Morning Musume

Morning Musume to perform Pink Lady's 1970s hit

Tuesday 09th September, 04:29 AM JST

TOKYO —

Pop group Morning Musume will revive a popular 1970s song by Pink Lady, “Pepper Keibu (Lieutenant),” as part of a tribute album to composer Yu Aku who passed away last year. The album will feature another 13 songs composed by Aku in collaboration with several artists and be released on Nov 26.

Morning Musume singer Risa Niigaki, 19, has already appeared in a TV drama about the life of Aku who composed a lot of pop songs.

Latest 15 of 18 Total Comments Show All

Betting at 07:48 AM JST - 9th September

They have to "retire" when they hit 20, I think that is the age for it. But I really doubt MM can do a quality cover version of this song, they just lack the class for it. Anyway, wait and see I guess, maybe they can do something special with it ... I hope.
escape_artist at 07:49 AM JST - 9th September

Why is this news?
JeffLee at 08:00 AM JST - 9th September

They must retire by 20 or until they learn how to sing harmony. The latter indicates a certain talent or proficiency. And many Japanese men are intimidated by young women who are good at something beyond pleasing men.
borscht at 08:58 AM JST - 9th September

Aku who composed a lot of pop songs.

A lot. Wow, in depth reporting. How many is 'a lot'? 5? 200? So, besides Pepper Keibu, what other songs did he write?

Also, according to Asianbite.com (from which this photo was copied or photoshopped or vice versa), says two MM members (Takahashi and Aragaki) played PInk Lady in the TV drama Yu Aku Monogatari. Seems Aku discovered Pink Lady.
Pukey2 at 09:07 AM JST - 9th September

God I wish TSUNKU♂ was never born.
irabujapanu at 09:35 AM JST - 9th September

When i came to Japan I was shocked to see scantily dresseed, half naked, underaged Morning Musme girls,their popularity in Japan and how japanese media and people love them but then it took me a while to understand Japanese guys' mindset and how much they love Lolita gals...way to go Musme!
haytkayokomiya at 10:00 AM JST - 9th September

Fitting since a few of these girls are close to the ages of the real Pink Ladies.
gogogo at 10:58 AM JST - 9th September

News how?
beavis at 12:05 PM JST - 9th September

As a young man, the photo intrigued me, so I took a look/listen to their material on you-tube. I'd better not comment.
Nessie at 04:37 PM JST - 9th September

When i came to Japan I was shocked to see scantily dresseed, half naked, underaged Morning Musme girls,

Me? Just pleasantly surprised.
emimi at 09:20 PM JST - 9th September

It is not required to graduate Morning Musume at the age of 20. They do so for a multitude of reasons. Some girls have left to concentrate on their studies (mostly university), some have left to pursue solo careers within the Hello!Project group (Maki Goto anyone?). The current leader, Ai Takahashi, is 21. Kaori Iida was 23 at graduation (had been in MM for almost 7 years) and Hitomi Yoshizawa was 22 at graduation.
NYC_Samurai at 04:22 AM JST - 10th September

About a year ago I played my 14 year old daughter one of MM's tracks. Her only response was thanking me for moving our family back to NYC.
fukata at 12:17 AM JST - 12th September

I like a few of their songs, sang by totally different people back then. Their standard dropped, way too much, and I wonder why they are still around.
zaichik at 05:49 AM JST - 12th September

Wasn't Love Machine one of MM's hits? That was a favourite at the karaoke bar we used to go to in Joetsu. I'm sure one of my friends used to sing Pepper Keibu too. Quite a catchy tune.
seggahme at 07:50 AM JST - 21st September

not only Gaki-chan was filmed in Aku tribute movie. Ai-chan was too.