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SYLVIE AU JAPON
TO: IN JAPANESE
"BIENVENUE AU JAPON, SYLVIE VARTAN !!" - ON ARRIVAL AT TOKYO HANEDA AIRPORT 30/09/1973.
FOR HER 4TH JAPAN CONCERT TOUR : FROM 1 OCT. TO 15 OCT. 1973
SYLVIE IN HER FAVORITE YVES SAINT LAURENT PENCIL STRIPE BLOUSE + STRAW RIBBON HAT OF THE DAY.
ONE OF ICONIC LOOKS OF SYLVIE, TIMELESS SYLVIE VARTAN - "LE STYLE VARTAN."
(photo taken by Mr. Yoshihiko NAGAMINE, a fan of Sylvie who offered it to me in 1990s.)
HO OUI! C'EST BON DE VOUS REVOIR
SYLVIE, KON-BAN-WA!
Sylvie Vartan
who looks bursted with
health and joy of life in each epoch,
who's lived many times more condenced days than regular people.
Overcoming two car accidents in youth, performing abroad, experiencing many cultures,
facing music fans' higher expectations for her each professional activity. Her reputation solidly rests. Looks tireless as if a fairy or alien.
We now realize Vartan's also a human being having a finite lifespan, though 1st-class singer Sylvie Vartan's around.
We love Vartan this much: "right up to the moon - AND BACK." We should once again listen to
her that special voice, see that spirited performance, applause her
harder than ever before out of admiration.
Sylvie Vartan, authentic performer.
50th studio album 2021.
Ultimate Live 2024
Additional 2025!
・1965 1ST JAPAN TOUR + TVCM RENOWN - SONG & ANECDOTE
・ 2008 IN TOKYO ・ 2005 IN TOKYO ・ "IRRESISTIBLEMENT" 2002 REVIVAL - TIMELESS POP
・ 1995 SYLVIE VARTAN BY PIERRE ET GILLES, TOKYO ・ 1995 FESTIVAL DU FILM FRANCAIS YOKOHAMA
・ 1991 TV MUSIC PROGRAM (INTERVIEW IN PARIS)
・ SYLVIE VARTAN 1980S ・ SYLVIE VARTAN 1970S - GLORIOUS ERA OF JAPAN TOUR
SYLVIE VARTAN SWEPT JAPAN IN 1965
- THE PHENOMENAL FIRST JAPAN TOUR: 8-20 MAY 1965 - MIRACLE BEGINS !
photo below from: French photobook "SYLVIE VARTAN DANS LA LUMIERE" - 2007/XO Editions.
- Sylvie Vartan (20) with Eddie Vartan (27), her brother and musician/director of the orchestra on arrival in Tokyo.
At the press conference, Haneda International Airport (in central Tokyo) on the evening of 7 May 1965.
Having made a huge splash in music - La Plus Belle pour aller danser * (1.2 mil sales, Nov.1964 release in Japan) - Sylvie Vartan, suntanned from spending vacances, finally showed up at Tokyo Haneda International Airport (in Tokyo metropolitan area) where around 1000 fans awaited on the evening of 7 May 1965 for her 1st Japan concert tour (a part of her worldwide tour) accompanied by Eddie Vartan **. One year before The Beatles'. ***
The troup of Vartan arrived in Japan by French airplane landing at the international airport at 7:20 PM on 7 May, the previous evening of the tour. They departed on 21 May, right after the tour. (Source: ASAHI Shimbun morning edition of 8 May 1965.)
In Japan, she had a full schedule with various works, in addition to concerts throughout the nation: principal TV music programs, TVCM (one of Japanese legendary TV pubs for a major apparel, in which she sang in Japanese), interviews of magazines, other events related to the mode Vartan. She also enjoyed a little sightseeing in between.
It's an amazingly hectic itinerary of the 1965, when Sylvie Vartan gained prominence on the global music scene. She headed off from Tokyo to North America including Argentina (Buenos Aires), where Sylvie also received the grand welcome.
* La plus belle pour aller danser (written by C.Aznavour/G.Garvarentz):
An iconic single from the album SYLVIE IN NASHVILL recorded at RCA Nashville studio in 1963 (Sylvie at 19) and released almost globally including Japan, Peru, Turkey, Sweden etc. Many Japanese music fans' 1st overall impressions of the song (Sylvie Vartan) were that it was something NEW that we had never listened to.
The combination of the original music and her graceful attractive husky low voice for a young lady and absolute beauty (as the liner notes on the sleeve of Japanese vinyl describes) that are beyond space and time produced a synergistic effect. Sylvie, an innate grace.
** Eddie Vartan: Jazz musician, composer and director of Eddie Vartan Orchestra. The liner notes on the sleeve of Japanese vinyl single record LA PLUS BELLE POUR ALLER DANSER (released in Nov 1964) writes 「The arrangement and conductor of the orchestra with oppositely impressive strings are per Eddie Vartan」.
