Spend a little time in Palm Beach County karaoke bars and you're bound to encounter a wiry older man with wild puffs of hair and a beard he dies to match his outlandish outfits. If you're not careful, he may try to grind with you onstage.
Allan Lee, 79, sings karaoke every night of the week, carrying around an enormous binder to keep track of his repertoire of nearly 9,000 songs. He fearlessly gyrates and raps to Justin Timberlake, Ricky Martin, and Lil Wayne, reveling in the crowd's adoration. "It keeps me young inside," Lee says. "I love to make people smile and laugh and enjoy themselves."
This Wednesday, karaoke jockey Alex Doll is planning to hold an Allan Lee imitation contest
at John Bull English Pub in West Palm Beach. Contestants must dress like Lee and attempt to emulate his unique, sweet-grandpa-meets-dirty-old-man style. For inspiration, here's a peek at some of Lee's best work.
Covering Justin Timberlake's "Sexyback":
Covering Ricky Martin's "She Bangs":
Covering Lil Wayne's "Lollipop":
