By request. The full clip of Karen's drum solo from the Carpenters 1976 first ever television special. Visit www.GoCarpenters.com to help induct the Carpenters into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!
She looks so joyful here, like she's truly having the time of her life. A phenomenal talent in every area. That she's not still around today is a pure tragedy. RIP Karen.
I spoke to a person that saw the Carpenters in Vegas before the shows folded. They said the only time Karen looked happy was when she was playing drums.
In an interview, someone asked Neil Peart how it felt to be the greatest drummer in the world. Neil said, "I wouldn't know, you'll have to Ask Karen Carpenter".
Karen Carpenter would be 73 years old if she were alive today. I’m 71 years old and I loved their music. Karen had the voice of an angel. It’s only within the last 10 years that I’ve been able to listen to music by The Carpenters… because every time their music came on the radio my heart broke all over again. Rest In Paradise Karen 🙏💖🙏
wow 73, i guess that would be right, still so young. I wonder if she would have got well many months before her death (let's say 4 months for example), and got back on the right diet and weight , how long would her heart have lasted since it was already damaged? I guess only a heart surgeon would be able to answer that, so please IF YOU ARE A HEART SURGEON, please respond to this comment.
I couldn't say she was underrated, in 1975 there was a poll taken where she's rated/voted above John Bonham of Led Zeppelin as best drummer. As of today Bonham is considered #1 rock drummer (I prefer Cozy Powell or Ian Paice as the best drummer)
@@paulmatsukawa3845 yo dat shit rigged she straight up drown John bonham bitch fed him liquor and pushed him off da boat tryna get his position in led Zeppelin bitch trifflin
Karen was actually very under rated as a drummer back then. I can tell you this from experience with her. At the end of her solo here when she is doing the symbol work with her right hand. Listen to her left hand. She was doing things only drummers like Buddy Rich were doing at the time. She was also a real doll. I worked The Carpenters briefly. I had a girlfriend at the time that played drums. Karen let her sit on her drum kit and gave her some pointers. Karen was a wonderful lady. I really miss Karen.
If someone can sync that effectively to a recorded track, they're a VERY good drummer. It'd be harder to sync that effectively to a drum track than it would be to actually play it. If you watch her arms she's demonstrating the technique of a really good drummer- no wasted movement, forearms really still, lots of doubles, everything is coming from the wrist and the fingers. She looks like someone with wonderful technique.
Karen Carpenter was doubly blessed with tremendous drum chops and a beautiful unmistakable haunting voice. From what I have read, she always considered herself a drummer first, but the voice was the record company moneymaker. RIP, Karen!
She has great energy as well. Her whole demeanor is great and it is a shame she had personal issues caused by undesirable people. She was beautiful inside and out.
Just look at that smile on her while she's playing. And just listen to how artistic she is in her playing -- just flawless. Never mind that she is one of the most iconic singers of the 1970s+ -- she would have been a great jazz drummer and showperson. Some people were just meant to be famous for all of the right reasons. RIP, Karen Carpenter.
Some people have a gift. Yes, she paid her dues, working in small venues, practicing. But she didn't create her pipes. Her 'face mask' comes from her DNA. You can train to sing to the best level your personal instrument can do. I know! I studied vocal technique at a university. I hit the pitches perfectly with no glisses and my vibrato is even and controlled. But my timbre? My timbre sucks! I could vocalize until the cows came home (and with me singing, they didn't want to come home! rimshot!). I could never be a great lead singer. So, instead, I'm a great guitarist!
Like all cancerous acts in Hollywood, it was a producer who told her "Nobody likes you sitting behind the drums. They can't see your pretty face, and girls like to sing, they don't play drums. Are you trying to sell albums or what?"
@@JFish-df2ep concuerdo ; pero de ahí , llamarla " la mejor baterista de todos los tiempos " .... bueno , es confesar que nunca escuchó Creecdence , y no quiero abusar , mencionando Samy Davis Jr. , o Luis Benson , o Jin Krupa ...... 🤷♂️ ???
@@CarlosEduardo-mb2sl Gene Krupa is the only drummer you mentioned... Sammy Davis Jr. was a piano main, he played drums okay... never heard of Luis Benson, can't even find a musician of any fame by that name.
No way in hell is she better than John bohnam, who ever thinks she is better than him is an idiot. I been playing drums since elementary school and I can put her ass to shame.but she was a good drummer but nowhere near my man John bonham. He was simply the greatest drummer of all time.
