logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2021
9m 39s

The birth of Karaoke

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Daisuke Inoue was playing keyboards in a band in Kobe, Japan, when he invented the Karaoke machine in 1971. He had a customer who wanted to impress business clients by singing along to his favourite songs. Ashley Byrne spoke to Daisuke Inoue about his invention in 2015.

(Photo: A group of women sing karaoke. Credit: Getty Images)

Up next
Apr 2025
The Cu Chi tunnels of the Vietnam War
During the Vietnam War, North Vietnamese VietCong guerrillas built a vast network of tunnels in the south of the country as part of the insurgency against the South Vietnamese government and their American allies. The tunnel network was a key base and shelter for the North Vietna ... Show More
9m 43s
Today
Surviving the Long March
In 1935, tens of thousands who had followed Mao Zedong on the Long March across China struggled to survive. They were fleeing Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist forces during the country's civil war.Zhong Ming was one of them. In 2014, a year before his death, he spoke to the late Edw ... Show More
9m 45s
Apr 2026
The world's first perfume archive
On 26 April 1990, the world's first perfume archive opened in Versailles, France.The idea behind L'Osmothèque was to create a collection of scents and preserve their memory.Perfumer Jean Claude Ellena was one of the team who created it.He speaks to Jen Dale about how L'Osmothèque ... Show More
10m 6s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
What is Karaoke? Part One: An Origin Story
Nowadays most people are at least generally familiar with the concept of karaoke -- technology allows you to sing along with your favorite songs, often to the delight of your friends and fellow amateur vocalists. It's a global phenomenon, and has created countless karaoke-based c ... Show More
34m 59s
Mar 2022
S1E158 - Kapow's Power of Invention: Karaoke
Karaoke is a fun activity where you get to sing along with the music from your favorite songs. It takes away the original voice on the recording and turns you into the lead singer! Tune into find out how this amazing party invention came to be! 
9m 16s
Jun 2019
Mark Ronson
The producer, songwriter and DJ on making an album of sad bangers and why karaoke is now his idea of a good night out. 
24m 10s
May 2025
How to bring the house down at karaoke
Karaoke isn't just a crowd-pleasing pastime. When well-executed, it can unite a room of strangers and help you build your internal power. Zak Rosen, reporter and host of The Best Advice Show, offers tips on mastering the art of karaoke. And no, you don't need to be a good (or eve ... Show More
26m 47s
Jul 2019
Karaoke
<p>Hello Internet! This week's Shmanners is all about KARAOKE! Enjoy, and be sure to tell a friend!</p> 
43m 21s
Dec 2014
Karaoke as Art?
Is karaoke now an art form? Music critic Katie Puckrik hits the clubs in Portland, Oregon, to find out. 
27m 2s
Jul 2023
Dive Bar Karaoke Bangers
It's Episode 52 of the Friday Night Karaoke Podcast, and the theme of the week was #FNKDiveBar.Slide into the jukebox groove with 'Dive Bar Bangers!' Our FNK stars are nailing classics from 'Sweet Caroline' to 'Whiskey in the Jar,' turning your speakers into a local watering hole ... Show More
1h 7m
Jun 2024
Intermediate | Karaoke
<p>If you want to sing &quot;Blue Moon&quot; while sipping Baileys on a comfy couch, you have two options: hang out with Pete from CPod...or go to Karaoke! In this lesson, you&#39;ll learn how to order songs and hog the mic, all in Mandarin Chinese! Episode link: https://www.chin ... Show More
13m 33s
Oct 2019
Chai
The group from Japan is on a mission to expand the conventional meaning of "cute." Their performance included synchronized dancing, pom-poms and matching pink uniforms, with a heavy, angular sound.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data f ... Show More