Which artist or band represents the Heisei era for you?

Who pops up in your mind first when you think about artists or bands who represent the Heisei era?

Of course, the songs listened to by many people and sold many records are famous songs. But for many of us, there are different songs that have left impressions on our hearts. If you could find a song that makes you think “This is the best!” I don’t think you could be happier!

I was accidentally about to make my conclusion before I even got started! I was about to say that the artist that represented the Heisei era was aiko, but this time I’m not so sure (but she’s still #1 for me).

In fact, this time, I’d like to name “ZARD” as the band that represents the Heisei era for me.

Many people might know their big hits, such as “Makenaide” and “Yureru Omoi.” They are a musical unit led by vocalist, Izumi Sakai (birth name: Sachiko Kamachi).
When she passed away in 2007, I was a senior in high school. I remember hearing the news at school, and I prayed silently with my friends. It was such a shock.
In 2020, ZARD celebrates their 30th anniversary. I think Sakai’s songs are still alive in the hearts of many.

Meanwhile, the biography, “Eien –Kimi to Boku to no Aida ni”, was released in October 2019.
https://musing.jp/shop/zard/eien/

It contains about 90 photos (some not released in the past), the rules of the lyrics written by Izumi Sakai who wrote almost all the ZARD songs, and notes about the lyrics, as well as the piano that Sakai would use to check the sound during recording.
Here it is.

KAWAI / Mini Piano P-25 1107
https://www.kawai.jp/product/minipianop25r/

Sakai named this mini piano “Baby Grand.” Probably some of you have heard the name. Their 23rd single was entitled “My Baby Grand –Nukumori ga Hoshikute-”. “My Baby Grand” refers to this piano. “Baby Grand” was actually used for the recoding of this song.

But, unfortunately, this mini piano model was discontinued.
It might be a bit difficult to get the same model……

Here is the successor to the mini piano, available at Sound House. The number of keys has been increased to 32, and it has legs like a grand piano.

KAWAI (Kawai Musical Instruments) / P32R（1163）

The size makes it easy to carry, and it’s also good that you don’t need any other gear. The sound is more like that of the metallophone than of the piano.

Izumi Sakai sometimes got sick from anxiety when being on the TV programs, so she was rarely in the mass media, and there’s almost no video footage left.
That just makes you realize how very precious rarely-seen footage of her on music programs really is.

Recently, to introduce the works of ZARD to future generations, “SARD UNDERGROUND” from Being Group, made their major debut with a tribute cover album full of masterpieces!

In fact, the cover photo pays homage to a ZARD album, “TODAY IS ANOTHER DAY.”

At first, they covered the ZARD songs just to learn them, but they became more and more attracted by the world of Izumi Sakai’s words, and took on the task earnestly.
At that time, the producer of ZARD heard about SARD UNDERGROUND, and decided to help them out so that they can be on the center stage “handing down the music of ZARD to future generations”.

I’d like to introduce a song from the cover album.

SARD UNDERGROUND “Kokoro wo Hiraite” First edition movie

They also released their first single.
Here it is.

SARD UNDERGROUND “Sukoshi zutsu Sukoshi zutsu” First edition movie

For this one, Izumi Sakai of ZARD had written the lyrics, but the song had never been released. This is the perfect debut single for a band “handing down the music of ZARD to future generations”.

Times may change, but there are still many songs that touch your heart.
I hope that go back and revisit the #1 song for you, and hold on to it for encouragement as you head into the future.
And let’s also hope we can come across some good music in the Reiwa era. See ya!