Sugar Babe was a Tokyo band led by Tatsuro Yamashita and Taeko Onuki whose only album, Songs (1975), is often cited as the first city pop record.[1]
Members
The group formed in 1973 and is often cited as crucial to the creation of city pop.[1][2] Its final line-up was Tatsuro Yamashita (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Taeko Onuki (vocals, keyboards), Kunio Muramatsu (vocals, guitar), Jiro Terao (bass) and Hiroshi Uehara (drums).[1]
Songs
Songs was released on 25 April 1975 on Eiichi Ohtaki’s Niagara label through Elec Records, the same day as the single “Down Town”, which later became a standard.[1]
Breakup
Yamashita announced the band’s end in February 1976; the final concerts took place at Ogikubo Loft on 31 March and 1 April 1976. “Down Town” was reissued as a single in 1982 and 1994.[1]
Discography
Main articles: Songs
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Songs | Niagara / Elec |
Notable singles
| Year | Title | Oricon peak |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | “Down Town” | — |
References
- “シュガー・ベイブ”. Wikipedia (Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2026.
- “A Guide to City Pop, the Soundtrack for Japan’s Bubble-Era Generation”. Nippon.com. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
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