The album sold well and the whole project was a huge success. As a producer, Shinichi Iwahashi is noteworthy not only for his vision or production ability.
In Kitagawa's view, what deserves more attention is his ability to do things.
The industry has never been short of visionary and talented producers who can successfully produce idols or bands. However, the recording industry can let go of differences and make projects succeed and end successfully. Not only that, but also
He himself and the record company he runs have all benefited from it. To be able to do it to such an extent at such a young age is definitely a figure.
Kitagawa Kaguya had heard of Shinichi Iwahashi a long time ago. This person was born in Watanabe Productions and focused on producing female idols and bands. He also worked as a manager for Shinichi Mori, and he must have a close relationship with the enka school.
The male idol market is dominated by Johnny's, unlike the female idol market where everyone is competing.
Kitagawa Kaguya has regular cooperation with major record companies and big-name producers. Iwahashi Shinichi does not create, and his record company is only about the size of a sesame mung bean. With Kitagawa Kaguya's style of pursuing safety in music, it is hard to find a partner to cooperate with.
to him.
When he took the lead in planning the album, Kitagawa heard about it, but didn't take it seriously. The courage he showed in the EHEARTS incident at THEB had nothing to do with Johnny.
If it hadn't been for this little incident between Morohoshi and SMAP, which prompted Kitagawa Kaguya to investigate the identity of the giraffe man, Iwahashi Shinichi wouldn't have caught his eye.
Immediately after learning the identity of the giraffe man, there was news that the planned album would initially sell 580,000 copies.
The planned single was a hit, and even the has-been singers who were involved in it were able to regain the top five on the list. After the single was released, the album that was released immediately after it was also a great success. Industry insiders, Kitagawa Kaguya also has to say something
admire.
At this point, looking back at what Iwahashi Shinichi did in this project, from the selection of people, to the advertising plan, and the order of release, and finally the way the album is released, all are intertwined and under his control.
among.
Kitagawa Suo even suspected that the THEB EHEARTS incident that made Iwahashi Shinichi famous and made GENZO join the Recording Association was also deliberately planned by him, and he deliberately made it public during the promotion period of the plan, making it a part of the plan.
If it is true as Kitagawa Kaguo speculated, then people have to pay attention to Shinichi Iwahashi's scheme.
With the project concluded like this, Shinichi Iwahashi's position in the industry is secure.
Not only that, while he made a lot of money from the distribution rights of this album, he also made the companies involved in the project not dissatisfied with him, and accumulated a lot of contacts and reputation. In addition, his record company also took advantage of the
This project successfully promoted the new band Wave LAN...
He is even the producer of the most popular band DREAM.
From the very beginning of Band Heaven to the present, the rise of this band trend can be said to be caused by this young man. Not only that, he is also ambitious to make the band trend even stronger.
For a young man who is not even twenty-five years old, Kitagawa Kuo can no longer remain indifferent to this level.
I am even more fortunate that the children at SMAP are clear-minded.
Whether Morohoshi and Kiji made the SMAP children do such a thing was just a simple prank, or whether they had other unspeakable motives, it is not impossible for an old man like Kitagawa Kaguya to guess.
As a junior, it is nothing if you are beaten and bossed around by your seniors. However, as a senior, it is still too dirty to cut off the career path of your juniors.
A flamboyant personality and indulgent behavior are not problems for Kitagawa. Anyway, with Johnny's power, it is easy to cover up scandals in his private life.
However, having such thoughts about the juniors in the company shows that you have no gratitude for the company and you are not a kind person.
If Kazuki Morohoshi really succeeds and lets the giraffe man take off his hood backstage at the Kohaku Utakara, then this matter will really be unsolvable no matter what. He is so young and has such a deep scheming character, Kitagawa Kaguo is not willing to deal with him like this
People turn against each other.
It's the right thing to make friends with.
Under such circumstances, it may be just the right time to find out that the giraffe man in DREAM's T-shirt and breasts is Shinichi Iwahashi.
Whether it was out of the desire to befriend Shinichi Iwahashi, a promising record practitioner, in advance, or for other purposes, Kitagawa Kaguya conveyed his desire to get to know Shinichi Iwahashi through an independent director he was familiar with at Sony.
mean.
…
Iwahashi Shin has been in the limelight time and time again. In front of the old guy like Kitagawa Gao who has been stomping around in the industry for decades, he is also a nobody with no pedigree.
After receiving such an invitation, there is definitely no second answer.
