Tatsuhiko Yamamoto is a Tokyo-born singer-songwriter who debuted in 1978 and became one of the leading figures of 1980s city pop, with a run of top-ten albums on Toshiba EMI’s East World label.[1][2]
Early life
Yamamoto joined the Tokyo Boys’ Choir as an elementary-school pupil and toured North America with it in 1964, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show. At Seikei University he formed the band Orange, which won a Nippon TV amateur band contest but disbanded in 1976. He then toured as keyboardist and backing vocalist for Hiroshi Kamayatsu, also writing songs for him.[1][2] He has said his interest in AOR and soft-and-mellow music began after he entered university in 1973, drawn to a more urban, jazz-flavoured sound than rock.[2]
Career
He made his solo debut in September 1978 with the single “Toppu (Sudden Wind)” on Philips/Nippon Phonogram, followed by the album of the same name in January 1979; his early lyrics were largely written by Date Ayumu, a pen name of novelist Shizuka Ijuin.[1][2] Moving to Toshiba EMI’s East World label, he released I LOVE YOU SO (1982), MARTINI HOUR (1983), Music (1984) and MEDITERRANEE (1985), the latter two reaching No. 6 and No. 4 on Oricon.[1] He later recorded for Alfa Records and in 1999 founded his own label, Silence.[1][2]
Legacy
The Daily Sports described him in 2019 as a leading figure of 1980s city pop; for his 40th debut anniversary in 2018 Universal issued the four-disc box set Life in Music.[2] By 2008 his catalogue numbered 34 singles and 28 original albums.[1]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Toppu: Sudden Wind (Debut album) | Philips / Nippon Phonogram |
| 1982 | I LOVE YOU SO | Toshiba EMI / East World |
| 1983 | MARTINI HOUR | Toshiba EMI / East World |
| 1984 | Music (Oricon No. 6) | Toshiba EMI / East World |
| 1985 | MEDITERRANEE (Oricon No. 4) | Toshiba EMI / East World |
| 1990 | NEXT (Oricon No. 19) | Alfa Records |
Notable songs
References
- “山本達彦”. Wikipedia (Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2026.
- “山本達彦インタビュー（中）今までのロックにない音楽を作りたいなと思った”. Daily Sports. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
In the catalogue · 10
- Tatsuhiko YamamotoI Love You So1982
I Love You So
1982 · WTP-90155
Man + Woman = 100%
1982 · WTP-17281
Memorial Rain
1983 · 20PL-26
Sudden Wind
1983 · 20PL-25
Romantic View = ロマンティック・ビュー
1983 · WTP-90251
My Favorites = マイ・フェイバリッツ
1985 · WTP-80176
Spectra
1986 · WTP-90437
Boom Days
1987 · RT28-5021
Alive And Well
1987 · WTP-90460
Heart Notes
1988 · RT28-5304
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