Our Karaoke Trail

I was first introduced to the new fad of "karaoke" by David, who organized a family gathering at The Valley Club to try out this new experience. Being a song lover, I immediately loved the idea of catching up with pop songs. For the first time, I could see that I would be able to sing those songs that I loved so much. With the help of a visual prompter and rhythmic music assistance, it was a whole new experience.

I began exploring the idea of singing at a karaoke joint right away. Initially, I found that the trend was very new but already popular. Before long, I discovered an upmarket outlet very close to the disco I regularly frequented. The place was called Sakura, just a stone's throw from its namesake, Sakura Cafe. I joined the crowd and had to queue up for my turn. Being a new trend in town, there were always over twenty people ahead of me in line. At the time, I didn't understand the implication of that number, but now I know it meant a cycle time of 150 minutes per round. Sometimes, I waited until 2 am just to sing one song that lasted less than three minutes. This deterrent eventually made me think harder about how I could join this bandwagon without suffering through the long lines.

1990 Valley Club

#1 First time

I wasn't the only one seeking a way out; others were also trying to capitalize on this new fad. Patience was necessary. Sure enough, six months later, a local Chinese establishment opened up for business in PJ. It was called Orchid Karaoke, and we could go there more often. By then, newer trends, such as investing in large-screen TVs and using overhead projectors, had permeated the market

1991 Original Tape

As the months passed, I gradually learned the intricacies of this new fad. An important aspect was finding sources for karaoke tracks, which are essential for singing. Similar to the hobby of collecting songs, having a large repertoire of tracks was crucial to maintain interest. I soon discovered that a supplier on MacCalister Road in Penang provided these karaoke tracks. My first purchase was a modest ten tracks, which cost Rm 110. The necessary hardware came from another dedicated supplier on Chow Kit Road, where I bought a brand-new karaoke amplifier

#2 First time

At that time, a young lady named Lilian began her business of selling loose tracks that she extracted from LaserDisc players. There was one catch with her tracks: they were in NTSC format. After another round of hardware shopping, I found a multi-system video recorder and player under the Toshiba brand. This was how karaoke was introduced into my house.

For the next few years, we were deeply engaged in our new pastime—frantically updating our inventory with more and more karaoke tracks. George and I spent hours daily at Lilian's shop, especially after she relocated from Campbell Complex to Ampang Park.

On another front, I found a VCR tape manufacturer who could provide me with 10-minute tapes, each housing only one karaoke track. Soon, I had a whole shelf filled with these tapes, complete with custom labels I created for each track.

Initially, I had one multi-system recorder player, but I eventually expanded my inventory to two units to facilitate my own editing and production

1994 My Collection

#3 First time

So it took me almost a year before I could commission my own "Karaoke" system in my house and here it finally got started on the 20th July 1991

1991 Karaoke in the House started

#4 First time all in the family gazed at this new wonder

For more picture from this day of launching the equipment and process, please follow this link

1 - Click on this link

B - Karaoke hobby instituted 2001

For a gestation period of 10 years , this new hobby of Karaoke singing was disbanded or shelf. Instead the time were spent getting the equipment running properly. Expanding our karaoke tracks co;ection and also a gestation time for us to sing in a decent manner

In the beginning, our home karaoke sessions were slow because my friends weren't very familiar with the song selection. My biggest supporter, Yin Peng, preferred singing Chinese and Cantonese songs, but we struggled with a limited number of Mandarin tracks. As we gained confidence in our singing abilities, we decided to challenge ourselves by performing in public. This led us to Kampong Karaoke at Pasar Rayat in Kuala Lumpur, which became an excellent proving ground and training venue for overcoming stage fright

21st February 2001

#5 We started going down to test out our performances on stage in Kampong Karaoke, Pasar Rakyat, Jalan Barat Kuala Lumpur

12th January 2003

#6 Peter and Ah Tin took time to hone up heir skills in singing

22nd January 2003

#7 Very unlikely group of singers. We were all hot in the formation of the Kiara Bunch and they turned up in my house to try out their liking

6th August 2003

#8 This is Esther, she was part of the wife group of ladies. She like singing but after a while she decided to break compamh with her group. I on the other hand, like to keep memories

17th August 2003

#9 We had regular Friday session, this day I hot Peters image

10th September 2003 Pasar Rakyat, Kampong Karaoke

#10 We invited Benny's wife to be with us singing in public

#11 Yin Peng also went on stage, by now getting use to exposure

#12 Henry joined us

#13 This was Alice

Years 2003. With the 6th December 2004 Asian Tsunami

#14 Star Cruise offered concession to Genting Casino Card holders. We got many sailings on 3 of the company cruise Liners. He an example where George was singing on board Star Cruise - Aries

#15 Here is Peter, also part of the singing gang then

12th January 2004

#16 A very precious picture with name of old swimming mates of the Kelana Jaya pool. Ong Yoke Leong is the brother of the well known Air-con supplier of the times Ong Yoke Lin. He later installed a set at his home and we were his sguest

Years 2004 More picture from Star Cruise

#17 We too monopolised the Karaoke room on the many cruises on MV Gemini

Years 2005 The last sailing, we did with Peter and Ah Tin

#18 We were singing on board Star Cruise - Virgo.