No matter whether Kitagawa Hiroshi wants to ask him to make a male idol, or simply wants to invite him to have a cup of tea. Or maybe he suddenly wants to invite him to take on another role, debut as a male idol at an advanced age, and become the male version of Topo Star who took Heisei by storm.
…
Anyway, let’s meet in person first.
Anyway, there is no harm in getting to know more people. Opportunities are hidden in acquaintances.
After the matter was settled, the two parties agreed on a time and place to meet and have a meal together.
Shinichi Iwahashi, the man in black behind the scenes, although he does not appear to the public very often, he still accepts interviews and binds his name to projects to increase his reputation. On the last day of last year, he even went on TV openly to increase his sense of presence.
Being able to say right and not show up unless necessary, rather than being repelled from standing in front of the stage.
But this Kitagawa Kaguya actually implements the tenet of "people in black behind the scenes cannot be on the stage". He is mysterious and never appears in public.
This is said to be due to the low-key style of Watanabe Manyumi's father.
Kitagawa was born in the United States in 1931. He lived in a forced internment camp in the United States during the war. After the war, he worked as a translator at the U.S. Embassy in Japan. He went to college and participated in the North-South War. He worked as an entertainer and later ran an idol business.
The richness of life experience can be called the true saying "I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice".
In terms of age, Kitagawa Hiroshi is thirty-five years older than Iwahashi Shinichi. They are not the same generation at all. On the contrary, Kitagawa Marie's daughter Keiko, Kitagawa Hiroshi's niece, is the same age as Iwahashi Shinichi.
Apart from the well-known resume on the table, Iwahashi Shinichi knew nothing about Kitagawa Gao. However, he relaxed and just went to the appointment. What he wanted to meet was such a cunning and experienced person, and little cleverness could not be used.
use.
Iwahashi Shinichi decided on a strategy early, arrived on time, and responded candidly.
…
Kitagawa Kaguya is short in stature, but not shriveled. He has dyed curly hair and looks more than ten years younger than his actual age. Although his appearance is not stern, he has a pair of calm and calm eyes, from which we can get a glimpse of his palace.
point.
Iwahashi Shinichi bowed and said hello, "Jennisan."
Kitagawa extended his hand and said, "First time we meet, Iwahashi-kun."
The two sides shook hands.
The people accompanying Kitagawa Kazuo also exchanged greetings with Shinichi Iwahashi.
During the meal, in addition to Shinichi Iwahashi and Kaguya Kitagawa, there were also the public relations director of Johnny & Associates, Tetsu Shirami, and the consultant of Johnny & Associates, Riuzo Kosugi.
The names of these two figures were familiar to Shinichi Iwahashi.
One is a public relations talent poached by Kitagawa Kaguya when he became independent, a figure that Watanabe Wanyumi both admires and dislikes. As for the other... Having seen Kosugi Riuzo's vicious behavior, Iwahashi Shinichi found it hard to look down on him.
.
It's normal to be scheming, and it's also common for people to be less than aboveboard in their methods. But being so vicious and nasty is still disgraceful.
Of course, in the plastics industry, face-saving matters can never be compromised.
When we met for the first time, Kitagawa Kuo brought such two figures to accompany him, which gave him a lot of face. Although Shiranase Kei and Kosugi Riuzo are both middle-aged people in their forties.
An old man entertained a guest, accompanied by two uncles. The recipient of the banquet was a young man in his twenties.
But Shinichi Iwahashi is a member of the Recording Association and a famous producer. When it comes to status, age is not important.
Not counting Riuzo Kosugi, Kaguo Kitagawa, Kei Shiranase, and Shinichi Iwahashi, all three of them have worked for Watanabe Productions, and all of them left Watanabe Productions to become independent. To a certain extent, they can be regarded as
What they have in common?
However, Kitagawa Kaguo was a part-time job thief, and both Watanabe Shin and his wife knew that, as for Iwahashi Shinichi, he is still working with Watanabe Manyumi. To be honest, only Shiranase Kei "chooses the best tree to live on."
But today, Johnny & Associates is one of the best in the industry. As a public relations talent, Shiranase Ke, is backed by Johnny's power, and he is like a fish in water. He is Kitagawa Kaguya's right-hand man.
Once you become successful, the past stories of how you got rich not only don't matter, they can even be considered interesting stories.
"Congratulations, Iwahashi-kun, for being able to pull off such a seamless project." The person who spoke was Kosugi Riuzo.
