top of page

World Culture Tour: Japan part 8 - Karaoke


microphone

Sing-alongs have been around for as long as people have been singing, but the sweet, sweet sounds of karaoke began in the late 1960's and 70's in Japan.


The origins of Karaoke are a bit muddled. Car audio system engineer Shigeichi Negishi made the first karaoke machine prototype in 1967. Then singing coach Toshiharu Yamashita sold the first 8-track playback deck in 1970 which really got the karaoke trend going. However, in 1971, musician Daisuke Inoue "invented" karaoke by creating karaoke equipment. None of these guys got patents on their equipment, though, so Clarion swooped in and became the first company to make karaoke machines on a commercial level.




With this sing-along equipment, people around the world began drunkenly belting out songs they sort of knew! Everyone has that weird uncle or sister-in-law that loves to sing karaoke songs at the top of their lungs and off key. Truly, karaoke is family fun for everyone.


Get the songs you love and play them, karaoke-style. The music plays, the words do not. Instead the words are displayed on a screen so you can be the singer instead. Lots of fun.




Click to see more of the World Culture Tour!

18 views1 comment
bottom of page