Give Laura Nyro a look, amazing songwriter, many bands got rich off her skills-big name bands we knew & loved. Born 1947-97-of cancer, her Mom passed of the same disease, same calendar day. I was pretty young when Laura became popular but what a talent. Karen covered more than a few of her songs.
Get it Karen! It is so nice to see her pursue he real joy in life. And they were soooo young. Yes she did play the drums first. They had to pretty much force her off the kit to be up front. But her gifted voice was the key to their fortunes and even she knew that.
She was only 18 here. Karen always felt she was a drummer who also sang, not vice versa. She started on drums in her high school marching band. Thankfully, they realized Dick Carpenter Trio was perhaps not the best name. The bass player is Bill Sissoyev
I love this clip of 18 year old Karen Carpenter killing it on the drums. Yes They were the Dick Carpenter Trio before they got their A&M record contract in 1969. They won the Battle of the Bands at the Hollywood Bowl in LA as a jazz trio.
Not sure which was more amazing to watch back then. Men walking on the moon, or a breathtakingly beautiful 18 year old GIRL flawlessly singing and tearing up a drum kit at the same time. WOW! Thank you sir for doing this reaction. Brings back fond memories. Thoroughly enjoyed this!
That must be while they were in school since they're announcing that so before becoming the Carpenters, her voice is raw in this one. I think the Carpenters group officially started in 1968. Karen played the drums first I think, she enjoyed that the most. This performance was on Your All American College Show and was their first TV performance. They went on to appear on that show another 4 times: 29th June 1968, 9th September 1969, 23rd November 1969, 1st December 1969. Karen amazingly played the drums with quite some power whilst singing their Mamas & The Papas inspired version of the Motown classic. The duo would return to the song on 1978 for their third TV special, the recording of which was placed on the album "As Time Goes By". Another full length version of "Dancing In The Street" was also recorded later in 1978 along with the much talked about "Thank You For The Music". Both remain unreleased per online info.
And to think she had only been drumming for about 3 years at that point, she was crazy talented. And for drummers, it’s not just the hands, both feet are going too! In one of the many biographies on here, Richard said he always thought her voice sounded great at home when they worked on stuff but then he heard it coming thru the speakers in Joe Osborn’s home studio & knew it was something special.
Base level, she did an amazing job on this. Her drumming was dynamic, with just enough showyness to keep people's attention while maintaining a controlled volume level. Now factor in that she did it in high-heeled go-go boots and in a heavy-weight outfit. She never once wavered or even broke a sweat; an entertainer's entertainer.
My father was in a group in the 60's kind of like that. He played in what was known as cocktail lounges. He sang and played at the same time. I could always sing but never able to do both at the same time. It is a real gift to those who can
Wow, I have never seen this. This must go way back before they were big. The MC introduced them as the Dick Carpenter Trio. (Richard Carpenter - her brother) Looks to me like she was playing the drums first. . . . . . again, thanks for showing this.
I saw her drum and sing in 1972 Jamel. The very best Karen Carpenter song? TRYING TO GET THE FEELING AGAIN. Recorded in 1975,then lost. It was found again by Richard Carpenter and he released in 1994 --11 years after Karen died . The song will blow you away. The audio is here on TH-cam .
Karen was only 18 here and Richard about 22 or so. She always loved drumming. She said she was a drummer who happened to sing! She played drums in high school band and worked with other drummers. She worked with her choir teacher after they realized she had a great voice to tap into her lower register and singing
Hearing this makes me elated and heartbroken at the same time. This free form jazz makes their personalities shine. I’ve never seen Karen this joyful and animated. Makes me wonder what could have been? Is commercial success worth it if it diminishes your soul? I’m not a professional mental health Dr. , but I’d like to get a mental health professional’s opinion
Awesome. Karen Carpenter was a bad ass musician. I never realised she could shred a drum kit and sing like an angel at the same time. I'm 51 and a rock guitarist and pianist, and whilst I knew Karen was a legendary singer, I never paid much attention because the Carpenters were pigeonholed as "easy listening". However, after having just seen a bunch of videos on TH-cam I am wowed by her talent.. She was at her absolute best singing behind the kit.. especially in early televised performances around 1968-1971 a lot of which were very jazzy. it's really odd that they pulled her away from the kit more and more as The Carpenters fame grew. So, so terrible that she died so young and we were robbed of so much possible music. She had a talent level all musicians dream of, was beautiful and hugely successful; and yet psychologically tortured to the point of starving her body. It doesn't make any sense.. so damned upsetting really.
