Mari Hamada

Born on 18 July 1962 in Tokyo, Japan, Hamada stands as the highest-earning female rock performer in her native country, routinely exceeding Madonna in sales there. Raised on the music of Pat Benatar, Linda Ronstadt and Heart that reached Japan from abroad, she decided to travel to the United States in search of the songwriters and producers behind those sounds. MCA Records responded favorably and offered her an initial contract outside Japan. By then she had already built a domestic following that originated in school when she started a rock band and performed as its singer. During her first year at college she became the lead vocalist for Misty Cats. Her first release arrived in the early 80s once she signed with Victor Musical Industries for a solo career. That association lasted many years and produced two gold and three platinum albums. In 1990 she began working alongside members of Toto in Los Angeles, California, which became her permanent base. Her approach to rock, centered on power ballads that emphasized impact over depth, reached British audiences when she supported Kim Wilde on tour in 1994. Additional opening slots for Trisha Yearwood came next, leading to the first European album, Introducing Mari Hamada, issued early the following year. The record included the promotional single ‘Hold On’ and was produced by Marc Tanner, previously associated with Cheap Trick and Nelson. Tanner also contributed to the writing of numerous tracks, all performed in English.