Yuya Uchida

was a Japanese singer, record producer, and actor. With a career spanning six decades, he was a major figure in Japanese music. Kazuo Takeda stated that Japanese rock would not be what it is today without Uchida, as he was one of the first to bring what was happening in the West in the mid-1960s back to Japan.

He appeared in numerous films, such as Nagisa Ōshima's Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and won two best acting awards. He also starred in the American film Black Rain.

Career Uchida was born in Nishinomiya. He dropped out of high school at age 17 and began his music career in 1957. He became friends with John Lennon after opening for The Beatles on their 1966 tour of Japan.

Shocked after seeing Jimi Hendrix perform in London in 1967, Uchida returned home and wanted to introduce a similar sound to Japan. He formed Yuya Uchida & The Flowers who released the album Challenge! in 1969, which is composed almost entirely of covers of Western psychedelic rock acts. After replacing all but one member and Uchida reverting to a producer/manager role himself, the group changed their name to Flower Travellin' Band and released another cover album, 1970's Anywhere, before relocating to Canada. Before the move they recorded an album of original material in just two days; That same year, Uchida also produced the self-titled album by Creation.

He unsuccessfully ran for the 1991 Tokyo gubernatorial election.

Uchida collaborated with pop idol Rino Sashihara for the 2014 duet single "Shekina Baby".

Personal life and legal troubles Yuya Uchida married actress Kirin Kiki in 1973. The two separated two years later but remained legally married until her death in 2018. Their daughter is an essayist/singer and married to actor Masahiro Motoki,

Uchida was arrested in September 1977 for violating Japan's Cannabis Control Law. Although Uchida admitted ten years later that he was smoking it at the time, the charges were dropped Nolle prosequi. He was arrested again in 1983 for violating Japan's Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law. Uchida entered the offices of Udo Artists, Inc. with a kitchen knife and threatened a rock promoter for allegedly paying foreign artists far more money than Japanese ones. Again, he was never indicted. In mid-November 2005, his house was broken into and several watches and jackets were stolen.

On May 13, 2011, Uchida was arrested for assault and trespassing after threatening his former girlfriend, whom he began dating in December 2009. The police said that Uchida allegedly hit the 50-year-old woman after she tried ending their relationship in March and began sending her threatening letters. The woman said she had her locks changed, but Uchida then had another locksmith open the door and entered her house on April 19. Uchida acknowledged writing the letters and having spare keys made to her house, but denied threatening her. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 61st Japan Record Awards on December 30, 2019.

Discography Singles

"Gonna Make It Tonight/Let's Twist No. 1" (1977) "What's Happening, Mr. Dylan?/Annie Get Your Guns" (1978) "Sake, Women & My Life/One Night Lullabye" (1979) "The Long Goodbye/Farewell My Lovely" (1982) "Killer in the Rain/Rolling on the Road" (1982) "Annie for a Cheek Time/No More Comics" (1985)

Albums

Challenge! (1969, Yuya Uchida & The Flowers) Y.U.Y.A 1815KC Rock'n Roll Broadcasting Station (1973) Exciting! Rock 'n' Roll Party (1973, Yuya Uchida and the 1815 Super Rock 'n' Roll Band) Hollywood (1975, Yuya Uchida and The Ventures)

No More Comics (1985)

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1966 Kureji da yo: kisôtengai Kentarô 1966 Panchi yarô Momoji 1969 Burai: Barase Musician 1969 Dorifutazu desu yo! Tokkun tokkun mata tokkun 1977 Furenzoku satsujin jiken Koichi Doi Jitsuroku furyo shoujo: Kan Tokio 1978 Pink Tush Girl Sen'ichi Yamada Eroticna kankei Kôtarô Higaki Kawajyan hankou zoku 1979 Ejiki Sûpâ gun redei Wani Bunsho Tadao Toda, Robber of bank 1980 Akai bôkô Yuya Shôjo shôfu: Kemono michi Ataru 1981 Yokohama BJ bûrusu A! Onnatachi: Waika Jyoji 1982 Mizu no nai puuru Man 1983 Saraba aibô Komatsu Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence Military prison commander Jukkai no mosukîto Hero 1986 Comic Magazine Toshiaki Kinameri 1987 Saraba itoshiki hito yo Detective 1988 Hanazono no meikyu Sosuke Mitsuya 1989 Zatoichi, Darkness Is His Ally Boss Akabei Black Rain Nashida 1992 Sakana kara daiokishin!! Yuya Erotikkuna kankei Kishin 1999 Kyohansha Elder Giliyaku 2002 Deadly Outlaw: Rekka 2003 Akame 48 Waterfalls 2004 Izo 2007 Tantei monogatari 2008 Johnen: Sada no ai Rokku tanjô 2016 Hoshikuzu kyôdai no aratana densetsu (final film role)