Riuzo Kosugi started out as a music producer, and then transitioned from a music producer. Six years ago, he served as the president of the music office owned by Tatsuro Yamashita, and also served as a consultant to Johnny & Associates. In terms of background, he is a "
"Producer", Riuzo Kosugi thinks he has the most conversation with Shinichi Iwahashi.
"It was only possible to accomplish this thanks to the generous help from all parties in the industry." Shinichi Iwahashi was modest.
Shiratami smiled, "Iwahashi-kun doesn't need to be overly modest with his talent in mobilizing generous help from all parties in the industry."
Kitagawa watched with cold eyes, and waited for the two companions to finish speaking before adding, "The pride shown by talented people is a kind of charm."
His tone was unhurried, and Iwahashi Shinichi heard it and showed a "taught" smile. But deep down, he was not willing to be praised as charming by such an enigmatic person.
"The band trend is on the rise."
Kitagawa didn't really want to use his words to praise the rising star and make meaningless greetings. The words of greetings and compliments were said by the two companions, so he took over and slowly began to get to the point.
"Right now, the market for bands is indeed very promising," Shinichi Iwahashi echoed.
Kitagawa mentioned the past, "Before I led the boys on the baseball team to form a group and explore what it means to be an 'idol', I also formed a band. At that time, jazz bands were very popular, and there were jazz restaurants everywhere in Tokyo. I performed in them for an hour.
, I can get one hundred and fifty yen.”
Iwahashi Shinichi listened silently.
"Although, now there is a trend of 'Idols are idols, and bands are bands'. Idol bands are not supported by the public..." Kitagawa paused for a moment.
What I’m talking about here is the male Douho group that reached the peak of popularity when they debuted, but was quickly crushed by the powerful bands in the coming wave of bands, and was abandoned by the public who were tired of the showy idols.
Iwahashi Shinichi knew it all.
"However," Kitagawa said again, "I always believe that bands and idols have many things in common and should not be separated."
The pause just now seemed to be just the time left for Shinichi Iwahashi to recall the "Old Douhu Group".
Although the old man Sei Kawaguo remained calm, he firmly controlled the rhythm of the conversation in his own hands. However, Shinichi Iwahashi had no intention of showing off himself on this occasion, so he just let him lead the way.
That’s okay too.
"I still haven't given up on the 'idol band', and I won't give up."
Kitagawa said about his plans, "Iwahashi-kun is a master of band production. Not only that, but being able to produce an album that breaks the boundaries between different genres must be better than anyone else who doesn't care about the differences between idols and bands."
Therefore, he wanted to ask Shinichi Iwahashi to help him create an idol band.
"Does your office want to arrange for a new idol band to debut?" Iwahashi Shinichi and Kitagawa Kuo confirmed. When a job comes to him, he will be ready and show off his businesslike style.
As a result, Kitagawa shook his head slightly and said, "I am planning to form an idol band."
In other words, I want Shinichi Iwahashi’s GENZO to be cultivated from a blank piece of paper until he is ready to debut.
"But at the same time, we will not stop cultivating members as idols." Kitagawa said.
Iwahashi Shinichi heard this request and did not reply on the spot.
Kitagawa was not in a hurry to reply, and just invited him to watch Johnny's JR practice later. To this, Shinichi Iwahashi agreed immediately.
It was not a thoroughly enjoyable meal, but it didn't feel bad either.
There were no fools present and everyone was shrewd, so it would be difficult to spoil the atmosphere.
After the meal, the affectionate driver Mitomo Iijima came to greet Shinichi Iwahashi. He met the Johnny's people and Mitomo Iijima said hello to them one by one.
Kitagawa nodded and said, "Hello." Thinking of something, his eyes lingered on Iijima Mitsuchi, who had his head lowered, for a moment, and then moved away.
He deliberately chose a woman who was unattractive and looked older than him to be the driver. Kitagawa thought about it for a while, guessing that the driver either had some background, or that the young producer valued her very much.
Otherwise, it makes no sense why Iwahashi Shinichi would choose such a person to be his driver.
However, it was just a face-to-face meeting, and this subconscious thought flashed past.
"That's right." Kitagawa Kaguya suddenly mentioned it as if he just remembered it.
"In two weeks, our agency's JR group SMAP will hold a solo performance at the Budokan. Will Iwahashi-kun be willing to go there and watch it?"
When Iwahashi Shin heard "SMAP", his heart moved.
Chapter completed!