@@scottpollack5453It was the 1975 Playboy magazine poll. She was 10th and Bonzo was 11th. Don’t know who they polled but I imagine they would have been impressed by a woman with strong wrists.😊
As a drummer I can say she is a natural, has picked-up some Buddy Rich flair and style and has remarkable timing and wonderful fills and creativity. Her another world beautiful, haunting voice is another gold star. Karen was a super talent. So sad about how her life ended so early.
In 1971 I took my then-girlfriend, now wife to see Mark Lindsay at a concert where he opened for the Carpenters. We almost left after his set because neither of us were really interested in the Carpenters. I'm so glad we stayed, because that's one of the best concerts I ever saw and I'm so grateful I was able to see this talented woman perform in person. She's amazing and shamefully under appreciated.
Yes! She never wanted the spotlight or to be up front singing, she only wanted to play the drums and do backup vocals. I think the stress of being thrust up front is part of what made her so insecure and led to her anorexia. It's so wonderful to see how she lit up when she got behind the drums. She loved it. Such wonderful talent, gone way too soon. So sad that she never found love.
Karen Carpenter was a musical anomaly, and genius. I was a small one when she was doing her thing, and - as a footnote, eating disorders suck. A fabulous drummer, vocalist, and percussionist.
This was the real Karen!! Playing the drums the awesome way only she could do it, dressed in trousers, moving on stage and being happy!! I can feel how NOT being allowed to be HERSELF led her to her sad end... Yes, she was a beautiful woman and a great singer and songwriter. BUT her greatest passion was to play the drums!!! Not being who you are, KILLS. Here's to you, Karen 🌹
@@ikemreacts I have no reason to lie about Karen Carpenter. It's a known fact that her brother wanted her out front. Go back and read about them. She loved drumming and felt safer behind her drum kit. She That felt like "home" to her. Her brother really did think she'd ENJOY singing out front. Her extraordinary voice is what made them popular, not her drumming. You seem not to know much about band dynamics, and how members influence one another. Oh, and at age 72, I'm hardly a "casual liar." I remember the Carpenters very well.
@@mt.shasta6097 I don't know the history on this and you may be right, and if that's true I'm sure he was looking out for her best interest...and probably his too. If he had any idea how badly that would affect her, I believe he wouldn't have pushed her to be up front.
What can I say? Karen Carpenter was nothing short of phenomenal as a drummer. Her playing speaks for itself. Rest in peace Karen, and I hope to meet you in the afterlife.
Her class, her style, her JOY! I can't help but think that if she had continued playing, she might have survived her eating disorder. She still brings tears to my eyes.
I'm a 64 year old lifelong musician, singer, songwriter who idolized the Doors, Hendrix, Santana and a hundred more, but if you asked me what my biggest rock and roll fantasy is it's always been to have met Karen in person and shaken her hand and looked into the eyes of who in my opinion is the greatest female singer in history.
@@marktarr3068 technical skills is nothing if you don't have creativity...and Karen Carpenter had both. She def deserves more credibility in the drumming world.
@@PhoenixSplash didn’t she win numerous votes for best drummer in magazines over John Bonham, Keith Moon and others? She was totally recognized and admired back then. It is sad that all three self destructed
There are, and have been, a lot of drummers, and professionals in bands & session playing where insane skill is par for the course have to make up more than 5%, not to mention all the kids who grew up playing in church whose names we’ll never know 🤷🏽♂️
I'm a little ashamed I didn't know how good she was, WOW! I've never seen this before and I'm glad I did. What a cool idea way back then, so cool. So clean so crisp, great control.
Oh my word!!! I grew up with this band in the seventies... being born in 71 and I had NO idea Karen Carpenter was a drummer?! What the..🤦♀️🤷♀️ And not just a drummer.. but one of our BEST in music history.!! Mind blown! kind of drummer!! Not to mention there will never be anyone who can sing like Karen Carpenter again. Her stunning voice was like syrup.. Easily hitting any notes. And on the first take!!! People can't tell the difference between a recorded song or a live Karen Carpenter song. That's HOW GOOD her voice really IS. She's still very missed. And when a Karen Carpenter song comes on.. you leave it on❣️👌🤙 she was, from the beginning, always a star!
ok, here we go. I was saying that the fame of being a headliner is more taxing and more people wanna piece of you than a session musician. I Am well aware of Carpenters eating disorder, I watched her live on TV when I was younger. My sister had all of her albums, which was and was not a good thing.
i was in a childrens choir that was picked to sing at the Carpenters concert back in 74.. I remember sitting in an empty auditorium between shows just watching Karen run up the kit and tear into it...Just relaxing...
So much talent. Makes me sad she did not live to see how far her drumming could have carried her into the 1980's and the collaborations she could have had. Makes me sad whenever I see Karen play or sing, but at the same time, such a pleasure. Her smile is contagious.