*** The Beatles : In 1964, they (age 20 to 23) were on stage at L'Olympia Paris with Sylvie Vartan (age 19) and Trini Lopez (American, age 26) from 16 January to 4 February 1964. 3-week concert of the international rising stars. (The Beatles' historical 1st visit in US only three days later.)
Their 1st/last Japan tour: 29 Jun 1966, the following year of Sylvie Vartan 1st Japan tour.
"FAIRLYLIKE CHARM" - "SYLVIE VARTAN SINGS, DANCES"
photo below : 13 MAY 1965 ARTICLE OF ASAHI SHIMBUN, Japanese major newspaper on Sylvie Vartan in Tokyo 11 May 1965: WE WERE THERE.
SYLVIE VARTAN "FAIRYLIKE CHARM"
No wonder that in Osaka Festival Hall
Eddie Vartan Orchestra (7 musicians), a rock-influenced but colorless band, performs the first part, and the second, Sylvie Vartan, who is much more than a mere singer. She is an energetic performer thoroughly leading the band and acting on the stage. Sylvie Vartan has a singular feature of being at the same time clean, pure and decadant, which is a special fascination like a rock-influenced modern "fairy."
Sylvie Vartan sang fourteen songs at once. Her most impressive interpretation was, as expected, "La plus belle pour aller danser," which has a particular feel to it and something special like sigh to it.
(That's my direct translation of the concert review of ASAHI 0f 13/05/1965.)
(Sylvie Vartan was at this music hall in Tokyo, Sankei Hall four times: on 9 (two performances), 11, 18 May 1965).
photo : Sylvie Vartan in Tokyo 1965 from the 27.08.2005 ASAHI Shimbun (major daily newspaper), article about one of Japan's legendary TV pubs since 1960s called RENOWN Wansaka-musume.Sylvie performed it at the time of her 1st Japan tour singing its Japanese fun song with an especially fresh and original tune and novel lyrics using American words: Driveway, Poolside, Tennis court, Ropeway (gondola of ski slope). It continued six (6) years with several Japanese singers as well, but in the end, the period 1965-1966 per Sylvie Vartan was the peak. (Renown, a Japanese famous apparel at the time.)
"RENOWN WANSAKA MUSUME"
UNIQUE CLASSICAL TVCM MUSIC - THRIVING 1965
TIMELESS SYLVIE VARTAN (20) FREELY SINGING IN JAPANESE
Sylvie Vartan (20) in one of Japan's most popular TV pubs ever and the most successful one for RENOWN, a majour Japanese apparel company (clothes) back then that was getting on the updraft and experiencing an economic upswing in line with the national situation. A fresh distinctive western song/music was created in 1961 for their 1st TVCM and an up-and-coming star Sylvie was the 5th singer to be asked (after four (4) Japanese predecessors). Filmed during her first visit in Japan for a nation-wide concert tour from 8 May to 20 May 1965.
It's said that in those days many TV viewers were crazy about watching Sylvie Vartan move like a dream, Sylive swaying her silky medium length straight blonde hair! "Tightly-fitted" knit top, it was her preference, said the PR of RENOWN recalling the fitting of their knit summer top. (source: * 1977 Japan tour program of Vartan, shown below.)
With the TV camera filming and staring over Sylvie (hight 168cm) - feminine, elegant, spontaneous, sunny - from head to toe, Sylvie being herself and simple looks away with a short smile, even with a moment fed-up eye!
Amazing vibrant performance of Wansaka-musume by Sylvie Vartan, in spite of a full agenda in Japan. Irresistiblement, just like her enduring iconic song (of 1968)!
Today, actually, after about six (6) decades, Sylvie Vartan always steals hearts of many Japanese people beyond generations, who find this Sylvie singing to the joyful tune in Japanese irresistible. Her looks, look, innate spontaneousnesse, grace and all are loved forever and ever. Indeed, Sylvie Vartan - an eternal natural beauty and much-loved pretty star - reveals so much charm.
It's included in :
DVD LIVE 2004 : Japanese version of "SYLVIE VARTAN AU PALAIS DES CONGRES DE PARIS 2004"
CD LIVE 1971 (reedition 2013/THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION-CD41) : "SYLVIE A TOKYO 1971"
above: screeshots of cool RENOWN TV pub 1965
TVCM song created in 1961 using English words (driveway, poolside etc), which was quite novelity at that time.
"Wansaka" (a slang word), you get very many (flood of) and "musume," girl(s) in English.
Amusing lyrics (repeating wansaka) and tune telling flock of girls wearing RENOWN clothes are everywhere year-round.
Here's my direct rough translation just to get an idea of this joyful song. Is it singable? : -
Come SPRING, on the driveway (highway/motorway) / Yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh / yeh yeh yeh yeh
Come SUMMER, at the poolside / Yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh (C'est bien !)
