“Kara” comes from the word “karappo”, which means empty or void.
“Oke” comes from the word “okesutra” which means orchestra.
“Oke” comes from the word “okesutra” which means orchestra.
How many of you remember the old TV show “Sing along with Mitch”, (1961 – 1964)? The show involved instrumentals being played on TV, with lyrics on screen so viewers could sing along at home. Sound familiar? Well, I’m not sure if there may, or may not be, a correlation between the show, and the evolution of Karaoke. But there is quite the likeness.
Daisuke Inoue, a Japanese musician, invented the karaoke machine in Japan in 1971. The original karaoke machine, called “8 Juke,” based on a car stereo and furnished with a microphone, amplifier and coin box that played music recorded on eight-track cartridge tapes. Because, Inoue never patented his idea, as a result, he was not credited with it’s development financially. However, he did receive an IG Nobel Peace prize in 2004 for his invention.
The Karaoke Sing Along System, the first patented karaoke machine, was created by a Filipino, Robert Del Rosario. The illustrious inventor, who had 20 patents to his credit, actually patented the karaoke machine in 1975.
The karaoke machine turned into a colossal hit in Japan in the late 1970’s and early 80’s, resultantly after vast companies like Toshiba, Polydor and Columbia began to produce karaoke material.
There has also been a transformation in terms, in the karaoke instrumental formats, transitioning somewhat recently from CD+G, to online solutions like karaoke apps and YouTube. Karaoke has become even more popular in sum, due to this improvement in innovation and technology, that has led to more advanced ways of playing karaoke at home using just smart devices and all-in-one karaoke microphones.
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