Saori Minami facts for kids

Saori Minami (南 沙織, Minami Saori) is a famous Japanese singer. Her real name is Akemi Shinoyama, but she was born Akemi Uchima. She also uses the Christian name Cynthia. Saori Minami was a popular idol in the 1970s. She was active as a singer from 1971 to 1978, and then again from 1991 to 1997. She was born in Okinawa, Japan, on July 2, 1954.

Saori Minami's Singing Career

Saori Minami started her singing career in the summer of 1971. Her first song was called "17-sai" (which means "17 Years Old"). This song was a huge hit! It reached the number 2 spot on the Oricon chart list, which tracks the most popular songs in Japan. "17-sai" was one of the best-selling songs of 1971 in Japan. It made her a big star. The song was inspired by "Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson, a favorite song of Minami's.

Saori Minami helped create what we know as the modern Japanese idol. She, along with two other singers, Rumiko Koyanagi and Mari Amachi, were called "The Three Girls" (三人娘 (San nin musume)). They were very popular and set the stage for future idol groups.

After her first hit, Saori Minami was nominated for "Best Newcomer of the Year." She performed her hit song "17-sai" on a very famous Japanese TV show called Kōhaku Uta Gassen. This show is a big annual music event. Saori Minami appeared on the show 8 times during her career.

Her next two songs, "Shiokaze no Melody" (Melody of the Seabreeze) and "Tomodachi" (Friends), were also very successful. They both made it into the top 10 on the Oricon charts. In 1972, her song "Junketsu" (Chastity) reached number 3. Another song, "Aishu no Page" (A Page Full of Sorrow), also reached number 3. It even had an English intro!

In 1973, she released "Kizutsuku Sedai" (Wounded Generation). This song had a Rock 'N' Roll sound and was a top 5 hit. Later that year, "Irozuku Machi" (Painted City) became one of her biggest successes. Saori Minami herself said it was one of her most important songs. She continued to release popular songs throughout the 1970s. Some of these included "Hito Kakera No Junjou" (A Little Naive) and "Hito Koishi Kute" (A Wonderful Person).

Saori Minami decided to stop singing professionally in 1978. She came back for a short time between 1991 and 1997. During this period, she released a few mini-CDs and performed live. After that, she retired again from the music world.

Saori Minami's Personal Life

Saori Minami is married to a photographer named Kishin Shinoyama. They have a son named Akinobu Shinoyama. Saori Minami studied English at Sophia University. During her singing career, she sang many folk and pop songs in English. She even traveled to Los Angeles, California to record an album called Cynthia Street. She worked hard to improve her English speaking skills. Besides English, Saori Minami also learned to speak Spanish.

Saori Minami is a Roman Catholic. Sometimes, during her singing career, she was also known by her Christian name, Cynthia.

Saori Minami's Music

Singles

Studio Albums

EPs

Live Albums

Compilations