| Mi-Ke | |
| Origin: | Japan |
| Genre: | J-Pop |
| Years Active: | –1993 |
| Label: | BMG Rooms |
| Associated Acts: | Daiko Nagato Masao Akashi Daisuke Ikeda Tetsuro Oda |
| Past Members: | Haruka Murakami Mami Watanabe Keiko Utoku |
Mi-Ke were an award-winning J-Pop idol group in the early 1990s. Formed as the chorus group for B.B.Queens under Being Inc. recording agency, they had several singles which made the music charts, and released a number of albums.
Their music and onstage image were reminiscent of the 1960s. They also did a number of cover versions of older songs (some in English, some as Japanese translations) from the Beach Boys and from British Invasion groups.
The name Mi-Ke is a Japanese phrase meaning "three colors," commonly used for multicolored cats. Costumes used in performances usually featured different colors or styles.
In the 1990s, the group debuted as back-up chorus singers in the B.B.Queens band. On 14 February 1991, they debuted with the single Omoide no Kujuukurihama. The group later went onto to win the Rookie of the Year award at various award ceremonies, including the Golden Discs Award and Nihon Record Taishou. As the first Being Inc. artists, they made their first appearance on the NHK's end of the year program Kouhaku Uta Gassen. From 1992 April until 1993 March, they were regular members of the NHK program NHK Hit Stage with total 31 broadcasts.[1] [2]
In August 1993 Keiko debuted as a soloist with single Anata no Yume no Naka Sotto Shinobikomitai. After the release of album Eien no Liverpool Sound ~ Please Please Me, Love, the group disappeared from the music scene, though Keiko continued to develop her solo career.[3] There was never any announcement of the group disbanding or any kind of hiatus.
In 2011, during the 20th anniversary of their original debut, the third compilation album Mi-Ke Golden Hits: 20th Anniversary included two previously unreleased songs. In 2012, Keiko appeared with B.B.Queens during the live special Being Legends, where, along with solo songs, she performed Mi-ke's biggest hits as well.[4] [5] Keiko has been active as a solo singer as of late 2021. Haruka currently runs her blog about plants and Mami works as an independent singer under the alias, JanMei.
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN Oricon [6] | |||
| 19 | ||
| 15 | ||
| 8 | ||
| 10 | ||
| 9 | ||
| 27 | ||
| 65 |
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN Oricon | |||
| Complete of Mi-Ke at the Being Studio |
| 110 | |
| Best of Best 1000 Mi-Ke |
| 201 | |
| Mi-ke Best Hits |
| - | |
| Mi-Ke Golden Hits: 20th Anniversary |
| 121 |
| Year | Album | Chart positions (JP) | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 5 | BMG Victor | |
| 9 | |||
| 13 | |||
| 50 | |||
| 19 | |||
| 1992 | 10 | ||
| 15 | |||
| "Pink Christmas" | 22 | ||
| 19 | |||
| 1993 | "Please Please Me, Love" | 15 |
Best New Artist Award, New Artist Award (Nomination for the Best New Artist Award)[8]