Sugar (trio)
| Company type | Idol group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Yokohama , Japan |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Sugar (Japanese: シュガー) was a Japanese idol trio consisting of Miki Kasamatsu, Kumiko Nagasawa, and Kimiko Mohri, established in 1981. Originally formed as an instrumental band with each member playing a musical instrument, they later shifted their focus to become a primarily vocal ensemble. Their first single, "Wedding Bell," achieved significant success by reaching the second position on the Oricon music charts.
History
Kumiko Nagasawa and Kimiko Mohri first met as classmates in junior high school in Yokohama and had previously created the band Karinto during their high school years. They competed in the 14th Yamaha Popular Song Contest in 1977 before joining the group Cutie Panchos in December 1978.
Following Cutie Panchos' defeat at the Popcon Grand Prix in 1980, Nagasawa and Mohri departed from the band and, together with Miki Kasamatsu, founded Sugar in 1981. The name "Sugar" was chosen to represent their "sweet voices" and served as a contrast to salt. Their debut single "Wedding Bell" was launched on November 21, 1981, through For Life Music, succeeded by their first album titled Sugar Dream.
In 1982, Sugar participated as members of the Red Group in the 33rd Kōhaku Uta Gassen. The group eventually disbanded in 1987.
Miki Kasamatsu
Miki Kasamatsu (born July 15, 1960) attended Kanagawa Prefectural Tsurumi High School and graduated from Nihon University Tsurugaoka High School. She served as the keyboard player for the band. Kasamatsu currently works as an independent composer, producing music for anime and video games.
Kumiko Nagasawa
Kumiko Nagasawa (born July 15, 1960) played guitar for the group. After Sugar disbanded, she pursued a career as a designer at Being Inc. She later returned to music as a solo performer and has led Kumi's Band since 2015, which includes former members of Cutie Panchos.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Nagasawa oversees the Sugar Project, an initiative dedicated to canine welfare.
Kimiko Tokumoto
Kimiko Tokumoto (née Mohri; September 29, 1960 – April 7, 1990) was both the bassist and leader of Sugar.
On April 6, 1990, Tokumoto was admitted to a hospital due to labor pains while her husband was away on business overseas. The fetus was unfortunately stillborn. During her overnight stay at the hospital, Tokumoto ceased breathing and passed away while being transferred to another medical facility; the exact cause of death remains undetermined.
Studio albums
| Year | Album Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Sugar Dream | For Life Music |
| 1982 | Coffee Break | |
| 1983 | Sugar Bean | |
| 1985 | 29:00 AM |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Faces | For Life Music |
| 1987 | Sugar | |
| 2004 | Golden Best |
Singles
| Year | A-Side Track | B-Side Track | Associated Album | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "Wedding Bell" (ウエディング・ベル) | "Shinsen Bishō On'na" (新鮮微笑女) | Sugar Dream | For Life Music |
| 1982 | "Abanchūru wa Rukkusu-shidai" (アバンチュールはルックスしだい) | "Shin'nyū Shain to Torabayu (A.M.9 To P.M.5)" (新入社員ととらばーゆ（A.M.9 to P.M.5）) | rowspan=2 Template:N/A | |
| "Watashi ￮ ni ho Rika Hito" (私○にほリカ人) | "An non Sutorīto" (an non ストリート) | |||
| "Misty Night" | "Uwakina Benkyō Gāru" (浮気な勉強ガール) | Coffee Break | ||
| "Wedding Well II" (ウエディング・ベル II) | "Abanchūru wa Rukkusu-shidai II" (アバンチュールはルックスしだい II) | rowspan=1 Template:N/A | ||
| 1983 | "Kisu ga Ippai" (キスがいっぱい) | "Haru Hana-zakari" (春・花ざかり) | Sugar Bean | |
| "Chū Bura Rabu" (中ブラ・ラブ) | "Chū Bura Rabu (Kareoke)" (中ブラ・ラブ (カラオケ)) | rowspan=1 Template:N/A | ||
| "Tamago" (タマゴ) | "Imagination Express <Yume Kyūkō>" (IMAGINATION EXPRESS＜夢急行＞) | rowspan=3 Template:N/A | ||
| "Circus Game" | "Suimasen My Love" (スイマセン My love) | |||
| 1985 | "Koi wa Masukarēdo" (恋はマスカレード) | "Midnight Call" | ||
| "Naito Porisu" (ナイト・ポリス) | "Goin' Man" | 29:00 AM |