What you need to know:
Shigeichi Negishi, Japanese pioneer and inventor of the first karaoke, died of natural causes at the age of 100.
We all use it when it comes to parties and gatherings with friends or when we just want to show off our artistic talents. Yes, we’re talking about it Karaoke, Shigeichi Negishi’s invention that changed the world of entertainment.
Yes, karaoke had an inventor and unfortunately his name became a trend on social media in March this year after this was announced The man died at the age of 100, after a fall and due to natural causes.
The inventor of karaoke has died at the age of 100
Although Shigeichi Negishi’s death occurred on January 26th. The news was barely announced by the family of the Japanese engineer, who lived in the 1960s He gave the world an invention that was inspired by a colleague.
In an interview with the newspaper The Wall Street JournalShigeichi Negishi hinted at this The idea for karaoke came to me from a classmate who sang a song poorly and hummed.. That’s why he wondered whether the subject in question would sound better if it had an accompanying soundtrack.
Shigeichi Negishi revolutionized the entertainment industry with karaoke
With this idea in mind, In 1957 Negishi created this Sparko box, a box with a microphone, a speaker and a recording device which was perfected over the years until it became a karaoke box that allowed thousands to feel what it was like to be a star on stage.
Since then, Karaoke has become a fun tool at parties and gatherings with friends, family and more for millions around the world. However, for Shigeichi Negishi, it was an invention that not only was not patented, but also caused him a lot of trouble.
An invention with which, despite its success, he never made millions in profits
In 1975 and after seeing how many problems many artists and labels were having Shigeichi Negishi decided to leave the karaoke market because they viewed karaoke as a risk to their work and even feared that it would cost them their jobs.
Although Shigeichi Negishi was the pioneer of karaoke, as previously mentioned, the man did not make millions from his invention. In fact, many people think about it The musician Daisuke Inoue is considered a pioneer of karaoke with his 8 Juke Box, which is considered the first of its kind.
Although he was the inventor, there were other people who excelled in the use of karaoke
Nonetheless, The Japan Karaoke Industry Association recognizes the Sparko Box as the first karaoke machine. Well, it was this invention that started with one of the tools that give people fun times at bars, parties and more.
Oh, and as a fun fact (in case you use it for office conversation these days): The word karaoke comes from the Japanese word kara, meaning “empty,” and oke, meaning “orchestra.” So karaoke is an orchestra playing empty (without singers).
Absolutely not, thank you very much, Mr. Shigeichi Negishi, for so much and sorry for so little.