(2 of 2)
The sassy pertness that marks the style of many young, contemporary female vocalists has obviously impressed Seiko Matsuda, 21. She might well be the Olivia Newton-John of Japan. Seiko has what her countrymen describe as the girl-next-door look (if you happen to live in a suburban Osaka apartment complex) and, to be polite, a less than major lyrical talent. But since 1980, her twelve albums and 13 singles have brought in more than $125 million, boosting her own income from records to half a million dollars a year. Pressing on while her pressings are hot, she has starred in two movies, The Legend of Plumeria, about a student in love, and The Tomb of the Wild Chrysanthemum, about a farm girl in love. If anyone wants to make Grease Japanese, the only casting problem would be John Travolta's role. —By E. Graydon Carter