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Wada Akiko Finally to Debut at Apollo Theater | May 02, 2008 |
 Veteran singer Wada Akiko (58) announced this week that she will perform her first ever overseas concert, and the venue will be none other than the Apollo Theater in New York's Harlem. The September 29 concert is to mark the 40th anniversary of her distinguished career. She has always regarded the late Ray Charles as her idol, and she says she is excited to finally have a chance to perform on the stage that he and so many other soul and R&B stars made their own. Charles was a guest performer at her 30th anniversary show in Tokyo in November 1998. She says the inspiration to become a singer came when she heard Charles' 1958 hit "I Can’t Stop Loving You" when she was in junior high school. She made her wish that she would someday perform at the Apollo four years when shooting a TV show in New York (photo). But if "Akko" had been a bit more serious about her English language studies, she might have had her chance many years ago. Early in her career Hori Takeo, the founder of her Hori Pro management agency, saw in her powerful voice and larger-than-life aura the makings of a singer who could succeed in the U.S. But Wada was more interested in playing pachinko than going to English classes and the plan never materialized. In 1975, she recorded the song "Mienai Sekai" in Los Angeles, and was the first Japanese artist to use black backing singers. She is taking her upcoming overseas debut seriously, is going to the gym two or three times a week to get into shape, and has cut back on her renowned drinking and socializing. Before heading to the U.S., she will have a Japan tour from June 20 to mid-September.
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