Zard will be remembered as one of the defining pop acts of the '0s. Straight-ahead pop songs, positive attitude, and a refreshingly honest musical and lyrical style garnered the act multiple megahits and the adoration of a generation of pop fans for most of the decade, and contrary to most pop acts in Japan, they achieved success while skillfully avoiding frequent media appearances and the debilitating scrutiny of the public. While mostly the solo project of vocalist Izumi Sakai (born Sachiko...

Zard will be remembered as one of the defining pop acts of the '0s. Straight-ahead pop songs, positive attitude, and a refreshingly honest musical and lyrical style garnered the act multiple megahits and the adoration of a generation of pop fans for most of the decade, and contrary to most pop acts in Japan, they achieved success while skillfully avoiding frequent media appearances and the debilitating scrutiny of the public. While mostly the solo project of vocalist Izumi Sakai (born Sachiko Kamachi), Zard originated as a band in 1991. Previous to her musical career, Sakai worked as a model for companies including Sexy Shooting, Body Works, and Air System. While she achieved modest success in the modeling field, her star began really began to rise when she joined the band Zard in 1991. Zard released its debut single in February of the same year. Entitled "Good-bye My Loneliness", the song was used as the theme song to the Fuji Television drama Kekkon no riso to genjitsu and posted strong sales. Zard released its first full-length album, also entiteld Good-bye My Loneliness the following month. Zard's second album, Mo Sagasanai appeared in December of the same year. Similar to its predecessor, the record did not reach the top of the charts, but sold over 3.3 million copies, making it one of the more successful releases of the year. Zard's third album was released in September 1992. Entitled Hold Me, it was their first top ten hit, topping out at #2 on the charts. By the release of Hold Me, Zard had essentially become Sakai's solo project, with a revolving cast of musicians supporting it as necessary. It was also at this time that Zard began to limit public appearances. Despite minimal live appearances, Zard continued to release prolifically throughout the '0s, with albums of original music consistently selling over 1 million copies, including 1993's best-selling album Yureru Omoi. Zard's first original 21st century release, 2001's Jikan no Tsubasa hit the charts at #1. The tenth album of original Zard songs, Tomatte ita tokei wa ima ugokimashita was released in 2004. In addition to releasing Zard records, Sakai published several books of poetry, written lyrics for other artists, and has had her music featured in television dramas, television commercials, and several anime productions including the popular "Dragon Ball", "Detective Conan", "GT", and "Slam Dunk" series. In June, 2006, Sakai was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and was hospitalized several times over the following months. Tragedy struck again in May, 2007 when Sakai fell from a staircase landing at the hospital at which she was being treated, suffering a deadly brain contusion. at age 40. While she had not topped the charts for several years, thousands of fans across the country rushed out to purchase her records after hearing of her death, driving them back to the top of the charts and reminding us of the the massive impact she had on the world of pop music.