There's so few female drummers that The Industry has allowed to exist. In the 70s it was even worse. Karen was perfectly comfortable singing from the kit, but the producers badgered her into being a pop star because that was where the money was. "Girls don't play drums, girls sing".
She didn't realize the power she had, she could have shoved her drum sticks up their butt and said, "I'll be singing from my little chair behind the drums, and by the way , don't ever talk to me again or the highhat goes up your butt next!" She had enough talent and personality to be they most badassed motel room wrecker ever! She was too well behaved for her own good, that was the death of her. Take that as a lesson kid, all authorities are suffering from lack of the public shoving things up their butt! Helps bells, we used to tar and feather the arrogant mucker fothers.
Seen a couple of clips of her drumming, she's a badass...I couldn't believe she was that good of a drummer when she had a voice like an angel as well. So some people got it all, and she was really goodlooking too before her illness got the best of her. R I P Karen.
I loved her from the first time I ever heard her. I'm 61 years old now, and every time I hear one of her songs, it just takes me back. RIP Karen, you are missed. Oh, and she could play the hell out of the drums.
I was really surprised to learn in a documentary that she was never comfortable up front in the singing spotlight, her passion was drumming but her stunning voice kind of dictated otherwise.
The media men and producers told her "You're too pretty to sit behind a drum kit. Nobody can see your face. If they can't see your face, why will they buy your albums?"
@@jasoncarswell7458 I've said elsewhere that if she'd lasted just a few more years, Phil Collins would have been around to assure her that nobody cares if you look pretty as long as you can blow them away with your talent
For all those complaining about this being cheesy, It never would have been put on television if it wasn't cheesy. It was created as a family variety show special in the '70's for gosh sakes. I'm still impressed by her sense of rhythm.
FlyingsCool I don't think it's cheesy. She was a professional drummer. One can tell by the way she hold the sticks and her rudiments. Today's drummers are all about showing off. Sometimes cheesy is the best for of silmplicity.
I totally agree. I knew from reading about The Carpenters that she was the drummer for the duo, but I had NO idea that she was at this level. The shit she's pulling off here, and seemingly so offhandedly, would make most other "drummers" of today sweat. This is some intense stuff she's doing, and yet it's all done with a warm smile and a sly sense of humor. If she hadn't passed away at such a young age, I do believe she'd still be going, and she'd be even more of a force of nature. What a miracle she was.
Karen Carpenters' handling of tones is impressive, with incredible precision, you left us 41 years ago, but our life is better when we listen to your songs, and how much better it would have been with your presence in our lives, I watch your videos and always you are with a smile
I remember seeing this live on TV over 40 years ago, and talking about it in school the next day. I never forgot it, but I haven't seen it since, until today.
I remember that. I never ever missed any of their television appearances. I saw every episode of their television show. Owned every record. I was a huge fan.
Neil Peart of Rush was once asked how does it feel to be the world's greatest drummer. He responded I don't know, you'll have to ask Karen Carpenter. RIP to both Neil and Karen, 2 of the best.
The video is a bit off, but there is no question she is playing and there is no question, (as a drummer myself for over forty years) she is one damn good drummer ! She really could play ! Its too bad that her life was cut short . She was incredibly talented ! thanks to the person who up loaded this treasure !
@@generaltso6914 They definitely did. There are multiple moments where it's ever-so-slightly off, and one spot where her set keeps playing after she gets up from it, but she seemed to know all the parts nearly verbatim, so I assume she personally pre-tracked it and then for the video capture she is miming herself.
Gosh, so much talent, Karen, a total goddess, you can tell she loved playing the drums, and always with her magical smile, the good thing is that there are so many videos and that listening to your songs makes our lives happy.
imagine if Karen got into the early hard rock and metal like Sabbath and Zeppelin. She probably would've been considered the best female rock drummer ever had she backed a rock band. she's greatly underrated Edit: I haven't noticed how many responses I have gotten because YT never shows them in my notifications but I do want to address all of the haters: stop trying to bring this woman down. I can play drums too. I am nowhere near this woman's level (I'm a guitarist above all). I can't stand people who don't play instruments trying to critique her playing style or chops. She's great. Get over it
She took a public position against "hardness" in rock. Maybe she was repeating what her handlers dictated to her, but in 1973 interviews, she and Richard made some pretty negative comments about Mott The Hoople sucking. Carpenters Org were definitely top--40 focused.
