Kawai Naoko (河合奈保子) is a Japanese former singer, former idol, and former television show host.
Her daughter is former singer kaho.
History[]
Kawai auditioned for a contest by singer Saijo Hideki in December 1979 and became a finalist. She won the final tournament on March 16th, 1980, signed with Columbia Records, and moved to Tokyo for singing lessons. Debuting in June 1980, her breakthrough came with her second single, YOUNG BOY, making her a popular idol of the early 1980s.
In October 1981, Kawai fractured her back during a performance rehearsal and went on hiatus to heal. She returned wearing a medical corset and limited choreography but continued her rising career. By 1984, she shifted from her idol image, and by 1989, she was writing and producing her own music.
In February 1996, Kawai married her hairstylist, Kanehara Takayuki (金原宜保), and left entertainment for a brief maternity leave in June. However, she never returned, retiring permanently after her agency dropped her in 2005. In 2010, she revealed she lives in Australia with her family and lived as a housewife. She also stated that she remained open to returning to music if she felt the timing was right.
Discography[]
Albums[]
- [1980.10.10] LOVE
- [1981.05.10] TWILIGHT DREAM
- [1981.08.10] DIARY
- [1982.07.21] SUMMER HEROINE
- [1983.01.21] Arubamu (あるばむ)
- [1983.06.01] SKY PARK
- [1983.10.21] HALF SHADOW
- [1984.06.01] Summer Delicacy
- [1984.08.28] DAYDREAM COAST
- [1984.12.05] Sayonara Monogatari - THE LAST SCENE and AFTER (さよなら物語-THE LAST SCENE and AFTER)
- [1985.03.05] STARDUST GARDEN -Sen・Hyaku・Niwa・Kuni- (STARDUST GARDEN -千・年・庭・園-)
- [1985.12.12] 9 1/2 NINE HALF
- [1986.10.21] Scarlet
- [1987.06.24] JAPAN as waterscapes
- [1988.04.01] Members Only
- [1989.11.21] Calling You
- [1990.06.01] Book End (ブックエンド)
- [1993.11.21] engagement
- [2006.04.26] nahoko Oto / blue (nahoko 音 / blue)
- [2006.04.26] nahoko Oto / orange (nahoko 音 / orange)
- [2006.11.28] nahoko Oto (nahoko 音)
Best Albums[]
- [1981.11.25] Angel
- [1982.09.21] Kawai Naoko Zenkyokushuu (河合奈保子全曲集)
- [1983.12.21] Prism (Angel II) (プリズム (AngelII))
- [1983.12.21] Collection (コレクション)
- [1984.03.21] Ai・Naoko no Wakakusairo no Tabi (愛・奈保子の若草色の旅)
- [1985.07.24] NAOKO22
- [1985.07.24] Collection II (コレクションII)
- [1986.05.21] Zenkyokushuu Namida no Hybrid (全曲集 涙のハリウッド)
- [1987.09.21] Baraado (ばらあど)
- [1988.09.21] Fabric Voices
- [1989.03.21] Pure Gold
- [1989.05.01] Kawai Naoko Sakuhinshuu Masterpieces (河合奈保子作品集 Masterpieces)
- [1990.12.01] NAOKO KAWAI Super Twin DX (NAOKO KAWAI スーパー・ツインDX)
- [1993.09.21] Kawai Naoko Best Selection I (河合奈保子 ベスト・セレクションI)
- [1993.09.21] Kawai Naoko Best Selection II (河合奈保子 ベスト・セレクションII)
- [2006.12.06] Kawai Naoko Single Collection (河合奈保子・しんぐるこれくしょん)
- [2010.03.03] Kawai Naoko Golden☆Best (河合奈保子 ゴールデン☆ベスト)
- [2013.01.23] Kawai Naoko Golden☆Best ~A-men Collection~ (河合奈保子 ゴールデン☆ベスト 〜A面コレクション〜)
- [2013.01.23] Kawai Naoko Golden☆Best ~B-men Collection~ (河合奈保子 ゴールデン☆ベスト 〜B面コレクション〜)
- [2014.07.30] Golden☆Idol Kawai Naoko (ゴールデン☆アイドル 河合奈保子)
- [2015.08.26] Watashi ga Suki na Kawai Naoko (私が好きな河合奈保子)
Live Albums[]
- [1980.12.10] LIVE
- [1982.02.25] NAOKO IN CONCERT
- [1982.11.21] Brilliant (ブリリアント)
- [1988.10.21] NAOKO THANKSGIVING PARTY
Remix Albums[]
- [1987.12.10] Timeless ~Naoko special mix~
Mini Albums[]
- [1983.07.21] Beautiful Day (ビューティフル・デイ)
Singles[]
- [1980.06.01] Ookina Mori no Chiisana Oie (大きな森の小さなお家)
- [1980.08.25] Young Boy (ヤング・ボーイ)
- [1980.12.10] Aishitemasu (愛してます)
- [1981.03.10] 17-Sai (17才)
- [1981.06.01] Smile For Me (スマイル・フォー・ミー)
- [1981.09.01] Moonlight Kiss (ムーンライト・キッス)
- [1981.12.05] Love Letter (ラブレター)
- [1982.03.10] Ai wo Kudasai (愛をください)
- [1982.06.10] Natsu no Heroine (夏のヒロイン)
- [1982.09.01] Kanka wo Yamete (けんかをやめて)
- [1982.12.01] Invitation
- [1983.03.01] Straw Touch no Koi (ストロー・タッチの恋)
- [1983.06.01] Escalation (エスカレーション)
- [1983.09.14] UNbalance (UNバランス)
- [1983.12.01] Gimonfu (疑問符)
- [1984.03.01] Soyokaze no Melody (微風のメロディー)
- [1984.06.01] Control (コントロール)
- [1984.08.28] Kuchibiru no Privacy (唇のプライバシー)
- [1984.12.05] Kitaeki no Solitude (北駅のソリチュード)
- [1985.03.05] Jealous Train (ジェラス・トレイン)
- [1985.06.12] Debut ~ Fly Me To Love (デビュー〜Fly Me To Love)
- [1985.10.03] Lavender Lips (ラヴェンダー・リップス)
- [1985.12.12] THROUGH THE WINDOW ~Tsuki ni Furu Yuki~ (THROUGH THE WINDOW 〜月に降る雪〜)
- [1986.04.01] Namida no Hollywood (涙のハリウッド)
- [1986.07.24] Setsuna no Natsu (刹那の夏)
- [1986.11.26] Half Moon Serenade (ハーフムーン・セレナーデ)
- [1987.03.01] Omoide no Coney's Island (想い出のコニーズ・アイランド)
- [1987.03.01] Izayoi Monogatari (十六夜物語)
- [1988.03.01] Kanashii Hito (悲しい人)
- [1988.07.21] Harbour Light Memories
- [1989.11.10] Kanashimi no Anniversary (悲しみのアニバァサリー)
- [1990.04.10] Mi・Rai (美・来)
- [1990.09.01] Nemuru, Nemuru, Nemuru (眠る、眠る、眠る)
- [1992.06.21] Golden sunshine day
- [1993.10.21] Engage (エンゲージ)
- [1994.03.21] Yume no Ato Kara (夢の跡から)
Trivia[]
- She has two children, the first, a son born in January 1997, the second, a daughter (Kaho), born in November 1998.