Renown Renown Renown Renown girls / fancy and chic Renown girls
wansaka wansaka wansaka ... / Yeh yeh yeh yeh
Come AUTUMN, on the tennis court / Yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh / yeh yeh yeh yeh
Come WINTER, in the ropeway (gondola of ski slope) / Yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh / (C'est bien!)
Renown Renown Renown Renown girls / fancy and chic Renown girls
wansaka wansaka wansaka... / Yeh yeh yeh yeh
* ANECDOTE about the costume fitting for the phenomenal TVCM with Sylvie Vartan (20) in May 1965. (told by the PR of RENOWN in Sylvie Vartan 1977 Japan tour program).On the preivous everning of the filming day, he visited Sylvie Vartan in her hotel in Tokyo with several pieces of RENOWN summer knit top. To his surprise, Sylvie threw out onto the chair every one of them once she had each of them in her hands saying : it's too large !, too large !
Actually, he had rather thought the Japanese size at that time might not be perfect for Sylvie, who is slender still tall (168 cm). Later, he found that slim fit clothing was her favorite.
Indeed, Sylvie prefers just fitted clothes. Think of her notable album live L'Olympia Paris 1970, where she sings and dances in timeless blue jean jacket and skinny bootcut patch-pocket jeans made in USA that she purchased in NYC during her long stay there in 1970.
The CM recording in the next morning and the shooting in the afternoon went all smoothly and well. As a result, it made quite a splash with audiences nationwide because of her fairy like beauty being sexy chic and cool, slim silhouette, waiving blonde hair, characteristic dynamic motion. It turned out the greatest success of the series of TVCM called RENOWN Wansaka-musume.
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photo below left : 22 May 1965 ASAHI newspaper
Today's TV programs : Sylvie Vartan on a NHK TV program - Saturday 10:10-10:40PM.
(filmed during her stay in Japan, 7 May-21 May 1965).
photo below right : 17 May 1965 ASAHI newspaper
Today's TV programs : Sylvie Vartan on a FUJI TV program - Monday 9:00-9:30PM.
(filmed during her stay in Japan, 7 May-21 May 1965).
Sylvie Vartan and Eddie Vartan Orchestra were invited to a very popular music program
and she sang four songs including "La plus belle pour aller danser" and "La vie sans toi."
- 22.05.1965 ASAHI Shimbun (major news paper) Saturday evening edition.
A half-page daily newspaper advertisement of SEIBU Departmet store where clothes of Look Sylvie were sold. Sylvie Vartan visited there during her stay in Japan.
photo above left: Single record "LA PLUS BELLE POUR ALLER DANSER," Japanese verson released Nov. 1964 - Sylvie Vartan in her iconic SONIA RYKIEL. It specifies as "Original soudtrack featured in the film CHERCHEZ L'IDOLE" (1964). That's where comes from the Japanese song title (Cherchez L'idole), which was a part of marketing strategy of RCA Japan.)
right: "YOUR IDOL," Japanese original album 1965, RCA Japan special edition released before her 1st Japan Tour to mark the event. (photo of the jacket: Sylvie Vartan, perhaps 1963 , between 18 and 19 years old.)
photo : 15 NOV 1964 (Sunday) ARTICLE of ASAHI Shimbun, Japanese major newspaper: Sylvie Vartan of the "La plus belle pour aller danser (Cherchez L'Idole)" -
"HOTTEST TOP STAR SINGER IN PARIS"
It's an article of the major daily newspaper ASAHI published in the previous year of Sylvie Vartan's first visit in Japan. The first line shows her personal data including her weight, measurements, color of hair and eyes!
It reports the popularity in France of 19-year-old rising star Sylvie Vartan. She represents the emerging Rock-influenced new style of music, which is rapidly replacing the French traditional music "Chanson."
It also says Sylvie is in her sencond movie "PATATE" performing with Jean Marais and that she signed three movie deals with a Hollywood-based production.
right/ 30 APR 1964 ARTICLE of YOMIURI Shimbun (one of Japanese 3 major newspapers) - New Albums Coming in MAY.
"SYLVIE" of Sylvie Vartan and "She Loves You" of The Beatles, to name good albums of young artists. "Sutekina VARTAN," (Japanese version of the french album "SYLVIE," which you get "Cracking/fantastic VARTAN.")
Sylvie Vartan - a 19-year old rising star in France, born in Bulgaria - sings with a punchy voice. This "sutekina," (cracking in english) beautiful and pretty singer has a lot of pure and innocent sexuality; the type of singer we never find anywhere in Japan.
("SYLVIE" - First album of Sylvie (18) published in Nov. 1962 in France includes "Le Locomotion, " "Tous Mes Copains" among others.)