Karen was absolutely no joke as a drummer! No less than Buddy Rich once named her as a drummer he really liked. It's easy to imagine that, if the Carpenters had never hit it big, she could have become a hugely in-demand session drummer in the music industry, like a drummer version of Carol Kaye or a female version of Jeff Porcaro. And she'd bring some world-class backing vocals along in the deal!
Hi Jamel, I don’t know how to properly ask for your reaction to what I feel is a special video you are going to love. Maybe not, that’s what reactions are all about but I love it and want to share. It is Carpenters related. On 3/2/24 a group of musicians and a lead singer dropped a song to honor Karen on her birthday in heaven. The song they made is We’ve Only Just Begun. It is a pure homage to Karen’s memory and Carpenters. I’m an OG Carpenters fan. I’m 68 and bought Close To You when I was 14 in 1970, new. This group are all Carpenters fans and as you will hopefully see, this was a labor of love. Jim Wilkas is the mastermind of the project. He produced it and edited and mixed and played multiple instruments on it. There are other musicians from all over the world and the US. The lead singer is a 20 year old named Tori Holub. She is a Carpenters super-fan and idolizes both Carpenter siblings. She sings and is an aspiring audio engineer. On this project Jim is doing that but she does her own short videos. Another thing she did a few years ago. She edited together a demo of Karen drumming. It has garnered well over 70K views. So we have a unique group of people here and this video is very special. I hope you give it a view as I believe you will be impressed. It has well over 120K views in the two weeks it’s out. Wings of Pegasus has analyzed this video and deemed it has no autotune and no pitch correction. It is as true to the time it came from, just created now. Bottom line we can have beautiful music even today we just need talented people who care. I’ve said enough here’s the link and I hope you enjoy it. Joe th-cam.com/video/J95lfJqo9VY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=fiI7cNsd_hQ-0L89 .
There is a documentary on YT where Sheila E actually was interviewed among others about Karen. She was an inspiration to her at a very young age. She saw the Battle of the Bands on TV and said to herself, I could do that and the rest is history.
Hey Jamal....I was so stoked to find a 5 day old video!!!!! Hi you!! I have been watching your 4 years of reactions for a few months now and only just today saw one of Juan Gabriel! So great!! Awesome voice! Have you heard Linda Ronstadt sing from her 'Canciones De Mi Padre' album? It would have been fireworks to have them sing together on stage!! My oh my! Hey, the purpose of this comment is to propose an idea to you. I think it would be great if you did a video just talking to us, ( your adoring fans) your feelings about the music you've reacted to over the years...now that you've been fed such a huge anthology of music...and just share with us what you listen to, from back in the day, while you're driving....romancing....dancing....vacuuming...whatever. What songs or groups has your wife come to love? How many times did you leave 'the studio' and go to her and say, "Hey! You've just GOT to hear this track!!"? Tell us the big picture about the music of the 60's and 70's and what it might mean to the kids of today if they took the time and patience to 'listen to the music'! I would just love to sit back with a glass of wine and listen to you SHARE what this journey has meant to you and yours and where it has brought you to. Whaddya say??? Peace out and blessings to you.
Have seen that video before, but hadn't really noticed previously that what Richard plays solo is part of The Shadow Of Your Smile, an entirely different song. (And one of many standards it would have been wonderful to hear Karen sing...)
Welcome back Jamel, TH-cam’s algorithm had cut you out of my stream for the past couple years. I’ll make sure to click on you at least once a day. She was only 18 when they made this appearance;)!!
Karen was/is my favorite singing drummer. Here is my list of amazing singing drummers: 1) Don Henley (The Eagles) 2) Phil Collins 3) Micky Dolenz (The Monkees) 4) Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger) 5) Sheila E 6) Roger Taylor ((Queen) 7) Chris Cornell (Soundgarden/Audioslave/Temple of the Dog) 8) Buddy Miles (Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys) 9) Peter Criss (Kiss)
New to your channel!!! i love it!!! Please do a reaction to FREDDIE MERCURY singing the opera BARCELONA with opera singer Montserrat Caballe. He favorite performer of all time!!! Your mind will be blown!!!!
