Zard

With its revolving cast of backing musicians, Zard -- a group on its surface, anyhow -- was the driving force of frontwoman, vocalist, and lyricist Izumi Sakai. Zard first formed in 1991, and released its debut single that February. By 1992, the band had released three albums, and had sold units in the millions. Over the next years of the decade, the band released hit album after hit album, with each one selling at or above the million mark. By 2004, the band -- by this point a solo vehicle for Sakai -- had released album number ten, Tomatteita Tokeiga Ima Ugokidashita. In add...