Dear lord, she is embarrassingly bad here. This is basically equivalent to when on a sitcom one of the actors pretends his character knows how to play drums and has to play at some talent show for an episode, and any real life musician is just sitting at home watching the episode, shaking their head. She is hitting some cymbals and hitting some toms lol. She's putting on nice little performance for the kiddies is all this is.
what any man? you mean any great male drummer you pillock! most guys do not play the drums, let alone as good as that! Besides, she was better that the guys.. BECAUSE she was a woman! Women were not meant to, or encouraged to paly drums... HERS WAS PURE UNADULTURATED TALENT!!
Not only was Karen a great percussionist, one of the best singers of all time, but also an incredible showman.......or show - person if that comes across better. Amazing smile and energy. It seems I appreciate her more and more as time marches on.
There we'll never be another Karen Carpenter.. she was a one of kind jewel only to ever existed and weren't we lucky to have seen her brilliance in this lifetime. 🌹🙏
One of the best voices I've ever heard. Surprised to learn she also played drums, but then again not suprised there's even more talent there. RIP Karen.
She had severe anorexia and she's looks really thin, not healthy at all, but you're right that she looks happy here. I don't know if it's fake or if music made her happy.
@@JaneDoe-ci3gj She looks a lot more healthy here than in her last days, thin yes but nothing bad. Also this is cfrom 1976 so it wasnt so bad at that time.
It was the record executives who wanted her to scrap the drums and do vocals only. Sadly, being a front woman took its toll, too much pressure on her appearance. She was more comfortable behind her drum kit. She could sing and play the drums simultaneously…she may still be alive if allowed to do that. A bad marriage didn’t help either 😔
God, this is amazing! My first time seeing this and I've been playing for 40 years. I'm not really a Carpenters fan per se, but rather an enthusiast of 70s pop culture. I always knew Karen had talent all around, but never checked her out as a drummer (so much great music, so little time!). As a 70s enthusiast, sure, I'd say the Carpenters had some cuts. As a drummer, I'd say Karen had serious talent, criminally underrated!!! What a terrible loss!!!
So talented, so fun to watch, an absolute joy to listen to, and so undeniably beautiful! It breaks my heart every time I am reminded that she is indeed gone from this world.
Karen's voice, when it comes to the last few syllables of the lyric line, her voice gets bigger and bigger, yet softer and softer. It does not intimidate or haunt or show off. It just grows more generous and accepting . . . and it has a way of saying: "Come with me. I will show your these neat things that we can share." The sound goes, like, up in her mind and soul, and comes out to welcome us. RIP, Karen Carpenter. I wish I had known you.
I remember seeing the Carpenters on T V here in the UK in the late 70's. Karen was playing drums and had a broken right leg if I remember correctly.. Karen was a consumate professional. To me, her voice is still one of the purest and best female voices I have ever heard. "Goodbye to Love" is probably my favourite song, the combination of her voice and that guitar solo is truly amazing. I was broken hearted to hear of her passing, RIP Karen, I can never forget you.
Karen was awesome! It's so sad we lost her WAY WAY too soon. My inspiration to play the trumpet, Herb Alpert (I love you Herb--I NEED to meet you!) was so devastated by Karen's death, and rightfully so--even today talking about this makes him cry. And Herb is known for happy music and a happy personality. If I ever see any video of Herb breaking down during an interview about Karen, I'll definitely "lose it" myself. That is just utterly heart wrenching. Karen was a pretty good drummer--very good actually, and she will be so sorely missed. If not for Herb Alpert, she and the Carpenters might never have even had a record at all. Their break out hit "Close to you" features a short piece played on trumpet by Herb Alpert. A great band, memorable music, and a beautiful lady who left us MUCH too early! RIP Karen, hope you are still making music in heaven! Your music here on earth WAS heaven. Rick Delair.
I grew up in the Fair Haven section of New Haven Ct. My neighbor ( who has joined Karen in Heaven) Frank Izzo went to school with Karen. Frank also was a graduate of the Hart School of Music and an excellent drummer who helped me get started drumming at age 10. I had an instant crush on Karen when I heard the song Close to you. Her voice and musical talent along with her showmanship are far beyond the highest accolades. Frank once told me "put on a show". I chose to be more stoic, like many of the Drummers I'd seen in the 60's who were all business. This show was amazing and coincidentally, the Carpenters opened the New Haven Coliseum back in 1972!
Karen’s technique looks like what Freddie Gruber taught Steve Smith and Neil Peart. It’s beautifully simplistic and efficient, and she clearly had some chops.
This woman was phenomenal. She played the drums with authority. Damn society for her loosing her life. Damn shame. Hope where ever she is. She’s at peace.
well that was something else to watch. such talent and grace....all while having fun and smiling and working the viewers. drumming is a lot harder than it looks too. she was awesome.
