Kyu Sakamoto

1941-1985 · Japanese singer and actor · recorded the original in 1961

Sakamoto was 19 when he cut “Ue o Muite Arukō” for Toshiba-EMI, released in Japan on 15 October 1961. Renamed “Sukiyaki” for English-speaking markets, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1963 and made him the first Asian recording artist with a US No. 1. He remained a star in Japan as a singer and actor until he was killed in the crash of Japan Air Lines Flight 123 on 12 August 1985.

Who recorded it

Songs Kyu Sakamoto recorded first

Sukiyaki

Recorded it first — now often credited to A Taste of Honey

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