February 15, 1956
1973:
2020:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Abe Shizue, born: November 28, 1951
1974:
2024:
*Abe Shizue might or might not be considered as "idol"
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop-Folk
Language: Japanese
Agnes Chan, born: August 20, 1955
1972:
2023:
Country: Hong Kong
Genres: Folk, Pop
Languages: Japanese, Chinese (Cantonese), English, Chinese
Ota Hiromi, born: January 20, 1955
1975:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Yamaguchi Momoe, born: January 17, 1959
1976:
1978:
1981 - 2021
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Sakurada Junko, born: April 14, 1958
1975:
2018:
https://www.dailyshincho.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/1809110559_1-714...
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Iwasaki Hiromi, born: November 12, 1958
1977:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
members:
- Ito Ran (Ran), born: January 13, 1955
- Fujimura Miki (Miki), born: January 15, 1956
- Tanaka Yoshiko (Sue), born: April 8, 1956, died: April 21, 2011
1976:
Sue died in 2011. Miki has retired since 1983 and last seen in public in 2011 when she attended Sue's funeral. Ito Ran is the only one who's still very active in entertainment.
Ito Ran, 2023
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
members:
- Nemoto Mitsuyo (Mie), born: March 9, 1958
- Masuda Keiko (Kei), born: September 2, 1957
1977:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genres: Disco, Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Okada Nana, born: February 12, 1959
1976:
2019:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Takada Mizue, born: June 23, 1960
1977:
2015:
Country: Japan
Genres: Folk, Pop
Language: Japanese
Sakakibara Ikue, born: May 8, 1959
1978:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Oba Kumiko, born: January 6, 1960
1977:
1978:
2016:
2021:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Ishikawa Hitomi, born: September 20, 1959
1981:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Ishino Mako, born: January 31, 1961
1980:
2019:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Matsuda Seiko, born: March 10, 1962
1982:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, French
Nakamori Akina, born: July 13, 1965
1984:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English, Spanish
Kawai Naoko, born: July 24, 1963
1981:
2010:
https://cdn.snsimg.carview.co.jp/minkara/userstorage/000/051/650/547/4ff...
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Kashiwabara Yoshie, born: October 1, 1965
1981:
2022:
2024:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Mihara Junko, born: September 13, 1964
1980:
2024:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Iwasaki Yoshimi, born: June 15, 1961
1981:
1985:
2021:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genres: Anime, Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Yakushimaru Hiroko, born: June 9, 1964
1984:
2020:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Ito Tsukasa, born: February 21, 1967
1981:
2023:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Koizumi Kyoko, nickname: Kyon2, born: February 4, 1966
1985:
2022:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese
Matsumoto Iyo, born: June 21, 1965
1981:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Hayami Yuu, born: September 2, 1966
1983:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genres: Pop, Pop-Rock
Languages: Japanese, English
Hori Chiemi, born: February 15, 1967
1983:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Ishikawa Hidemi, born: July 13, 1966
1985:
2010:
2024:
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2024/02/26/jpeg/20240227s0...
^ left
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Harada Tomoyo, born: November 28, 1967
1983:
2017:
2023:
2024:
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, English, French
Warabe members:
-Takabe Tomoko, born: August 25, 1967
-Kurasawa Atsumi, born: April 20, 1967
-Takahashi Mami, born: September 20, 1967
1982:
2016:
^ left: Kurasawa Atsumi, right: Takahashi Mami
Takabe Tomoko in 2021:
https://mainichi.jp/articles/20210702/k00/00m/040/438000c
Kurasawa Atsumi with her daughter, 2023
Takahashi Mami in 2018
https://smart-flash.jp/entame/39035/1/1/
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Tomita Yasuko, born: February 27, 1969
1983:
1985:
2024:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Oginome Yoko, born: December 10, 1968
1986:
202?
