Tetsuya Komuro

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Tetsuya Komuro
MTV VMAJ 2014 Tetsuya Komuro (cropped).jpg
Komuro in 2014
Background information
Also known as"TK"
Born (1958-11-27) November 27, 1958 (age 66)
Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • composer
  • record producer
InstrumentKeyboards
Years active1975–2018, 2020–present
Labels
Member of
Formerly of
  • V2
  • Pandora

Tetsuya Komuro (小室 哲哉, Komuro Tetsuya, born November 27, 1958) is a Japanese musician, songwriter and record producer. He is recognized as the most successful producer in Japanese music history and has introduced contemporary electronic dance music to the Japanese mainstream. He was also a former owner of the disco Velfarre located in Roppongi, Tokyo.

Contents

In the Oricon singles chart of April 1996, he monopolized all the top 5 positions as the songwriter and producer, a world record. In 1995, he monopolized all top 3 positions of the copyright distribution rankings for the JASRAC Award, a record in Japan's music history. At his peak as a record producer the artists he predominantly produced for came to be known as TK Family and at one time included Namie Amuro, hitomi, TRF, Tomomi Kahara and Ami Suzuki amongst others. As of 2008, records produced by him had sold more than 170 million copies, primarily in Japan. [1] Total sales of the singles he has written exceed 42 million copies, making him the fourth best-selling lyricist in Japan. [2]

Life and career

1979–1994: Early career and TM Network

His career started as a keyboardist for Speedway in 1979. In 1984, he created the TM Network with Takashi Utsunomiya and Naoto Kine. A year later, in 1985, his first solo work was the soundtrack Vampire Hunter D for the anime movie Vampire Hunter D , and his band, TM Network, did the closing credits song "Your Song". He subsequently composed other soundtracks such as Heaven and Earth and Seven Days War.

As a solo singer, Komuro released singles "Running to Horizon" and "Gravity of Love" in 1989. "Running to Horizon" topped the Oricon charts. "Gravity of Love" also topped the Oricon charts, beating out Seiko Matsuda's "Precious Heart". [3] In 1989 and 1990, Komuro collaborated with Warren Cuccurullo.

As a composer and producer, Komuro wrote a song "My Revolution" for Misato Watanabe. The song received the Golden Award at 28th Japan Record Awards in 1986.

TM Network released single "The Point of Lovers' Night" on July 7, 1990. The single also topped the Oricon weekly charts, beating out Wink's single "Yoru ni Hagurete (Where Were You Last Night)". [4]

TM Network changed its name to TMN in 1990. In 1991, he collaborated with X Japan drummer and pianist Yoshiki as V2. TMN disbanded in 1994.

1994–1997: Success as a record producer

By the early 1990s, Komuro was spending much of his time writing songs for and producing many other musicians and bands. He was also an early pioneer of dance music in Japan, and came to stardom in the 1990s as producer with a long string of hits with artists such as TRF (TK Rave Factory), Tomomi Kahala, Namie Amuro, Ami Suzuki, hitomi, Ryoko Shinohara and H Jungle with t. In 1994, he composed the musical score to the Japanese anime film Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie , based on the Capcom video game. Ryōko Shinohara recorded the theme song of the anime film, "Itoshisa to Setsunasa to Kokoro Zuyosa to", with Tetsuya Komuro. The single of the theme song was released on July 21, 1994, and sold over two million copies on Oricon charts. [5] This score was removed from the US release of the film.

He was mainly helped in this task by the mix engineers Pete Hammond and Dave Ford. Both were working for PWL, which was the home of the British producing team Stock Aitken Waterman. Not only that, "TK" is also credited for the rise to fame of Daisuke Asakura, a popular Japanese composer, keyboardist and music producer who began his major musical career as a backup keyboardist for TM Network. Asakura is reported to view Komuro as his "Sensei" or "Teacher".