SYLVIE VARTAN IN TOKYO 2008 - CONCERTS
SYLVIE VARTAN 14TH JAPAN CONCERT TOUR - 28/30 MARCH 2008, ORCHARD HALL (SHIBUYA, TOKYO)
IMPRESSIVE SYLVIE VARTAN - AFTER THE DYNAMIC SHOW (ORCHARD HALL)
Sylvie responds to requests from fans for her autograph. She has such a gentle way about her. Elegance.
(photo by: P-O Onno, my friend)
SYLVIE VARTAN IN TOKYO 2005 - TV INTERVIEW
SYLVIE VARTAN 13TH JAPAN CONCERT TOUR - 26/27 MARCH 2005, ORCHARD HALL (SHIBUYA, TOKYO)
photo/ capture Japanese TV/Sylvie Vartan in Tokyo in 2005.
In March 2005, a couple of years after a phenomenal revival of her successful song IRRESISTIBLEMENT (1968 recording/ late-1970 hit tune in Japan), Sylvie Vartan came on tour to Japan for two performances in Orchard Hall, Tokyo, following grand concerts at Palais des Congres de Paris. Sylvie also did media interviews including TV.
The photos (above, left) are per TV screen capturing. I missed, however, a beautiful microexpression of Sylvie Vartan. I loved the moment when she appeared and greeted us; Sylvie Vartan emitted in first something lovely and spirited in a sweet smile. And there is always something noble as a whole about Sylvie Vartan, a gorgeous star as ever in chic silky black suit. She has long legs and a particularly beautiful posture. Perhaps many her fans notice how she is standing, also from many photographs in her young days and today.
Sylvie Vartan laughed in that husky voice in amusement as the TV camera started filming her silhouette from foot to head (see the photo left) , almost in the same way as the 1965 TVCM for Renown, once she showed up before the camera. Then, Sylvie smiled and said hello to the audiences in French and then Japanese:
Bonjour, Nihon no minasan, konnichiwa, Sylvie Vartan desu.
Her presence in Japan, her making an in-person chic appearance on TV (or radio), her words and her Japanese in person seem worth more than all.
photos: capture Japanese TV - Sylvie Vartan Concert live in Tokyo 2005 (in a feather dress per CHANEL/Karl Lagerfeld).
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"IRRESISTIBLEMENT" REVIVAL IN 2002
- TIMELESS FRENCH POP OF 1968-1971
In 2002, "Irresistiblement," one of immortal classic pop standards of Sylvie Vartan took Japan again by storm for months with the sales peak in April. A movie about one summer of high-school students and TVCM triggered the popularity of the song. It is her 1968/1969 major hit in France and Italy (Sylvie, age 24) ; from Nov. 1970 to the early summer 1971 in Japan following another veritable big splash "Les Homme qui n'ont plus rien a perdre"(1970), all-time favorites of Japanese music fans, together with "La Plus Belle" (1965).
Looking back 2002, "Irresistiblement," was everywhere in the streets of Tokyo, at record shops, departmentstores, restaurants, convenience stores etc., which seemed to be burst with vitality. For me, it was a surprise brief moment of joy, a breath of fresh air and fresh oxygen especially on long weekdays (though I listen to her latest songs at home). The dreamy husky voice and high notes of her youth in the phrase "irresistiblement" echo. Unspeakably positive and fantastic piece of music as if we were being taken into another dimension.
One very timely compilation consisted of several worldwide artists' hit tunes including "Irresistiblement" as well as two compilation albums of Vartan (released 1998/2002) became veritable huge commercial success with an enormous popularity of "Irresistiblement" regardless of age.
At least one (1) million CD featuring the hot song are reportedly sold. Actually, at that time, unfortunately, from what I often saw on the Internet, many new fans including adolescents of "Irresistiblement" who had no idea who sings it and even in what language were confused about what and which album to get after "Irresistiblement."
photo above: Japanese single record "Irresistiblement" of Sylvie Vartan, released in Nov.1970 (with jacket photo: Sylvie in 1965).
1968 original recording of "Irresistiblement" has incomparable freshness of sound with tambourine besides Sylvie Vartan's stretched unconstrained magical husky voice with a bit of melancholy tone and the remarkable prolonged high notes (in the phrase "irresistiblement" ). An eternal stirring piece like a magic bringing energy and impetus and all that to listeners.
In 2002, "Best of Sylvie Vartan (1998)" entered the album charts (overall rank) of Japan's famous ORICON charts eleven weeks and at the highest rank No.19, as far as I know. (In Feb. 1971, the single went to No.18 in the Top Music of ORICON.) (Oricon, Japanese established sales research firm)
photo/ article published in Japanese major daily newspaper ASAHI 10/05/2002 on popularity of Sylvie Vartan and success of the album. Brief translation.
