Roberto del Rosario was born on June 7, 1919 in the Philippines, where his love for music started early. A gifted pianist and trumpet player, he performed with local orchestras and bands in Manila during the post-war years, charming audiences with his talent. But Del Rosario wasn’t content with just playing music; he loved building and tinkering with instruments and sound systems.
By the 1970s, while running his own business manufacturing musical instruments, he developed the “Sing-Along System”, a device that played instrumental music with a microphone input so anyone could sing to the track. In 1983, he officially patented his invention, making him the first person in the world to secure a karaoke-related patent.
How Karaoke Took the World by Storm
In the late ’70s and early ’80s, the Sing-Along System became a hit in the Philippines. Families rolled it out at fiestas, birthdays, and reunions, turning any occasion into a concert. As foreign visitors experienced it, the idea spread overseas. Japanese companies later popularized their own karaoke machines globally, but Del Rosario’s patent remains solid proof that the first patented karaoke system came from the Philippines. Even though he didn’t become a billionaire from it, his creation sparked a worldwide love affair with singing—in bars, living rooms, and even taxis.
A Legacy Beyond the Music
Beyond his karaoke invention, Del Rosario was a proud Filipino entrepreneur who ran Trebel Music Corporation, producing pianos, organs, and other instruments. He also championed music education, believing every Filipino child should have access to learning an instrument.
He passed away in 2003, leaving behind not just a device but a cultural phenomenon that unites people in joy. Today, every time someone belts out a tune at a videoke bar or sings their heart out at home, they’re living out Del Rosario’s dream: making music a shared experience for all.
