ROSLYN PUB PULLS PLUG ON KARAOKE AFTER POWER BALLAD 'INCIDENT'
Nobody's saying which song. Everyone knows which song.
Karaoke night at a Roslyn local has been canned indefinitely after what management is calling a "power ballad incident" on Thursday night, leaving regulars to drink in silence like it's a bloody funeral.
The pub, a low-slung brick number off the main drag, has run karaoke every Thursday for nine years without major incident. That run ended around 10.40pm when a bloke in a hi-vis vest got hold of the mic, requested a Meat Loaf number, and refused to relinquish either the microphone or the small wooden stage for the better part of 23 minutes.
"He did the whole thing," said regular Cheryl Mapplethorpe, 58, still visibly buggered by the experience. "All of it. Then he started it again. The KJ tried to fade him out and he just sang louder. My mate Lorraine left. Lorraine never leaves."
The publican, who asked to be identified only as "over it", said the final straw was when a second punter climbed up to do harmonies uninvited. "Two of them up there. Eyes closed. Holding hands by the second chorus. I've pulled beers through some rough nights but that one rooted me."
A spokesperson for the venue confirmed karaoke was suspended "pending review", which in Palmerston North bureaucracy-speak means at least until the wind changes. The machine has been moved to the back office and covered with a tea towel.
The hi-vis bloke, contacted via a mate, said he thought it went "alright, actually" and was keen to give it another crack next Thursday. He has not been told.
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Reader Letters
Garry (Halswell)
Back in my day, a power ballad meant dimming the lights and maybe a quick slow dance. Now it ritualistically ends pub nights? Society's going to hell.
CherylFromPalmy
Honestly, this is just typical Roslyn. I live around the corner, and you'd think we could at least handle a bit of Meat Loaf, but no, always something.
power_ballad_fan
@CherylFromPalmy You're right, we Palmy folks should definitely be able to handle a bit of belted out Meat Loaf. It's a rite of passage!
BarryBishopdale
Karaoke ban? Sounding like the council getting involved. They'll be trying to regulate pub noise next. Just let the locals have their fun.
couchgremlin
Lol. Meat Loaf forever.