That's not exactly true. The word 'midori' means green, and has been in use since the heian period (8th century) but was considered a shade of 'ao' ( blue) until early twentieth century, where midori has been more frequently used to describe what English speakers would call green. You are correct about traffic lights, and about certain green plants being called 'ao'.

The way I heard it was good first family got the constantly working, touring version, which I imagine wouldn't have been easy for anyone, while his second family had him after he'd largely stepped away from performing and was semi-retired, which I imagine was less stressful for everyone.