Junichi Inagaki


Junichi Inagaki is a Japanese popular music singer.

Biography

Inagaki was born and raised in Sendai, the capital of Miyagi Prefecture, and graduated from Miyagi Prefectural Technical High School. One of his earliest musical influences was Stevie Wonder. While a student in middle school, he joined a local band called Faces as a vocalist and drummer. Later, he also performed in bands that entertained United States military personnel stationed in Yokosuka and Tachikawa. Beginning with his commercial debut single "Rainy Regret" in 1982, Inagaki released a series of popular hits.
Inagaki's music became especially well known throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His songs have appeared on several drama programs and numerous commercial advertisements on Japanese television. His 1992 ballad "When The Christmas Carols Play" was featured on the TBS drama series Homework, and remains one of the most popular holiday songs in Japan.
As of 2010, Inagaki continues to tour in Japan, and will perform in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya in June 2010. In a rare performance abroad, he held a private concert in San Francisco sponsored by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California on January 11, 2009.
Inagaki's first wife of more than 30 years died in 2006. He remarried in October 2007 to a woman 10 years his junior, and hosted a wedding reception in Tokyo for family and close friends in March 2008.

Discography

Original studio albums

YearTitleRelease Date
1982246:3AMJuly 21, 1982
1983Shylights
Japan Record Award for one of the 10 Best Albums of 1983
February 1, 1983
1983J.I.September 1, 1983
1984PersonallyMay 19, 1984
1985No StringsMay 1, 1985
1986Realistic
Japan Record Award for Outstanding Album
March 1, 1986
1987Mind NoteMarch 4, 1987
1988Edge of TimeApril 25, 1988
1989Heart & SoulApril 19, 1989
1990Self PortraitApril 4, 1990
1991WillApril 3, 1991
1992Sketch of HeartMay 20, 1992
1993For my DearestMarch 24, 1993
1994Signs of TrustApril 6, 1994
1995J's DimensionJune 14, 1995
1996PrimarySeptember 21, 1996
1997V.O.Z.November 21, 1997
2000My OneJune 21, 2000
2001endless chainNovember 21, 2001
2002Junichi InagakiNovember 21, 2002
2011Just For You... April 20, 2011

Compilation and live albums

YearTitleRelease Date
1983J. LiveDecember 21, 1983
1985CompleteAugust 22, 1985
1985Ballad Selection/P.S. I Want to Give You A Hug September 29, 1986
198816 CandlesDecember 1, 1988
1990New Best Now CompleteSeptember 27, 1990
1992On TelevisionDecember 2, 1992
1998Super Best CollectionSeptember 30, 1998
1999Super Best/Single Hits CollectionJanuary 21, 1999
1999Super Best/Album Favorite CollectionJanuary 21, 1999
2001Love Ballad Best Collection/P.S. I Want to Give You A Hug August 22, 2001
2002Love Beat Best Collection/Dramatic Rain January 23, 2002
2002Super Best Single Hits Collection
Released on DVD Audio only.
December 18, 2002
2003Slow Songs November 26, 2003
2005Complete Single CollectionDecember 16, 2005
2007Rainy Voice 〜greatest hits & mellow pop〜 September 5, 2007
2009Ballad Best March 11, 2009

Cover and duet albums

YearTitleRelease Date
1986Another PageJuly 2, 1986
1990TenDecember 1, 1990
1996RevivalDecember 4, 1996
1999FM AORMarch 25, 1999
2004Revival IINovember 3, 2004
2005Unchained MelodyDecember 23, 2005
2008A Man and A Woman Two Hearts Two VoicesNovember 19, 2008
2009A Man and A Woman 2 October 28, 2009
2009A Man and A Woman 2 Special EditionOctober 28, 2009
2010A Man and A Woman 3 September 29, 2010
2010A Man and A Woman 3 Special EditionSeptember 29, 2010

Singles