Kue Chans Journey of Discovery - Old Lady

KEI YASUDA or kemeko

Kei was the oldest of the second generation (the other members being 3 years younger). She is well known for being the "old lady" of morning musume as nicknamed by Tsuji and Kago of the 4th generation. When Asuka Fukuda left morning musume it was Kei who took over her lines. Kei also co-wrote and co-sang with Abe Natsumi the song "Sanpo" for a radio competition but was never released officially despite a petition.

When kei and Sayako sang a duet (Girls Psychology) for their 2nd Album Tsunku decided to add 3rd generation (Maki Goto) so that sub-group, Petit Moni in 2001 was formed. "Chokotto Love" sold over 1 million singles as their first release. Then to replace the graduated Sayaka, Hitomi of the 4th generation was added making Kei the new leader. Petit Moni continued to make 3 successful singles and an album. It is now known as one of the best MM sub-groups to exist.

When Yuko, the leader at the time, graduated in 2001 Kei was appointed sub-leader with Kaorin as the leader. Kei was the oldest but since she was in the 2nd generation her sempai's were considered the 1st generation so that she could not reach the main position of leader.

In 2003 kemeko graduated from MM leaving the 6th generation (4 members) to fill her place. It was during this concert (kei's graduation concert) that the group could be called 16nin with the 4 new members becoming full time members. Tsunku commented that this would be the only time MM would reach that many members but the 16-15nin period is regarded by fans as the best group of members ever, full of personality and spark (sorry for the random word i just couldnt think of anything else to describe it). Kei was "spoilt" by tsunku at her graduation as he gave her a special rock version of "Never Forget" and allowed her special solo version of "As for One Day" to be released as her last single with MM.

Things seemed to go fine with MM when kei graduated with Mari taking over her position of sub-leader but Petit Moni went down the toilet when Maki Goto was removed leaving Hitomi as the leader and adding Makoto Ogawa of the 5th generation and Ayaka Kimura of Coconut's Musume (also known for Ayakas english lessons with MM members being surprised and then taught a sentence in English). There was no new single or album released although some of their new songs were added to compilations.

Kei is still very much active in Hello! Project, participating in concerts and doing back ups such as for Maki Gotos single "Daite Yo! Please Go On". She also hosted Hello! Projects television show Hello! Morning for a little while and was part of the H!P all stars project "All for One and One for All". She was also placed in Puripuri Pink which was a group for ex-mm members who weren't usually placed in sub-groups.

This is "never forget" from Kei's Graduation concert


Well i told you i would write a lot for that one ^-^