Eiichi Ohtaki was a Japanese songwriter, producer and founder of the Niagara label whose A Long Vacation (1981) is one of the most celebrated albums in Japanese pop history.[1]
Happy End
Born in Esashi, Iwate, in 1948, Ohtaki was a member of the rock band Happy End with Haruomi Hosono and Shigeru Suzuki; the group released three albums before disbanding on New Year’s Eve 1972.[1][2]
Niagara Records
Ohtaki’s Niagara label issued its first release in 1975: Sugar Babe’s Songs.[1] In 1976 he recorded Niagara Triangle Vol. 1 with Tatsuro Yamashita and Ginji Ito.[1]
A Long Vacation
A Long Vacation (1981) won Best Album at the 23rd Japan Record Awards and was certified double platinum; in 2007 Rolling Stone Japan named it the seventh-greatest Japanese rock album of all time.[1] After Each Time (1984) and the 1985 single “Fjord no Shōjo”, he largely retired as a solo performer.[1] His 1997 drama theme “Shiawase na Ketsumatsu” sold over a million copies.[1]
Death
Ohtaki died at his home in Mizuho, Tokyo, on 30 December 2013, aged 65. Two posthumous albums, Debut Again (2016) and Happy Ending (2020), have since been released.[1]
Discography
Main articles: A Long Vacation, Each Time
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Ohtaki Eiichi | King / Bellwood |
| 1975 | Niagara Moon | Elec / Niagara |
| 1976 | Go! Go! Niagara | Columbia / Niagara |
| 1977 | Niagara CM Special Vol. 1 | Columbia / Niagara |
| 1977 | Niagara Calendar ’78 | Columbia / Niagara |
| 1978 | Debut | Columbia / Niagara |
| 1978 | Let’s Ondo Again | Columbia / Niagara |
| 1981 | A Long Vacation | Sony / Niagara |
| 1981 | Niagara Calendar ’81 | Sony / Niagara |
| 1982 | Niagara CM Special Vol. 2 | Sony / Niagara |
| 1984 | Each Time | Sony / Niagara |
| 2016 | Debut Again (posthumous) | Sony / Niagara |
| 2020 | Happy Ending (posthumous) | Sony / Niagara |
Notable singles
| Year | Title | Oricon peak |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | “Fjord no Shōjo” | — |
| 1997 | “Shiawase na Ketsumatsu” — million-seller | — |
References
- “Eiichi Ohtaki”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
- “Haruomi Hosono”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
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