Candies (2)

Candies (キャンディーズ) was a famous Japanese idol group formed from members of the Idol entertainment group スクール・メイツ (School Mates) in 1973, their first single being "あなたに夢中" (Anata ni Muchu). Candies was composed of three girls: Ran Ito (伊藤蘭) called Ran, Yoshiko Tanaka (田中好子) called Sue and Miki Fujimura (藤村美樹) called Miki. The group was popular among young Japanese people. They had eight top 10 songs; 年下の男の子 (Toshishita no Otokonoko), 春一番 (Haru Ichiban), 夏が来た! (Natsu ga Kita!), やさしい悪魔 (Yasashii Akuma), 暑中お見舞い申し上げます (Shochuu Omimai Moshiagemasu), アン・ドゥ・トロワ (Un, Deux, Trois), わな (Wana), and 微笑がえし (Hohoemi Gaeshi). They were a representative idol group of Japan in the 1970s along with Pink Lady. In 1977, at the height of their popularity, they dropped out of the music business with the famous phrase of "普通の女の子に戻りたい" ("Futsū no onnanoko ni modoritai" "We want to return to being ordinary girls.") Their farewell concert was held at the Korakuen Stadium on April 4, 1978. A few years after leaving the industry, Ran and Sue came back as actresses. Miki returned to singing, but quit shortly after getting married. Unfortunately, Sue died from breast cancer in April 2011. In 2008, there were plans for a Candies reunion tour to celebrate 35 years since their debut and 30 years since their epic farewell concert. The tour never came about, mainly due to Sue's acting schedule and Miki's desire to remain out of the public eye for the sake of her family. However, the trio contributed pictures and essays to release a commemoration "Time Capsule" best-of album instead. However, they did not meet during production. In April 2011, after Sue's death, Ran and Miki delivered the eulogy at her funeral. Sue also left behind a recording of her final thoughts. In this recording (as well as in Miki's eulogy), it was revealed that all three members never again had the chance to reunite all at once since their disbandment, yet have somehow always desired to perform again. In 2011 the Japanese music program Music Station listed them in their Top 50 Idols of All-time based on their sale figures. They were placed no. 32, with sales exceeding 5,000,000.