Inventor of the Karaoke machine, Shigeichi Negishi passes away
Shigeichi Negishi, the Japanese engineer credited with inventing the world’s first karaoke machine, died at the age of 100. Negishi’s groundbreaking invention, the “Sparko Box,” revolutionized the way people enjoy music and entertainment.
Born in 1921, Negishi founded his electronic company, Nichiden Kogyo, in Tokyo in 1956. It was during his time running this business that he conceptualized the idea of the karaoke machine. Inspired by his love for singing along to music on TV and radio, Negishi saw an opportunity to enhance the experience by creating a device that allowed users to hear their own voices more clearly.
In 1967, Negishi and one of his employees successfully wired a microphone to a speaker and tape deck, enabling users to sing along to prerecorded music. This prototype, later dubbed the “Sparko Box,” laid the foundation for what would become the modern karaoke machine.
the main difference being that karaoke, as far as I am aware, wasn’t predicated on the theft and perversion of the creative labor of millions. The earliest karoke libraries made by Negishi used commercially licensed music. https://t.co/yUO2rcrxG9
— HINTZ! (@aphintz) March 15, 2024
Negishi’s vision extended beyond mere functionality; he wanted to cultivate a culture of communal singing and enjoyment. He chose the name “karaoke,” a Japanese term meaning “empty orchestra,” to capture the essence of singers performing over prerecorded music tracks.
Despite never patenting his invention, Negishi’s karaoke boxes gained widespread popularity in Japan, with thousands distributed across the country. His daughter, Atsumi Takano, revealed that Negishi took pride in seeing his creation become a global phenomenon, bringing joy to people around the world.
On January 26 Negishi passed away following a fall, leaving behind a legacy that transcends borders and generations. His pioneering contribution to the world of music and entertainment will be remembered for generations to come.