In 1997, he started his overseas career with the remix of the theme music for the soundtrack to the 1997 American film Speed 2: Cruise Control , which Japanese MMA fighter Kazushi Sakuraba and English pro wrestler Johnny Smith later adopted as their entrance music.

1998–2007: Following career

Komuro (left) with Keizo Obuchi at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in October 1999 Tetsuya Komuro and Keizo Obuchi 19991020.jpg
Komuro (left) with Keizō Obuchi at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in October 1999

Komuro also released albums as a solo singer or musician and was involved in the bands Globe, Kiss Destination and Gaball. On December 31, 1998, his band Globe's song "Wanna Be A Dreammaker" received the grand prix award at the 40th edition of Japan Record Award. In 1999, Komuro, Utsunomiya and Kine reunited under their old name of TM Network, and remain active to this day.

Komuro worked in collaboration with French keyboardist Jean Michel Jarre from 1998 to 2001. The duet wrote the theme song for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, "Together Now", as well as several other tracks and remixes. He and Jarre also performed a concert on beaches in Okinawa on January 1, 2001.

2008: Fraud

On November 4, 2008, Komuro was arrested and charged with fraud, for taking ¥500,000,000 in exchange for a promise to sell to a Hyōgo-based investor the copyright to his songs, which he had already sold to somebody else (which was Avex Group Holdings according to reports). [6] [7] [8] Reportedly, he planned to use the money to pay a portion of his ex-wife's alimony. [9] [10] He admitted the fraud at his trial in January 2009. [11]

In March 2009, Masato Matsuura, president of the Avex Group Holdings, recovered the losses for the plaintiff, paid him extra ¥100 million in compensation and a further ¥48 million in delay damages. Matsuura also stated that Komuro will work at Avex in a company position directly under his control. [12]

On May 11, 2009, Komuro received a suspended three-year prison sentence. According to the sentencing judge, Komuro's acceptance of responsibility and the fact that restitution had been made greatly influenced the final sentence, and further went on to state that no good to society would come from Komuro's imprisonment. [13]

2009–2020: Comeback

At the Avex Group Holdings' concert tour a-nation 2009, Komuro made a surprise appearance on August 22, 2009. He played a medley of his hit songs at the piano and later reunited on stage with his fellow members of the J-pop group globe, Marc Panther and his wife Keiko Yamada.

Komuro composed AAA's double A-side single "Aitai Riyū/Dream After Dream (Yume Kara Sameta Yume)". The single was released on May 5, 2010.

He composed almost all the songs on Love Songs , the 2010 album of Japanese pop-star Ayumi Hamasaki. He also composed the 2013 single "Feel The Love" by Ayumi Hamasaki. [14]

In January 2018, Komuro announced his retirement from the music industry, following revelations of an affair he had with a nurse who had been taking care of his wife Keiko after her brain surgery. [15] [16]

In July 2020, Komuro once again returned to the industry producing singles for Ayumi Hamasaki [17] & Nogizaka46. [18]

In February 2021, it was reported that Keiko's divorce had been finalized.

Discography

Studio albums
Live albums
Compilation albums
Remix albums
Soundtracks
Box sets
Singles

Related Research Articles

Globe was a dance-oriented Japanese pop band, formed in 1995 by the producer and songwriter Tetsuya Komuro. Originally consisting of Komuro, Keiko Yamada and Marc Panther, the group's singles consistently entered the charts. In late 2002, Yoshiki, the drummer and pianist of X Japan, joined the group, but he left the band about a year later.

Keiko Yamada is the lead vocalist of the pop group Globe. Since 2001, she has had a solo career, starting with the single "A Song Is Born" in collaboration with Ayumi Hamasaki. In late 2003, she released her first solo EP called KCO. Keiko, under the name KCO, released her first solo album O-Crazy Luv on Universal in 2008. The album contains a total of 11 tracks, including her first single under the new name, "Haru no Yuki".

