Orange Range have recorded the theme song for the upcoming TBS drama “Nichiyo Gekijo – Tetsuban Shojo Akane!” It’s the hugely popular Okinawan band’s third drama theme and 15th single, to add to the 4 albums and 3 DVDs since their debut in 2000. The new single, “Sayonara”, is just their third love song and if it does as well as either of the previous two, million-seller “Hana” and “Love Parade” (half a million), it’ll push their total sales over the ¥25 billion level. A remarkable achievement in a time when CD sales are in a prolonged slump. Orange Range are currently in the middle of a national tour.
• 2006 Miss Universe runner up Chibana Kurara (24) is to be a regular reporter for the NTV late-night news show “News Zero”. The Sophia University graduate speaks English, French and Spanish and has long dreamed of being a journalist, though she had a job lined up at a publishing company before coming so close at this year’s beauty pageant.
• The line up of stars scheduled to appear at the upcoming John Lennon tribute concert keeps growing. John Lennon Super Live 2006 has been organized by his widow, Yoko Ono (73), and will be held on November 4 at the Nippon Budokan, It will feature pop duo Sukimaswitch, singer Cocco (29), making a comeback after five years, as well as singer Sano Motoharu (50), actress Miyazawa Rie (33) and others.