12th January 2004 Teng Koh appeared

#19 He took charge for the weekly Tuesday Sing-A-Long session in Damansara Jaya Clubhouse

18th April 2004 MELODY Dancing & Singing Training Center Klang

#19 We were singing melody Klang The home turf of Peter & Tina

#20 Peter turn

#21 Ah Tin to show her mandarin songs

19th April 2004 Selangor Club Karaoke Room

#22 We were invited to sing in The Selangor Club, of course by Peter & wife

18th October 2006 Red Box Karaoke

#23 Bussiness was really down. The joints were offering meals plus singing for as low as Rgt 10 pax. For weeks we were following that trend. Good fortune for me I had this batch of pictures from that many visits

#24 Milton and Julie - The Kiara Bunch at the karaoke - for the food? Fellowship? or the singing?

14th June 2008 The Patrick Place

#25 This was a colourful joint in Puchong Permaisuri operated by Patrick. We were there as the place was very near to Zen's office. It was like adjourning after work. The premises belong to Vinna's family and off course she used it as a training venue for her daughter

12th January 2009 The days of Karaokes crawling

#26 Doris Karaoke

This was a very well decorated place they have a singing halls and few singing rooms. The place would be used by students to try out their skills singing in public. I was there during the day time lean hours, as parking nad the traffic to reach there was very difficult

#27 Milky Way Music Arcade

Search me I am trying to recall my memories and experiences in this place but cannot [;ace it

12th February 2009 Melody Klang

#28 As I mentioned we were back to this place in Klang quite often

16th Julne 2009 Community Service by Klang melody

#29 We also render support and attended a karaoke contest event sponsored by Melody

12th August 2009 Section 17 Happy Garden

#29 This is the community centre that opened for member on weekends. They only paid a small monthly subscription with unlimited number of visit

16th August 2009 H. T. Long bring out James Wong OUG Church Auditorium

#30 Both Elvis impersonators For the whole show, all fans and look alike were invited to perform and we bought tickets

#31 Now singing a duet

3rd October 2009 Metropolitan Condo Karaoke contest

#32 This place is Henry;s Condo and they had a programme for the resident and we were invited as Guest

#33 Little publicity and low turn out

#34 Can Leong sing? He was one of the contestants

#35 This was Richard's turn

31st October 2009 Dinner Organised by the Cancer Society

# 36 This was more less an annual affair and this was the first time we joined the crowd

23rd December 2009 Days of Karaoke contest

#37 he karaoke crowd had enough practises and many felt that they were good enough to show off their flairs This was Yap - Jenny constant companion

We were

#38 Of course they shared common interest. Jenny too were going through the contest circuit

20th January 2011 This was pictures from Jenny Puah karaoke Centre

#39 Short time I was trying out the camera on Nokia phone. This is the standard!

#40 There was Henry waiting for her turn

#41 This frame was taken by my video recorder with 3 CCD

9th February 2011 Switching from Jenny to Sungei Way

#42 Our earliest contact group on Sungei Way Karaoke

17th August 2011 H/ T. Long House

#43 This was the period of Elvis impersonators and the early known was Rocky Teoh from Taiping and the currebt favorite was H. T. Long

#44 This time H. T. Long brought aling Ricky's daughter an air stewardess living in Hong Kong

23rd September 2011 Marvin Boey

#45 Frankie brought his old time buddy. He won the Radio Malaya Singing contest for Duet in 1968

9th October 2011 Frankie Bought dinner @ Kiara East

#46 All the gang invited

#47 Of course Karaoke was one f the features

#48 This is Molly

8th November 2011 Karaoke in my house

#49 Weekly karaoke in the house was a regular feature. This picture shows the new recruit - Eva

#50 Newbie seen taking a back seat

#51 So was Gilbert!

#52 We have a picture of Yoke Sim too

8th December 2011 Sophia Karaoke

#53 That's our Alan Kong [RIP]

#54 and myself I cannot remember we met there or went on appointment

#55 Of course the lovely companion Theresa

14th December 2011 Another day in Sungei Way

#56 The crowd was small but the company was good despite of the fact that Stanley was there

28th December 2011 Another day in Sungei Way

#57 A good shot showing the trend of the times. Singing out from a piece of papers. Started by George!