"The Best of Sylvie Vartan" (released Nov. 1998, BMG Japan) being currently ranked high in the ORICON (*) music charts. The disk includes the "Irresistiblement," a kind of music in which sophistication and bustle coexist with remarkable sound of tambourine and all that. Apparently people find it fresh and new.
New disk "Irresistiblement Sylvie Vartan Best Collection"with more numbers is coming out end of May 2002."
( * ORICON music charts: Japanese established research firm ORICON Inc. offer since 1968, ranking all the best performing singles/albums.)
with cover photo of Sylvie Vartan wearing her iconic blue hat in Aug 1965, just before her birthday of 21 years old.
photos below (capture of my PC scree of HMV web site) - HMV World music bestseller charts in 2002.
26/06/2002 - Shakira leads , 17/04/2002 - Sylvie in the lead in April.
Japanese radio programes continue to put on air "Irresistiblement" (Sylvie Vartan's 1968 original recording), one of classic pop standards, especially since then in regular rotation, for good or bad. It's an evidence for the popularity of this piece among young people, that is, beyond generations (from young teenager to about the same generatoin as the artist) in a timeless way. It seems that original recording of both "La Plus Belle Pour Aller Dancer" and "Irresistiblement" never lack in freshness and touch all ages.
In fact, two compilations "Best of Sylvie Vartan" came out in 2002 are longtime bestsellers and continue to often rank very well in Pop music as well as World music best sellers Top 100 of Amazon Japan as of January 2022; it will continue forever.
Photos below: the two longtime bestsellers of Sylvie Vartan released 05/2002 (left below) white-themed simply fresh and sophisticated design accented with the shape of a heart using an old photo of Sylvie (17) and 10/2002 (right below) at a more reasonable price for Vartan's CD, with a photo of Sylvie (age 19/around 1963), angel of a girl.
"Irresistiblement Sylvie Vartan Best Collection" (22/05/2002, BMG Japan)
"Sylvie Vartan Les annees RCA" (2004 Japanese version)
"Irresistiblement/60s BEST" (left) , "Caro Mozart/70s BEST" (right)
(25/11/2009, RCA Sony Music Japan)
"Irresistiblement" - CD single, 1988
1. Irresistiblment / 2. La Plus Belle (Produced by Richie Wise) (Scotti Brothers Records, Inc. / Pony Canyon Inc., Japan)
photo above: CD outside / inside
Longbefore 2002, in 1987, IRRESISTIBLEMENT was used for a TVCM for CANON's highly advanced EOS 650
(the 1st of CANON's SLR/Autofocus 35mm-format camera, on sale in March 1987)
and became popular, which lead to this retake of her classic songs for a CD single.
Sylvie Vartan with a kind of American provocative look, photographed in 1985 by Michael Childers.
Irresistiblement with a big-beat; La Plus Belle with a sort of perfection and monotony, to my eyes.
"ICE LADY" - SYLVIE VARTAN - GINZA, TOKYO 1995
Exhibition of Pierre et Gilles - new art works featuring their favorite Pop Stars such as Sylvie Vartan, Brigitte Bardot etc.
Two pieces of 1994 with Sylvie Vartan shown such as "Ice Lady"("La Dame en Rouge"), "Nuit et Neige".
"Ice Lady" in a fabulous clear plastic frame, the best displayed piece in the gallery, was priced one million yen.
I went to see it the first day, almost right after the 3eme Festival du Film Francais Yokohama (15 June to 18 June 1995).
At the Ginza Art Space (produced by Shiseido), Ginza Tokyo
From 20/6/1995 to 30/7/1995
"Ice Lady" / "La Dame en Rouge" (Sylvie Vartan 1994)
"L'ANGE NOIR" SYLVIE VARTAN 1995
- 3eme FESTIVAL DU FILM FRANCAIS YOKOHAMA 1995
poster of the film L'ANGE NOIR, Sylvie Vartan (dress by Gianfranco Ferre/Christian Dior)
actress, Jean-Claude Brisseau and Sylvie Vartan.
Sylvie Vartan came to Japan in Jun 1995 (after her concert at Casino de Paris in Feb.) to present her first movie "L'Ange Noir" (Black angel) in the 3eme Festival du Film Francais Yokohama, heading the french delegation.
Event site/ Pacifico Yokohama - Conference Center's main hall of 1004 seats
(a short 30-miniute train ride from Tokyo)
From 15/6/1995 to 18/6/1995
Mystery film starring Sylvie Vartan, who is far from dirty or unfaithful image, it seemed to have caused a bit of a stir. "L'Ange Noir", the closing movie of the festival, shown on 18 Jun at 19:00.
Sylvie Vartan, fresh and perfect beauty dressed all in chic white, and film director Jean-Claude Brisseau made a speech and had a question-and-answer session before showing the movie. Finally, after the film, there was another event, autograph session outside the huge hall.
