Shigeichi Negishi, the man who forever transformed the entertainment industry with his invention of karaoke, died on January 29, but the news of his death has been recent. Negishi has left a void in the hearts of millions of music lovers around the world.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1923, Negishi spent much of his life immersed in the world of electronics, running a growing company. However, it was his passion for his music that led to a moment of inspiration that would change the course of entertainment history.
The idea for karaoke came from a seemingly mundane episode at work. A friend heard Negishi sing and, instead of complimenting his talent, mocked his vocal ability. This disparaging comment sparked a brilliant idea in Negishi’s mind: what if he could sing accompanied by background music, without the need for a full orchestra?
With this vision, in 1967 he introduced his first karaoke machine, the Sparko Box, ushering in a revolution in the way people enjoy and participate in music. Although Negishi never patented his invention, his legacy is undeniable. His daughter, Atsumi Takano, shares that his father found satisfaction in watching his idea become a global culture of fun through music.
Although his invention became a global phenomenon, Negishi did not reap monetary fortunes. In fact, he abandoned the production of the Sparko Box due to conflicts with musicians and difficulties in door-to-door sales. However, his contribution to the world of entertainment is incalculable.
Matt Alt, author of the book How Japan Made the Modern World, paid tribute to Negishi on X, formerly Twitter, highlighting his role as a pioneer in the debate about the impact of automation on contemporary artists.
“Farewell to another legend: Shigeichi Negishi, inventor of karaoke, died at the age of 100. By automating singing, he earned the enmity of artists who saw his machine as a threat to their jobs. It is a disturbing precursor to the debate around to the impact of AI on today’s artists,” he published.
