Information:
Sakamoto Kyuu is considered to be one of Japan's greatest singers of his time. He even had one of his biggest hits, "ue wo muite arukou", released in the U.S. under the name "Sukiyaki" in 1963. It topped the billboard charts, and to date remains the only song sung only in Japanese to do so. He is often paid tribute to by other Japanese artists as well. The Ulfuls and Re:Japan covered his hit "ashita ga aru" in 2001. He passed away on 08/12/1985, when Japan Airlines Flight 123 crashed. Before the airplane crashed though, he was able to write a farewell note to his wife.