#58 I could only remember her name as Ah Chun

#59 I am giving you a piece of advise!

16th January 2012 Molly's karaoke

#60 It was birthday time but whose?

#61 I think his name was Dhill - tutor for her studio. There were two of them

#62 Chuan singing in Molly

24th January 2012 My house

#63 We have Alan and wife singing in my house. The album in Theresa's hand showed that my thumb drive was ready for use

26th February 2012 Back to Sophia

#64 We have Leong singing [RIP]

#65 and George was there too

10th March 2012 In Astro Studio

#66 We were there with Poh Choo for the Golden melody Singing Competition

#67 Chuan with Zhuang Shue Choong an accomplished local singer

23rd March 2012 A scene back home

#68 Eva made her appearance

20th May 2012 Back to the studio in Astro

#69 This lady operated a karaoke joint in Salak South where Peggy was quite close to her son the Manager

2nd June 2012 Salak South Karaoke

#73 Chuan with the owner

#74 Chuan Singing on Stage

6th July 2012 This is period of "Astro" craze

#75 We were there as audience

31st July 2012 Dinner for the Sungei Way Group

#76 Cannot recall the place and the occassion

#77 Poh Choo got her medal for the competitin. That must be two Yan Pings!

17th September 2012 On stage in Astro

#78 The Winners

28th September 2012 Back to our house

#79 We had a new member in Blue Cannot recall her name/ Just divorced from her hubby. Staying in BU 12

26th October 2012 Eva Birthday

#80 We had Bill Tan singing in the House [RIP]

22nd December 2012 Christmas Dinner - Frankie's House

#81 Thank you for such graciousness

23rd December 2012 Arena Of Stars Genting Highlands

#82 The Finals of the Astro Golden Melody Contest

31st December 2012 Auld Lang Syne for 2012

#83 We had a wonderful year

6th March 2013 Uncle Yong Birthday

#84 Uncle Yong was over 80years He lived in Sri Petaling and took 2 buses to reach Sungei Way for the session

13th April 2013 Martin's new House in Subang Two

#85 It was a new house and a new set/ Soo martin did two things - showed us the house and ran in his karaoke set

25th May 2013 Weekly IN-house karaoke

#86 Eva brought her Korean students - two of them

#87 A group photo

26th July 2013 Star Cafe Taman Desa

#88 The fellowship got extended to meet up in the Star Cafe in Taman Desa

#89 Chuan did his part in participating

#90 Of course "Thumbs up" could see that she was high

31st July 2013 Kelana Jaya Louisiana Seafood Cajon Style

#91 The Elvis impersonator from Australia

#92 Those who attemded

#93 His standard was quite disappointing

18th August 2013 Another Elvis Impersonator Show - Old Skol Pub in Gasing PJ

#94 Outside that tiny pub

#95 Just for the album

#96 We were seated

#97 Henry never let a good opportunity slip past

1st January 2014 Happy New year & Mary birthday

#98 So fast 2013 was over - 2014 was there

#99 Peggy showed up in our gathering

#100 George was always in the lime light

5th February 2014 Happy Chinese New year Sungei Way

#101 A new year for the Sungei way group - Lou Sang

3rd September 2014 Meet the sister Sungei Way

#102 The one on the left Irene and the right Chris - she sang in our house

5th December 2014 Meet Stephen

#103 Wondering what brought this non-singer to the meeting

31st December 2014 Count Down

#104 Oh! Its that end of 2014 time again. Peggy was always at the mic

12 February December 2015 Do Rai Me Karaoke -Puchong

#105 Yin Peng was a regular at this joint and she invited me to join her

#106 An incentive - when patron paid for the session there was a lucky draw - a lottery ticket

4th January 2015 The karaoke- Chung Ling Alumina

107 Only for invited guests - lucky I got this copy

28th February 2015 karaoke Contest - TESCO Supermarket

#108 We turned up in full force

#109 We were the largest group of participants

#110 Results time!

