Legendary Voices: 8) Yumi Matsutoya

Ranked #3 on HMV’s list of 100 great Japanese artists, Yumi Matsutoya has sold over 42 million records and charted 19 number-one albums. Originally she was known as Yumi Arai, before marrying her producer, Masataka Matsutoya. She debuted in the early 70’s and her first famous song was 1975’s “Sotsugyo Shashin,” [Graduation Photo] which was quick to become a Japanese pop classic. At times, her songwriting was influenced by American female stars like Joni Mitchell and Carole King.