<i>A Song for ××</i> 1999 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

A Song for ×× is the debut studio album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki, released on New Year's Day 1999 by Avex Trax. It was entirely written by Hamasaki herself, while the production was handled by Japanese musician Max Matsuura. Primarily a pop rock album, it features musical composition and arrangements by Yasuhiko Hoshino, Mitsuru Igarashi of Every Little Thing fame, and others. In this album, Hamasaki wrote about her confusion and uncertainty about life, expressed her expectations and hopes for the future, and expressed her gratitude to the fans who love her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surreal (song)</span> 2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love (Destiny)</span> 1999 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Love (Destiny)" (stylized as "LOVE ~Destiny~") is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, serving as the second single for her second studio album, Loveppears (1999). It was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Taiwan on April 14, 1999, and through Avex Entertainment Inc. worldwide in September 2008. The track was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Three versions of the recording have been made available—a ballad version arranged by Tsunku, an edited version with vocals by Tsunku, and a dance-influenced version included on Loveppears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boys & Girls (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 1999 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vogue (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Far Away (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2000 song by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Far Away" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Max Matsuura. It premiered on May 17, 2000, as the second single from the album. The song is part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles being "Vogue" and "Seasons".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M (song)</span> 2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"M" is the nineteenth single by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. "M" serves as the lead single to her first greatest hits album A Best (2001) and her fourth studio album I Am... (2002). The track marked Hamasaki's increased creative control over her music, as it was the first song she composed, under the pen name "Crea". The lyrics of "M" are about Hamasaki talking to Maria, or also possibly to Mary Magdalene, hence the title "M".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Meaning of Peace</span> 2001 single by Koda Kumi & BoA

"The Meaning of Peace" is a single by Japanese R&B singer-songwriter Koda Kumi and South Korean pop singer-songwriter BoA. The single debuted on Oricon and No. 12 and remained on the charts for twelve weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can You Celebrate?</span> 1997 single by Namie Amuro

"Can You Celebrate?" is the ninth single by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. Serving as the second single from her third studio album Concentration 20, it was released on February 19, 1997, by Avex Trax. Its lyrics and composition was handled solely by Tetsuya Komuro. Musically, "Can You Celebrate?" is a power ballad that incorporates gospel and classical music. Lyrically, the song express a longing for a deep and lasting love, asking if the listener can celebrate and kiss the singer.

<i>Guilty</i> (Ayumi Hamasaki album) 2008 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Guilty is the ninth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on New Year's Day 2008 by Avex Trax. Guilty marks Hamasaki's ninth consecutive album to be fully produced by Japanese producer and manager Max Matsuura, while she contributes to the album as the lead vocalist, background vocalist, and songwriter to all songs. Recorded in Japanese with minor phrases in English, Guilty is a rock album with numerous musical elements such as pop rock, heavy metal, synthrock, and power ballad melodies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rule/Sparkle</span> 2009 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel the Love (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2013 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Feel the Love" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released in six different formats on December 25, 2013 by Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan, and Avex Entertainment Inc. worldwide. It was also her first physical release in three years since her EP–single L (2010), and her first double A-side single, alongside the track "Merry-Go-Round", since "Moon" and "Blossom" that same year. The track was written by the singer, whilst production was handled by Japanese musician and long-time collaborator Max Matsuura with the assistance of DJ Hello Kitty; this marks the singer's first single to be produced with another producer outside of Matsuura. Musically, "Feel the Love" is an electronic dance song that lyrically focuses on love and having a good time.

<i>Colours</i> (Ayumi Hamasaki album) 2014 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Colours is the fifteenth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on July 2, 2014, in Japan by Avex Trax, worldwide by Avex Entertainment Inc., and on July 18 in Taiwan by Avex Taiwan. The songs on the album were entirely written by Hamasaki, while production was led by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura; it also included a variety of Western producers such as Armin van Buuren, members from RedOne Productions De Paris and Rush, Darkchild, and Fedde Le Grand, among others. This became Hamasaki's first studio album to have not been fully produced by Matsuura, and her first album to incorporate a large amount of English language. Musically, Colours is an electronic dance music album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You & Me (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2012 promotional single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"You & Me" is a song by Japanese musician Ayumi Hamasaki. It was the leading promotional track from her summer song compilation album A Summer Best, released on August 8, 2012. The song was a commercial success, certified gold by the RIAJ, and became a part of the track list for Hamasaki's 14th studio album, Love Again (2013).

