Even in the years when there were no talents, Mr. Johnny was still doing it”… Looking back on the history of “Johnny’s” and “Kohaku”.

Toshihiko Tahara, Masahiko Kondo, and Shibukitai

In 1980 (’80), Toshihiko Tahara made his first appearance on NHK’s “Let’s Go Young” with “Aisoshideito”. The following year, in addition to Toshi, he was joined by Match and Masahiko Kondo with “Gingira Gingira Gingira ni Sasashisarete”. The next year, in 1982, Shibukitai appeared with “100%…SO maybe! The next year, in 1982, the group Shibukitai appeared at the NHK Hall with “100%…SO MAMONEE!”, winning the Best Newcomer Award at the “Record Taisho Award”, the program preceding the “Kohaku” for the third consecutive year.

Until then, they had appeared as idols in the first half of the show, but in 1958, Match was the top performer in the second half, and Toshi joined veterans such as Saburo Kitajima and Hiroshi Itsuki to sing in the last corner. After four more years of Shun, Match, and Shibugaki, Shonen-tai made their first appearance in 61 (’86).

Yuzo Kayama’s introduction “Shonen-tai no Kamen Rider! became famous that year. At New Year’s, President Janey turned to Shonen-tai and said in a good mood, “You guys, now all Japanese remember us.

Shonen-tai, Hikaru Genji, Otoko Togumi… The Golden Age Begins

In fact, when the members were announced that year, Shonen-tai’s senior members of the same type, Shibugi, were not selected because they were going to be in the group. Although there was no rule that stipulated “how many members from the same office could participate,” two days before New Year’s Eve, it was discovered that Saburo Kitajima and Joji Yamamoto, who were scheduled to participate, had attended a gang’s New Year’s party the previous year and had to withdraw from the show. Sibugitai was called in from Hawaii, where they had been on leave, to sing in costumes for the New Year’s concert, resulting in an unprecedented appearance by four groups.

The following year, however, not only Shibuki, who had saved the day, but also Toshihiko Tahara, who had participated seven times, were eliminated because of “low support among idol groups. In 1988, however, Toshichan starred in the drama “Teacher Binbin Monogatari,” and the theme song “Dakishimete Tonight” became a big hit, so he was chosen to make a comeback. However, she withdrew from the contest one week after the announcement, perhaps due to a lingering grudge from the previous year.

This year also marked the first appearance of new idols Hikaru Genji. They performed a medley of four songs, including “Glass Jyudai” and “Paradise Galaxy,” while skating on roller skates as the top batter, another unusual measure. Shonen-tai, making their third appearance, took second place in the white group. The third performer was Otoko Togumi, a junior member of the office, who was chosen to replace Tahara. The fourth place went to Match and four other Johnny’s members.

The following year, however, Match and his rumored girlfriend, Akina Nakamori, were eliminated, reportedly due to Akina’s attempted suicide in Match’s room in July. However, they held a press conference together during the backstage of “Kohaku” and said, “We have nothing to do with each other,” putting an end to their love affair. It would be eight years later when Match would next appear in “Kohaku,” and 14 years after that for Akina.