Here are autographs of Sylvie Vartan, Tony Scotti, Jean-Claude Brisseau that I obtained in the programme , after standing in long queues with my heart pounding, on 18 June 1995 : -
below/ Article publishe in the Japanese major daily newspaper ASAHI 14/6/1995.
below/ Ad.(13x17cm) for AERA (daily newspaper ASAHI's popular photography weekly magazine) in the newspaper ASAHI 27/11/1995.
We saw the larger color ad. so many on the train/subways in Tokyo that I even kept a few of them!
below/ Sylvie Vartan in Japan/AERA (daily newspaper ASAHI's weekly magazine) 04/12/1995 Sylvie covered.
June 1995 Interview of Sylvie Vartan in Japan
Indeed, early 1990s, especially 1993/1995 were fulfilling years for Sylvie Vartan, who was brilliant and looked amazingly beautiful.
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SYLVIE VARTAN IN JAPANESE TV MUSIC PROGRAM (JAN. 1991)
TV Tokyo interviewed Sylvie Vartan at her residence in Paris in end-September 1990 for their TV program MUSIC MY LOVE (WORLD TALK & MUSIC).
It was the time just before Sylvie was leaving for Bulgaria for the 1st unique concert in Sofia, the birthplace where Sylvie lived for around seven years. (Sylvie Vartan Live in Sofia: CD Live - Enregistrement Public a Sofia le 6 octobre 1990)
In the end, when asked what music means to her, Sylvie Vartan said : Passion !
TV Tokyo broadcasted on 11 January 1991 (PM 10:30-11:00)
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SYLVIE VARTAN IN JAPAN - THE 1980S (EVENTS & TOURS)
SYLVIE VARTAN JAPAN TOUR 1984
Sylvie Vartan had lots of activities in Japan in 1984 including opening of her dance studio in Tokyo ( * ) , TVCM for Coca-Cola Light (diet), appearance on TV (music program of NHK), concert tour. * PRINTEMPS GINZA opened 27 April 1984 in Ginza, Tokyo
JAPAN TOUR 1984 DATES :
25 April : Hotel Pacific Tokyo (dinner & a show)
26 April : Osaka Festival Hall
27 April : Kyoto Kaikan Daiichi Hall
30 April : Nakano Sunplaza (Tokyo) (2 performances: matinee & evening)
(promotor: Kyodo Tokyo Inc.)
photo: 30.04.1984, Sylvie Vartan leaving Nakano Sunplaza (Tokyo).
She had a superb beautiful mini bouquet of gardenia flower. Gardenia (a fragrant silky white blossom), her favorite.
* * *
SYLVIE VARTAN JAPAN TOUR 1983
TOUR 1983 DATES :
30 June : Nagoya city hall
2 July : Osaka Kosei Nenkin Kaikan Hall
3 - 4 July : Nakano Sunplaza Hall (Tokyo)
photo: Sylvie Vartan, leaving Nakano Sunplaza (Tokyo).
She was holding a flower bouquet. Fans were there to see her off, some calling her name: Sylvie, Sylvie!
THE 10TH TOKYO MUSIC FESTIVAL (MARCH 1981)
photo left - Sylvie Vartan in Tokyo on Friday 27 March 1981, the eve of The 10th anniversary of Tokyo Music Festival, in which singers from all over the world perticipated and 15 finalists performed at the Nippon Budokan on Sunday 29 March that TV broadcated (TBS 3-hour program/19:00-22:00).
Sylvie was invited as one of the judges that include Engelbert Humperdinck, Tony Scotti from America among others. Stevie Wonder and Perry Como were also present as special guests to sing.
It was the time Sylvie Vartan was busy preparing her grand concert at Palais de Sports in Paris (23 Nov.1981 to 3 Jan.1982). Sylvie Vartan, someone who has good fortune in her life. Sylvie (36) met her destiny Tony Scotti (41) in the Far East, soon after the divorce (Nov 1980). Sylvie and Tony were married in June 1984 in Los Angeles.
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SYLVIE VARTAN JAPAN TOUR GOLDEN ERA - THE 1970S
- Most active epoch creating fame and robust popularity in Japan.
POPULARITY & VITALITY OF SYLVIE !
The same as in France, Sylvie with her troop actively and energetically devoted to her musical activities across Japanese archipelago from Hokkaido to Okinawa for weeks. Her Japan tour was not one or few lives at a mega venue; all performances in the main concert halls of the cities at that time. (the total number of seats: 2000 and several hundreds). Sylvie sometimes traveled around the archipelago a lot, singing in the north at one night and then in the south the next day. Glorious and superb Sylvie Vartan.
25 MAY - 17 JUN 1978
Sylvie Vartan Palais des Congres de Paris 1977, Japanese version released in 1978 to mark the Japan tour. (photograph par Helmut Newton/1920-2004)
left: Column MUSIC/about the album live in Paris 1977 - Spectacle of Fairy of Paris, as if looking through a kaleidoscope.
right: Column STAGE (live in Osaka)/ Visual, Sylvie Vartan show.
