淡谷のり子

Noriko Awaya, Japanese female soprano, Kayōkyoku singer, chansonneuse, actress, and author. Born in Aomori, August 12, 1907. Died September 22, 1999. She trained as a classical singer, but switched to popular music in order to be able to support herself. She made her debut in 1930, and scored several major hits later in the 1930s. Awaya went on to become a pioneer of the Japanese chanson scene, and was called "ブルースの女王" (The Queen of Blues) because many of her songs had the word "Blues" in the title. Although she gave many performances for military audiences, she was also an outspoken person who regularly ran afoul of the wartime authorities. She was criticized for performing in expensive dresses, make-up and perm hair (which was not allowed during the war), and several of her songs were banned. At one occasion she sang for British and American POW's in English, which was also banned during the war.