The first time I ever experienced karaoke was in The Peg about 25 years ago. The karaoke fad had just come to Canada and was all the rage. So when Winnipeg's local lesbian bar, Ms Purdy's, advertised a karaoke night, a friend and I made sure to attend. We got there early too because the joint was packed!
Speaking of Ms Purdy's, here's a photo I took of it around the same time period. It wasn't quite as seedy inside as it looked from the outside, LOL! Ms Purdy's was a small place but managed to pack in a pool table, a good-sized stand-up bar, about a dozen tables and chairs and a small mirrored dance floor. Its windows were, of course, unbreakable one-way glass so we could see out but no one on the street could see in. The front door led into a security foyer where you'd first have to run the gauntlet of a couple of big dyke bouncers before being allowed into the bar itself. The purpose of that was to keep out gaybashers, religious nuts seeking to condemn us and/or save our souls, irate husbands/boyfriends looking for their AWOL wives/girlfriends, and men of all descriptions.
[Photo © Debra She Who Seeks, 1990]
Anyway, back to karaoke . . . .
A number of women got up and sang a few songs. OMG, they were dreadful! But everyone, being Canadians and members of the Sisterhood, clapped politely and did not boo them off the stage. Finally, at the end of the rather desultory evening, a chunky middle-aged lez with short salt & pepper hair went up to the front. She grabbed that mic and proceeded to just blow everyone away with an absolutely rockin' rendition of "Old Time Rock & Roll."
The whole bar erupted sky-high with clapping, stomping and cheering! She shut the place down too because no one had the nerve to follow that act at the karaoke machine, LOL! Later I heard that 10-15 years earlier, she had been one of the lead singers in a popular Winnipeg tribute band. And man, she still had it, baby!
Next post -- Karaoke at the Old Bastards Club
Haha! I love the Canadian politeness! I am a soprano and yet I have never had the karaoke experience!
ReplyDeletenever been to one... but sounds ever so amusing!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! Good old Canadian politeness. You gotta love that.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy a little karaoke, too. To watch, not to participate!
I'm not much of a karaoke person myself to be honest but I hear it's still kind of popular on Canada. At least, most Canadians I know talk about it and go regularly. I could just happen to know all the only Canadians that do.
ReplyDeleteI've never really tried it
ReplyDeleteProof that when it comes to singing, looks can be deceiving. I love karaoke, so much so that I had it at my wedding instead of dancing. It was a damn good time.
ReplyDeleteI'm a watcher, not a doer, when it comes to karaoke, but it's always a fun time. Love your story! Hugs...Ro
ReplyDeleteI can't even sing a decent rendition of "Happy Birthday"...hahaha!
ReplyDeleteAfter six months of trying to sleep through Karaoke every Thursday night at the Rockyview Hotel, I can honestly say I am no longer a fan. Joan Jett's I Love Rock 'n Roll has been pretty much ruined for me too. ;)
ReplyDeleteI do like karaoke, to watch. I love it when someone gets up there and there really good, or make a fool of them selves because their tanked!
ReplyDeleteWe used to have a karaoke machine when our kids were small. One memorable night, we had friends over and my friend Jeanette and I sang Crazy by Patsy Cline. Everyone else quit singing after that. The only time I've ever done it publicly was when a girlfriend was getting married, she forced us to get up and sing Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton. It was hysterical. My kid goes to Karaoke every Thursday, LOVES it.
ReplyDeleteKaraoke bars aren't my thing. My sister loves them and has dragged me to a few and there's always the sloppy drunk, the guy who thinks he's sexy, the girl who thinks she can sing, the lounge lizard and sometimes, there's that one person who actually can sing. And I'd rather see the person that can sing standing in front of a band and doing it.
ReplyDeleteThat was a night to remember! Back in the day, 'those' places had to be guarded and secure. But once inside, it was time to let it all go.
ReplyDeleteI tried Karaoke a couple of time with someone else....no solos!! It was fun.
Always loved it when someone could outshine and out-sing us all!!
Love Karaoke bars, and Bob Seger! Thanks for posting up the tune!
ReplyDeleteI've never had the nards, to go up there and sing.
ReplyDeleteOh I recognize that sign!!! Never knew what it was until now! :) My karaoke days were at the St. Vital Hotel when it was pitcher night. Courage in a pitcher dontcha know! :)
ReplyDeleteI used to drink a lot..I used to do a lot of drugs to the point that I married a guy while on an acid trip...but never been so drunk or stoned that I would sing karaoke..no fecking way..
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha, I've enjoyed some karaoke in the past but most of the time with an audience of one: myself. I've accepted that I just don't have what it takes to sing and I choose to not torture others. I love to listen to others though.. lol
ReplyDeletewow, thats amazing,
ReplyDeleteI love the name of that place!!
No, no, nope! I would cry.
ReplyDeleteI have never karaoked, but I zou bisou bisou.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
1990 was 25 years ago... You make me feel old.
ReplyDeleteI went to a wedding long time ago when karaoke was all the rage. That was the most fun I ever had at a wedding. Everyone got drunk and thought they could sing. Funny.
ReplyDeleteCanadian Politeness is a lot like Minnesota Nice. It's a northern thing. Not sure I could get drunk enough to overcome my self consciousness.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try karaoke, but have never had the guts to get up in front of a crowd. I'm way too wimpy. This sounds like such a cool place!
ReplyDeleteOh I love that song so much. I have a similar story where I was at a karaoke bar with my fellow pub trivia hosts. I didn't know them that well yet, so I was a bit left out of the conversation. On the stage, there were a couple of acts in a row that did slow, boring songs and weren't that great singers. Then my number was called and over the speakers came the first few kick-you-in-the-face notes of Blink 182's All the Small Things. I bounded onto the stage and snatched the microphone from the stand and suddenly everyone was not only paying attention, but really getting into it. I hadn't worked a crowd that well in a long time. When I came back off-stage, everyone was cheering and all the hosts congratulated me and patted me on the back. I was in.
ReplyDeleteI'm also interested in the idea of those bouncers. How do they guard against religious types etc? Do they have to answer riddles? Do they have to kiss another girl in front of them?
PS - Got your email. All good. Sorry, I haven't been visiting you as much either. But I do find it cool that us bloggers always have so much going on :)
Hi Michael -- The religious nuts were often carrying tell-tale bibles. Also, a look of disgust on their faces that they just couldn't hide. We know "the look."
ReplyDeleteThose two described performers were both fun! But what I enjoyedmost in this post was thr description of what the bouncer has to face, lol....all sorts.
ReplyDeleteAh - I have never been brave enough... maybe someday!
ReplyDeleteI love to watch karaoke, even if it's dreadful. I would never sing myself, though. I wouldn't dare do that to people :)
ReplyDeleteI would never have the guts!! Kinda wish others didn't either..They can be awful..but entertaining..Have a super week
ReplyDeleteKaraoke is always entertaining! Then there is that random person who can actually sing!
ReplyDeleteNice to know about Karaoke...
ReplyDeleteI've never done it, but I'd like to see yours!
ReplyDeleteMy enormous hair and I have been known to delight in Karaoke night (and bring Gloria Trevi, Cher and Tina Turner to the house *cough*).
ReplyDeleteI actually used karaoke to propose to my husband :) LOL, I don't remember how I sounded, but he did say yes.
ReplyDelete