Critique of the concert in Osaka on 30 May 1978 at Osaka Koseinenkin-kaikan:
Very poor quality of PA (public address) was to the point of losing enthusiasm for listening. Apart from the audio image, the Sylvie Vartan Show where Sylvie performs with talented dancers was worth looking at. The medley including La Plus Belle was most applauded by the audience, yet L'amour Comme Les Bateaux and Don't Leave Me (*) definitely deserved huge applause. Sylvie Vartan could make it this far also because of mature age today.
( * Don't Leave Me This Way: the recording of an American singer Thelma Houston (1946-) in 1976 - Grammy award for best female R&B vocal performance - from her album Any Way You Like It on the Motown label.)
The article speaks of the concert ad with Sylvie in the superb leopard print Bob Mackie in the streets of Osaka. It was the case in Tokyo too; I remember the small rectangular banners set up on the tall lampposts along the Ginza avenue, fanciest commercial district of Tokyo.
photo/video capture :Sylvie Vartan Palais des Congres de Paris. Sylvie in the middle performing Le Temps Du Swing (House Of Swing)
Sylvie Vartan's 2nd longrun grand concert : 7 Oct-9 Nov 1977, 20 Mar- 2 Apr 1978
Myself, I went to the concert at Shinjuku-Koseinenkin-kaikan, Tokyo, where Johnny Hallyday was with a Japanese couple of celebrities, one is a musicien/singer and the other one of the most successful lyricists of the time who wrote Japanese words of La Maritza of Sylvie Vartan. Three of them sit in the center seats of the very front row. I believe my sister and myself were also at the front since we pulled our foot in so that J.Hallyday in jeans and jacket walked through to his place. His visage seemed to look a bit scary. On the other hand, he beamed at Sylvie once she gave him a warm smile from the stage while singing Le Temps Du Swing (House Of Swing) (the scene like the photo left).
Sylvie immersed us in Dancing Star, the most remarkable scene that Sylvie and dancers all in silky white costumes performed dynamically tirelessly as if fairy and butterflies. Sylvie Vartan having life and spirit and displaying such a beautiful expression - a natural innate beauty of Vartan - in every single moment, which we marveled at.
7 FEB - 28 FEB 1977
Qu'est-ce qui fait pleurer les brondes? - Palais Des Congres 1975 (Oct 1975/release 1976) - La Maritza/La drole de fin (Single, release to mark the tour.)
I saw the concert in Tokyo, maybe in Shinjuku. The image of Sylvie Vartan in the white dress with large pelerine flying away in the air as she came on stage from the side often comes up in mind. Because her profile with an irresistibly beautiful smile and her special liveliness in that dress was a forever fascination as a whole.
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1 OCT - 23 OCT 1974
Album 1974 of Sylvie Vartan "L'AMOUR AU DIAPASON" released to mark the Japan tour.
RCA France re-edit and release the albums (color vynil LP) to mark SYLVIE VARTAN 60TH ACTIVE STAGE CAREER. (This one on 2 Feb 2022)
Tokyo (4), Osaka (2), Fukuoka (Kyushu), Kyoto, Kobe, Tokushima (Shikoku), Nagoya, Gifu, Toyama, Wakayama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Chiba, Niigata, Kitami (Hokkaido), Sapporo (Hokkaido).
above/below left: The concert program/ below right: the flyer (constume : Yves Saint Laurent)
A N E C D O T E -
"NON, JE NE SUIS PLUS LA MEME" - The concert program reveals that Sylvie was repeatedly singing this original song of 1973 in the rehearsal and that she told she often happened to sing it also at home in Paris.
We often listened to this hit song on the radio. An impressive instrumental sound twinkling like stars stays with me always; both music and her singing voice are soul-stirring, which never get old.
"LA REINE DE SABA," another album of Sylvie Vartan, which Sylvie exclusively recorded in responding to RCA Japan poposal, was put on the market soon after this Japan tour.
SYLVIE VARTAN (29) 4TH JAPAN CONCERT TOUR 1973
2 OCT - 14 OCT 1973
Hit tune : "Non Je ne suis plus la meme"
"SYLVIE VARTAN ANTHOLOGY" Deluxe Edition - Two volumes (vol.1/2, each 25 songs/double album)
Quality products of RCA Victor Japan's special project to mark Sylvie Vartan Japan Tour 1973
and 10th anniversary of her debut in Japan. (photo left/right: Sylvie 1964/around 1967)
Albums: left/ "Non je ne suis plus la meme" released to mark Sylvie Vartan Japan Tour 1973. (photo: Sylvie Vartan early 1968)
right/ "Sylvie Vartan Live in Japan 1973" - Sylvie Vartan in Yves Saint Laurent.
photos below : Sylvie Vartan arrives at Tokyo Haneda Airport in end-Sept. 1973, wearing a pencil stripe blouse (YSL).