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Kikuchi Momoko, born: May 4, 1968
1985:
2014:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Okada Yukiko, born: August 22, 1967, died: April 8, 1986
1984:
1986, her last appeareance on TV
^ 4 days before her death
April 8, 2024, her 38th death anniversary
^ decades have passed, her fans still gather to pray every year. Okada Yukiko is still remembered and loved by a lot of people.
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Nagayama Yoko, January 13, 1968
1986:
1993:
2023:
2024(?)
Country: Japan
Genres: Enka, Folk, Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Rebecca members:
- Nokko (born: November 4, 1963), real name: Yamada Nobuko, vocal
- Dobashi Akio (born: September 19, 1960), current leader, keyboard
- Takahashi Noriyuki (born: December 10, 1959), bass
- Odawara Yutaka (born: February 6, 1963), drum
1985:
2015, with the full crews of Rebecca
2024, just Nokko, the vocalist
*they were a band, not "idol".
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop-Rock
Language: Japanese
Nakayama Miho, born: March 1, 1970
1988:
1992:
2023 - 2024:
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, English, Spanish
Kudo Shizuka, born: April 14, 1970
1989:
1993:
2023 - 2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Saito Yuki, born: September 10, 1966
1985:
2023:
2024:
Minamino Yoko, nickname: Nanno, born: June 23, 1967
1988:
2023:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Asaka Yui, born: December 4, 1969
1988:
2023:
2024:
Honda Minako, born: July 31, 1967, died: November 6, 2005
1986:
2005, her last public appearance
Honda Minako Museum, 2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
The members birth years range from 1965-1971.
1985:
2010:
2018:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Kawai Sonoko, born: June 20, 1965
1986:
2010:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Kokusho Sayuri, born: December 22, 1966
1986:
2021:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Nitta Eri, born: March 17, 1968
1986:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Takai Mamiko, born: December 28, 1966
1986:
2013:
https://twitter.com/toshi01951/status/341882126301532160
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Iwai Yukiko, nickname: Yuuyu, born: May 26, 1968
1987:
2015:
http://up.gc-img.net/post_img_web/2015/10/3e9e25b71ad89acbcb558901bbf33d...
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Kazuko Utsumi, born: February 16, 1967
1986:
2016:
2024:
https://ameblo.jp/kazukoutsumi/image-12848576222-15427351278.html
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Jounouchi Sanae, born: May 17, 1968
1986:
2022:
Country: Japan
Genre: Folk
Language: Japanese
Watanabe Minayo, born: September 28, 1969
1987:
2023:
2024:
^ Minayo and her son
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Watanabe Marina, born: November 18, 1970
1986:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Nishimura Tomomi, born: December 17, 1970
1986:
2017:
2021:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Sakai Noriko, born: February 14, 1971
1987:
1995:
2023:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, Chinese
Goto Kumiko, born: March 26, 1974
1988:
2020:
Princess Princess members:
- Okui Kaori, born: February 17, 1967, vocal
- Nakayama Kanako, born: November 2, 1964, guitar
- Watanabe Atsuko, born: October 26, 1964, bass
- Konno Tomoko, born: July 15, 1965, keyboard
- Tomita Kyoko, born: June 2, 1965, drum
1989:
2021:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop-Rock
Language: Japanese
Moritaka Chisato, born: April 11, 1969
1989:
1992:
2020:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genres: Pop, Singer-songwriter
Language: Japanese
Wink members:
- Suzuki Sachiko, born: February 22, 1969
- Aida Shoko, born: February 23, 1970
1988:
1989:
2008:
2018:
Suzuki Sachiko, 2020
^ (0:22)
Aida Shoko, 2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Electropop
Languages: Japanese, English
Moriguchi Hiroko, born: June 13, 1968
