Singer-songwriter Shono Mayo (70), known for his huge hit of “Flying Istanbul,” sang the song in Istanbul, Turkey on the 13th (14th Japan time).
“Flying Istanbul” was released as Shono’s fifth single in 1978, and its exotic melody and lyrics were a huge hit with over 800,000 copies at the time when overseas travel began to boom.
This is Shono’s ninth visit to Istanbul, and this is the first time since 2013. This is the third time that he has sung “Fly to Istanbul” in the same place since he was singing “Fly to Istanbul” in the 1980s when he was in a TV program project with a local musician and sang at a charity concert in October 2008.
To commemorate ANA’s new route, a flight from Tokyo (Haneda) to Istanbul, Shono was invited to a reception held in Istanbul, and visited the area on the first flight on February 12th.
The Four Seasons Hotel, the reception venue, attracted 220 people, including Japanese and Turkish government officials, as well as the aviation and travel industry, and Japanese embassies, and listened to the hit song “Flying Istanbul,” which connects Japan and Turkey.
After the reception, Shono was impressed by the fact that he sang at the venue where his signature song was set, saying, “I’m really glad I’ve been singing for 47 years.” He also expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “A direct flight from Haneda has made Istanbul much closer. As a cultural bridge, I hope to continue to cherish and sing about my dreams and longings for foreign countries.”
In addition, in the ANA Istanbul Line promotion video, skit group Tokyo 03 Kakuta Akihiro sings “Flying Istanbul,” which has become a hot topic.
■ANA Istanbul Line Promotion Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mCn6gAd2Kg
■ANA New Service Promotion Site
https://www.ana.co.jp/ja/jp/international/area/europe/mxp/promotion/
■Shono Mayo’s “Fly to Istanbul” streaming URL
https://nippon-columbia.lnk.to/shonomayo
■Shono Mayo
Singer and songwriter
Born on December 23, 1954. Born in Osaka. He made his debut with Nippon Columbia after the Folk Music Festival in 1976.
In 1978, “Fly to Istanbul” and “Cheers at Monte Carlo” were huge hits. He is active as a singer who represents new music. He also works in many fields, including composition, writing, and stage plays.