A N E C D O T E -
Sylvie on arrival at Tokyo Haneda Airport. These photos taken by Mr. Y.Nagamine, a fan of Sylvie (who offered them to me around 1996). That is, he took with him 5 autograph cards (signature boards) to the airport. (Those boards including for his friends who were also passionates of Sylvie.)
When asked, lovely Sylvie said something (in English or French) and then gave autograph on all of them for him, even right after her long trip from Europe !! Indeed "Irresistiblement" Sylvie !!
We acknowledge Sylvie is a natural person, who has such a soft and gentle way about her.
Sylvie Vartan in fabulous costumes by YSL. Photos in the middle: in a famous jumpsuit that was made to correspond with
the hight point of L'Olympia Paris 1972 where she danced to "SHAFT."
Sylvie Vartan's costumes by YSL. His dessins in the museum in Paris: Musee Yves Saint-Laurent Paris.
above/below: Concert program of Sylvie Vartan Japan Tour 1973.
The flyer (two-sided) for concerts in Kyoto and Kobe of Sylvie Vartan Japan Tour 1973.
9 Oct 1973 interview article (Japanese major newpaper Yomiuri, evening edition) - 4th Japan tour of Sylvie Vartan -Interviewed in Nagoya.
9 Oct 1973 interview article (Japanese major newpaper Mainichi, evening edition) - 4th Japan tour of Sylvie Vartan; her career spans 10 years.
The article mentions the two Double Album 1973 SYLVIE VARTAN ANTHOLOGY - (album vol.1/2, each with 25 songs) of RCA Victor Japan's exclusive project, for whick
RCA sales team passionately run an amazingly successful PR campaign wearing T-shirt with logo SYLVIE VARTAN and portrait of Sylvie Vartan.
The article is closed with : Her stage costumes are per Yve Saint-Laurent. Sylvie Vartan, a slim silhouette and a best-dressed woman.
SYLVIE VARTAN (27) 3RD JAPAN CONCERT TOUR 1972
9 MAY - 29 MAY 1972
Hit tune at that time : "Caro Mozart"
Album: "Caro Mozart" released to commemorate Sylvie Vartan Japan Tour 1972.
Sylvie Vartan arrived in Tokyo on 8 May 1971, the previous day of the tour and left 30 May, the next day of the final performance, having a hectic schedule as usual.
Many cities welcomed Sylvie Vartan: Tokyo, Fujisawa (Kanagawa), Sendai, Niigata, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Wakayama, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Hiroshima. Kokura (Kyushu).
photos above: Sylvie Vartan 1972 Japan concert tour program
SYLVIE VARTAN (26) 2ND JAPAN CONCERT TOUR 1971
9 MAY - 26 MAY 1971
Her 2nd Japan tour May 1971 since May 1965, after a long absence of 6 years, yet timely visit soon after consecutive huge successes in Japan.
"Les Hommes qui n'ont plus rien a perdre" and "Irresistiblement." Sylvie also presented "Me And Bobby McGee" (Janis Joplin 01/1943-10/1970).
above: FRENCH CD re-edition in 2012. "Sylvie A Tokyo 1971" - Costume of Sylvie Vartan: Yves Saint Laurent.
below: SYLVIE A TOKYO 1971 (two versions) - JAPANESE LP (Recorded on 21 May 1971 at Shinjuku Koseinenkin Kaikan Hall)
photos above ( * ) : Sylvie Vartan (26) just arrived in Tokyo, at Haneda International Airport (central Tokyo) on 8 May 1971, the previous day of the tour just like her 1st Japan Tour in May 1965, after a long interval of six years. Iconic look of smiley Sylvie Vartan in her favorite white ruffled-collar blouse, with Carlos (her ex-secretary and friend).
* It is in the programe of Sylvie Vartan 14th Japan concert tour 2008, on which autographs of Sylvie Vartan and Tony Scotti, which I got after the show at Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Shibuya TOKYO 30/03/2008.
photo left: inside the concert program 1971.
Bonjour, Smile after six years' absence.
Photo (a Japansese magazine article) : Sylvie Vartan just arrived in Japan!
during a press conference (at the Tokyo Haneda International Airport)
Boy, it's been about half a century since then and Sylvie Vartan always sings and goes on the road. That's something exceptional.
"SYLVIE A TOKYO 1971 " - JAPAN TOUR IN MAY 1971 (Audio from the CD LIVE)
"Me and Bobby McGee" (of Janis Joplin 01/1943-10/1970)
Magazine article: left/ Sylvie Vartan sings in dress by YSL, right below/ At the concert venue in Tokyo with fans.