1991:
202?:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genres: Classical, Pop
Language: Japanese
Nishida Hikaru, born: August 16, 1972
1989:
1994:
2016:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Miyazawa Rie, born: April 6, 1973
1989:
1990:
2024:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
CoCo members:
- Miyamae Maki, born: January 16, 1973
- Haneda Erika, born: March 7, 1973
- Ono Mikiyo , born: June 17, 1974
- Miura Rieko, born: September 1, 1973
- Senou Azusa, born: April 3, 1973
1989:
Miyamae Maki, 2024:
Haneda Erika, 2021:
Miura Rieko, 2019
Country: Japan
Genres: New Wave, Pop
Language: Japanese
Takahashi Yumiko, born: January 7, 1974
1990:
1994:
2023:
Country: Japan
Genres: Anime, Pop
Language: Japanese
Mi-Ke members:
- Utoku Keiko, born: April 7, 1967
- Murakami Haruka, born: December 3, 1969
- Watanabe Mami, born September 22, 1969
1991:
Utoku Keiko, 2023-2024
Murakami Haruka, 2019
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D9EhHowUYAEfard?format=jpg&name=large
^ left
Watanabe Mami (*has changed her stage name into Mamiya Momo), 2023
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, English
Sakai Izumi, born: February 6, 1967, died: May 27, 2007
1993
ZARD 30th anniversary concert, 2021
February 6, 2024 supposed to be Sakai Izumi 57th birthday if she was still alive
^ Fans sent her flowers, greetings, messages and prayers on social media. Sakai Izumi may have passed but she is still remembered and loved by her fans.
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop-Rock
Languages: Japanese, English
SPEED members:
- Arakaki Hitoe, born: April 7, 1981 (leader)
- Uehara Takako, born: January 14, 1983,
- Imai Eriko, born: September 22, 1983
- Shimabukuro Hiroko, born: April 7, 1984
1996:
2010:
2022:
^ (5:13)
Shimabukuro Hiroko, 2024
Imai Eriko, 2024:
Uehara Takako, 2023
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Tahara Toshihiko, nickname: Toshi-chan, born: February 28, 1961
1983:
2021:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Kondo Masahiko, nickname: Matchy, born: July 19, 1964
1981:
2023:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genres: Hard Rock, Pop
Language: Japanese
Shibugakitai members:
-
-
-
198
202
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
The Checkers members:
- Fujii Fumiya, born:
-
Country: Japan
Genres: Pop-Rock, Rock 'n' Roll
Languages: Japanese, English
Shonentai members:
-
-
-
198
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Hikaru Genji members:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
198
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Iwai Sayuri, born: August 10, 1968
1983:
2022:
https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/photonews/photonews_nsInc_202...
^ right
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Morikawa Miho, born: May 5, 1968
1987:
2023:
^ (09:05)
2024:
Country: Japan
Genres: Anime, Pop
Language: Japanese
Yoshimoto Miyoko, nickname: Micchon, born: March 18, 1969
1986:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Languages: Japanese, English
Onishi Yuka, born: July 6, 1968
1987:
2023:
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Matsumoto Noriko, born: January 30, 1968
1985:
2024:
Country: Japan
Genre: Pop
Language: Japanese
Shimada Nami, born: February 1, 1971
1988:
2024:
Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, English
RetroPanda
Mon, 15/04/2024 - 12:38
RetroPanda
Mon, 22/04/2024 - 12:16
Feedeeri☆ RetroPanda
Sun, 28/04/2024 - 18:24
How did I miss that?! 😝 Poor CoCo became dude. 😅
At least when it's Ito Kimi turn, I shouldn't mistaken her as the voice actress. 😅
RetroPanda
Wed, 01/05/2024 - 18:58
Retro Idols Performing Together in Modern Days
^ Iwasaki Yoshimi and Iwasaki Hiromi
^ Matsumoto Iyo, Hayami Yuu, Asaka Yui, Kokusho Sayuri, 2023
^ Sakai Noriko and Nishimura Tomomi, 2023
^ Nishimura Tomomi, Watanabe Minayo, Hayami Yuu, Matsumoto Iyo
^ Oginome Yoko and Hayami Yuu
^ Hayami Yuu, Matsumoto Iyo, Moriguchi Hiroko
^ Oginome Yoko, Hayami Yuu, Moriguchi Hiroko