In 1977, he released his greatest hit, Kitaguni no haru [ja] ('North Country Spring').
It won the "Long Seller Award" at the 21st Japan Record Awards, sold 3 million copies, and was covered by notable artists such as Aki Yashiro, Teresa Teng, and Misora Hibari.
[1] Masao is the second son in a rural agricultural household and deliberately stressed his poor country origins as part of his image.
[3] He reportedly had a taste for blondes, and in 1972 married American jazz singer Joan Shepard [ja].
[3] During the Bubble era, he became extremely wealthy, owning a Rolls-Royce and living in a luxurious, 13-room home.