Performing in Japan

Living in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor Mother taught him how to play the ukulele Inspired to play ukulele after hearing Eddie Kamae How he got on the All-Navy show on Ed Sullivan Friend convinced him to make a record Number 1 Hit "Sushi" Playing 3 shows a night in Waikiki "Song for Anna" Performing in Japan

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Being a musician is not an easy life. It’s hard. You either make it or you don’t.

When I do performances in Japan, I don’t speak English, you know. I talk to the audience in Japanese. And right now, I’m known more for telling jokes than playing the ukulele. [laughs]

[Play music]

Date: August 2012
Location: Hawai`i, US
Interviewer: John Esaki
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

hawaii music musician ukulele