Quoting:
Hello all....

I would like to know any info about one of the earliest videos I've ever seen. I was 12 or 14 years old I think (1978 - 1980), the video featured a young Asian (Japanese? American?) girl singing a very soft and melodic song, *very* high pitched... At the time, it was a bit hit, but after a few months, the singer/band just faded into History. The singer was white-skinned, long black hair, and I recall the overall "set" to be all white and bright. I only watched the video once (althought I heard the song on the radio endless times) and I don't remember any "special effects" or anything, the video itself was quite plain (kind of remember some rather crude "cosmic" or psichodelyc effects, not sure though....)

I have absolutely no clue about the name of the singer, the song or the band (?). Would anyone here remember such video/song? Does it ring a bell? Any info greatly appreciated...

Many thanks in advance....

Paul
End Quote

I'm gonna give your memory a little more credit than Hairspray has, and suggest that you may be thinking of "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman, a #1 smash here in the U.S. in the Spring of '78. Elliman is Hawaiian, so she has the Asian/American look you indicated, and yes, she had long, black hair at the time. She was 26 in '78, so she was relatively young as well. There was a video for the song, and the tune was indeed very catchy and melodic - one of the best disco songs ever recorded, IMO. She did have a few other moderate hits during the '70s, but "If I Can't Have You" was her only bona-fide smash...

My second pick would be "Lead Me On" by Maxine Nightingale, a huge hit here in the U.S. in the Summer of '79. It was a ballad, but again, very melodic and she did sing it in a very high pitch. She was also 26 at the time. Pretty sure I've never seen a video for the song, but I won't rule out that one was made. She scored one other big hit, "Right Back Where We Started From", in the Spring of '76, but she did pretty much "fade into history" after "Lead Me On", as you indicated...

Quoting:


I'm gonna give your memory a little more credit than Hairspray has...End Quote

Why do you have to be insolent?

"Edited to add: The video I mentioned is actually later than your given date. Sometimes time plays tricks with one's memory."

I was referring to my own memory.  >:(

Next time I'll make sure to be crystal clear for your benefit. Not. I don't imagine everyone else would look for negative connotations in my statements. Especially when I use a happy/winking ;) smiley.  :(

Quoting:
Thanks, Hairspray... But no, I remember Sade and "Smooth Operator" well, I think I was in my last year in College when "Smooth Operator" became a hit... Gee, I guess I'm really old! :o Thanks for your feedback, anyway! ;-)

Paul

End Quote

I'm sorry I wasn't any help.  :-/

For what it's worth, I didn't make any implications about your memory.  :)