2nd April 2015 Kek Loke Thong Ipoh

#111 Simon Sim had produced and supplied to us many rare karaoke tracks. This time on Rosie visit we ride piggy back and paid him a visit in his house

4th March 2015 Sungei Way Nancy Birthday

#112 The group seem to have grown larger

5th June 2015 Home Jemmy's treat

#113 Jenny was known for her delicious Nyonya cooking. A rare occasion she offered us Roti Jalal and chicken curry

#114 All sat down for that wonderful super

19th June 2015 Home Richard

#115 Richard and his wife turned up

18th July 2015 Sungei Way

#116 This was the bachelor group taking the rear seat

#117 and introducing Jasmine - a highly controversial person

22nd July 2015 Atria Jam Session

#118 Atria started programme to draw in the crowd over the weekends

#119 Not very well publicised

19th August 2015 Sungei Way

#120 Ah Loong "Siew" with all his jester gesture

#121 This was Marina [RIP]

2nd September 2015 Sungei Way

#122 The lined up for 2015

30th September 2015 Sungei Way

#123 Peggy joined us in the Sungei Way karaoke

7th October 2015 Pantai Seafood Restaurant

#124 Another promotion and we had another valued lunch

31st December 2015 Hone Auld Lyne Syne

#125 It was almost 12 midnight this year we had Chong and Mi Lee his wife

#126 So was Joe and Beatrice from the IKEA group

7th February 2016 Sungei Way Get Together

#127 It was CNY time, the crowd had definitely enlarged

20th February 2015 Do-Re-Ni Karaoke CNY Get Together

#128 Yes another CNY time and again I got invited

#129 Peggy joined me this year

8th March 2015 Get Together @ Aoki Teh Japanese Restaurant

#130 A promotion and we had lunch in this Japanese restaurant with free flowing beer

4th April 2016 Get Together @ Home Cooking Restaurant in Sungei Way

#131 Tasty and valued lunch

15th April 2016 Free Lunch Oriental Restaurant Maju Junction

#132 Cannot remember the sponsor but we got a good lunch Thanks to Nancy for roping us in.

#133 Side show was a team of well dressed models moving around for photography

7th January 2017 Home Karaoke

134 We had Uncle Foo joining our session

#135 and also Poh Choo

#136 The new members

15th April 2017 Home Karaoke

#137 This is Wei Ling who is Uncle Foo youngest daughter

#138 and Tania who acted as Uncle Foo chaperon

27th May 2017 Home Karaoke

#139 Looked like they could become regulars

31st July 2017 The Loud Speaker Karaoke in Subang jaya

#140 An entirely new and unfamiliar crowd to George and myself

#141 George and his duet

#142 I also did a duet with George too

22nd November 2017 The Karaoke Brems Park

#143 This was a totally new joint to us

fgg

#144 George did the singing and I did the photography

18th January 2018 Catherine's House

#145 A special treat from Catherine - Home made "Wu Tow Koh" Jam cake and singing with her karaoke set

#146 Most of us here

#147 She took the lead

18th January 2018 NASCOM Building

#148 I named this gathering the "124 Crowd" as we sang on Tuesday in Sungei Wayand Thursday in NASCOM

#149 The room was slightly congested and the lighting not properly placed

#150 But we managed

#151 George singing and all listened attentatively

12th January 2018 Atria Jam Session

#152 Came weekend another jam session

#153 Larger picture

#154 Much better crowd as compared with the pictures recorded ear;ier

#155 There was no enough seatings, Frankie took a place one floor up

25th January 2018 Lunch @ Nam Heong in Kuala Lumpur

#156 Purposely went try out the Beef noodle soup

22nd February 2018 Back to the tiny room in NASCOM

#157 The small crowd was good just the right size

#158 This was the 7th Day of CNY

#159 There were biscuits and tit bits in the house

21st April 2018 Another promotion in the Pantai Seafood Restaurant

#160 We had out gathering and makan

26th May 2018 Im Token Dinner

#161 This must be a dinner held in Sunway Pyramid when Peggy got involved in Bits coin trading and we got a dinner

21st July 2018 Kajang Satay House

#162 Yin Peng's brother opened a tourist Satay restaurant next to the LRT station

#163 It was chic place

#164 We had our food and inspection

4th August 2018 Peggy Dinner cum Contest

#165 This was an in-house karaoke contest organised by a Karaoke School. Venue was in Jinjang

#166 We had our dinner

#167 The contest results

#168 Very good food

#169 We met with Peggy children

13th October 2018 Yin Peng's Sister

#170 We were

18th August 2019 Uncle Foo Birthday

#171 We celebrated his birthday for him

10th November 2018 Skater's Cafe Lunch

#172 We never miss good offer. This time Rgt12 Buffet lunch

14th March 2019 Golden Dragon City Dinner

#173 Time for that Get Together Dinner

19th April 2019 Melody fair Uncle Foo's birthday

#174 Uncle Foo had a wealthy property developer who loved Karaoke singing. Melody Fair was their regular haunt.This time they had decided to offer Uncle Foo a lavish party. Bring together all his siblings