In 1965-6 I worked basket houses with a gal named Barbara. She had had a pianist tape his stuff and she did show tunes with the tape recorder for accompaniment. Never thought it was strange, because basket houses didn't pay enough to afford a piano player--and besides, none of 'em had pianos. Barbara was very good, She was working her way through university or college (I forget). That was karaoke.

However, the tripe that happens in bars is just that. Ranks up there with 'air guitar'. Jaysus. Do that in your living room, alone--or with shitfaced friends. Not in public. IMO.