<i>A One</i> 2015 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

A One is the sixteenth full-length studio album recorded by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on April 8, 2015 by Avex Trax. It reached #4 on the Oricon charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merry-Go-Round (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2013 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Merry-Go-Round" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, featuring a rap section delivered by Japanese artist Verbal, for the singer's fifteenth studio album Colours (2014). It was released worldwide in six different formats on December 25, 2013 by Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan, and Avex Entertainment Inc. It was also Hamasaki's first physical release in three years since her EP–single L (2010), and her first double A-side single, alongside the track "Feel the Love", since "Moon" and "Blossom" that same year. The track was written by Hamasaki, whilst production was handled by Japanese musician and long-time collaborator Max Matsuura with the assistance of M-Flo; this marks Hamasaki's first single to be produced with another producer outside of Matsuura. Musically, "Merry-Go-Round" is an electronic dance song that includes guitars and synthesizers in its instrumentation.

Tetsuya Komuro Archives refers to two separate box set releases featuring songs from various artists that were produced by the retired Japanese musician Komuro Tetsuya. They were released on June 27, 2018, by the Japanese record label Avex Trax. The box sets were released as Tetsuya Komuro Archives "T" and Tetsuya Komuro Archives "K", with each box set containing fifty songs divided into four separate discs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamed a Dream</span> 2020 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Dreamed a Dream" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released as a digital single only on July 31, 2020.

References

  1. ↑ Justin McCurry (November 4, 2008). "Japanese pop producer arrested for fraud". The Guardian . Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  2. ↑ 【オリコン】秋元康氏、作詞シングル総売上が1億枚突破「34年間の積み重ね」. Oricon (in Japanese). December 9, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Oricon Weekly Single Charts for the fourth week of November 1989" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Oricon Weekly Single Charts for the third week of July 1990" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  5. ↑ "小室哲哉が作曲した楽曲売上 TOP20". Oricon Style (in Japanese). Oricon. November 4, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  6. ↑ Music producer Komuro arrested for copyright fraud  › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion Japan Today Retrieved November 4, 2008
  7. ↑ AFP: Japanese music producer Komuro arrested for fraud: reports Archived November 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine AFP Retrieved November 4, 2008
  8. ↑ NHKニュース　借金返済に困り著作権悪用か [ permanent dead link ] (NHK News: Abuse of Intellectual Property Rights under Pressure to Repay Loans?), NHK News, Retrieved November 4, 2008
  9. ↑ Music producer Komuro arrested for copyright fraud
  10. ↑ Komuro faces arrest over fraud
  11. ↑ "Japan's disgraced music icon Komuro admits fraud". AFP. January 21, 2009. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Avex Boss Bails Out Komuro". Japan Zone Entertainment. March 13, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  13. ↑ Schwartz, Rob (May 12, 2009). "Tetsuya Komuro gets suspended sentence". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Tetsuya Komuro Homepage". komuro.info. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Famed producer Tetsuya Komuro quits music industry over alleged affair". 19 January 2018.
  16. ↑ "Star music producer Komuro announces retirement after extramarital affair report – The Mainichi". Mainichi Daily News. 19 January 2018.
  17. ↑ Kyle (July 24, 2020). "Ayumi Hamasaki to release new single "Dreamed a Dream", produced by Tetsuya Komuro". ARAMA! JAPAN. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  18. ↑ Kyle (July 16, 2020). "Tetsuya Komuro to produce new Nogizaka46 song "Route 246"". ARAMA! JAPAN. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
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