A fateful encounter:Masatoshi Ono - Classmate who taught me the joy of singing and playing the guitar in the second year of junior high school - Masamu - Opened his eyes to singing after performing "Love is a Kagero" at a recital

In this episode of "Fateful Encounters," we ask today's popular actors and artists about the people who influenced them. This time, we ask Masatoshi Ono, who is active as a solo artist and the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band "GALNERYUS," to talk about the classmate who taught him the joy of singing when he was in the second year of junior high school.

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For me, my "fateful encounter" was with my classmate Abe Makoto when I was in the second year of junior high school. He taught me how to play the acoustic guitar and showed me the joy of singing.

My music teacher gave me homework before the winter break in my second year of junior high school. He said, "It can be anything, whether it's a pop song, rock, or a song from your textbook. You can play it alone or in a group with someone in your class. You can use any instrument, so let's have a recital after the winter break." I was wondering what to do when Abe, who was in the same tennis club, said to me, "Ono, let's do it together."

At that time, the duo Miyabi won the outstanding song award for "Ai wa Kagerou" at Yamaha's Popcon (popular song contest). They decided to do that song. Abe learned how to play the acoustic guitar from his older brother. So he said he'd teach Ono how to play the acoustic guitar. Abe then said, "I'm embarrassed so I won't sing, so Ono, you sing." Ono said, "Okay," and they practiced together during the winter break.

And when I sang "Ai wa Kagerow" at the recital after the winter break, it was well received. They said, "Ono, you're a good singer." At that time, the guys who were good at sports and fun were the ones who showed leadership in class and were popular. That wasn't the case, so I was depressed, and I mistakenly thought that singing might help me (laughs), and that's how I ended up singing my whole life.

I met Abe just recently. Abe is now a chef, and I went to eat at the restaurant where he is a top chef. The presentation was about 44 years ago, but we are still good friends.

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Masatoshi Ono Born January 29, 1967 in Tokyo, originally from Saitama Prefecture. After playing in an amateur band, he made his solo debut in 1992 with "Pure ni Nare." His third single, "You're the Only...," became the theme song for the TV drama "Kimi no Tame ni Dekiru Dekiru" (Fuji TV), and became a million-seller. In the same year, he won the Best New Artist Award at the 34th The Japan Record Awards. He made his debut at the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen on New Year's Eve. In 2009, he officially joined the heavy metal band GALNERYUS, which was formed in 2001. GALNERYUS sang the ending theme for the TV anime HUNTER×HUNTER (Nippon TV), while Ono sang the opening theme. These songs have been streamed many times and are loved by listeners overseas.

GALNERYUS released their 20th anniversary album THE STARS WILL LIGHT THE WAY this year and are currently on a nationwide live tour until December.