I was just watching something on YT telling about how she was ranked higher (#5) than John Bonham (#6) in a '75 Play Boy poll as being a better drummer than Bonham. The guy whose video I was watching thinks that it was due to the fact that PB seemed to favor jazz drummers.
Very like you're right on the Jazz preference. Hugh Hefner and the boys came of age in the '40's and '50's before there was any Rock n Roll as a music genre. And once you get to a certain age in life, you tend to stick to whatever lifestyle preferences & cultural choices you've made.
Karen really wanted to be a drum player and not a singer. im happy she was more of a singer. JAMEL you MUST CHECK OUT a girl named TORI HOLUB I swear she is the re-incarnated version of Karen Carpenter...no joke...
![เปิดบ้าน โคตรสวย ป๋องกพล รู้จักตั้งนาน เพิ่งรู้ว่ารวย!!! l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tmgCF_2HfYI/mqdefault.jpg)
She was only 18 here!! It was such a great loss in the music world.
She was ana amazing musician, singer and performer...I still miss her. But yes, she is a real true jazz drummer.
Karen was the coolest, she was such a badass!
Drumming, not singing, was her PASSION. I’m grateful she did sing and became my all time favorite female vocalist 🤩
yes, drumming was her 1st passion, however, the band had no singer and asked if she would give it a try! and sure enough a star was born!
Give Laura Nyro a look, amazing songwriter, many bands got rich off her skills-big name bands we knew & loved. Born 1947-97-of cancer, her Mom passed of the same disease, same calendar day. I was pretty young when Laura became popular but what a talent. Karen covered more than a few of her songs.
She was the best. #1 in my books.
Karen always said she the happiest when playing drums. You can see it in her eyes and the smile on her face how true that is.
She was best on the mic!
👍 Karen was so musically gifted . She was a very talented drummer and one of the greatest female vocalist of all time.
Get it Karen! It is so nice to see her pursue he real joy in life.
And they were soooo young.
Yes she did play the drums first.
They had to pretty much force her off the kit to be up front. But her gifted voice was the key to their fortunes and even she knew that.
My favorite Singer/Drummer. I call her a once in a creation.
My girl Karen is killing it!❤
Love how she hit the snare.
Not only single stroke but triple.😎
She was only 18 here. Karen always felt she was a drummer who also sang, not vice versa. She started on drums in her high school marching band.
Thankfully, they realized Dick Carpenter Trio was perhaps not the best name. The bass player is Bill Sissoyev
You're mind is going to be blown away!
She was a talented artist, gone too soon ❤
I love this clip of 18 year old Karen Carpenter killing it on the drums. Yes They were the Dick Carpenter Trio before they got their A&M record contract in 1969. They won the Battle of the Bands at the Hollywood Bowl in LA as a jazz trio.
Not sure which was more amazing to watch back then. Men walking on the moon, or a breathtakingly beautiful 18 year old GIRL flawlessly singing and tearing up a drum kit at the same time. WOW!
Thank you sir for doing this reaction. Brings back fond memories. Thoroughly enjoyed this!
That must be while they were in school since they're announcing that so before becoming the Carpenters, her voice is raw in this one. I think the Carpenters group officially started in 1968. Karen played the drums first I think, she enjoyed that the most. This performance was on Your All American College Show and was their first TV performance. They went on to appear on that show another 4 times: 29th June 1968, 9th September 1969, 23rd November 1969, 1st December 1969. Karen amazingly played the drums with quite some power whilst singing their Mamas & The Papas inspired version of the Motown classic. The duo would return to the song on 1978 for their third TV special, the recording of which was placed on the album "As Time Goes By". Another full length version of "Dancing In The Street" was also recorded later in 1978 along with the much talked about "Thank You For The Music". Both remain unreleased per online info.
Karen had some beautiful eyes. And what an incredible musician and singer. Some people are just touched by God. RIP
And to think she had only been drumming for about 3 years at that point, she was crazy talented. And for drummers, it’s not just the hands, both feet are going too! In one of the many biographies on here, Richard said he always thought her voice sounded great at home when they worked on stuff but then he heard it coming thru the speakers in Joe Osborn’s home studio & knew it was something special.
Base level, she did an amazing job on this. Her drumming was dynamic, with just enough showyness to keep people's attention while maintaining a controlled volume level. Now factor in that she did it in high-heeled go-go boots and in a heavy-weight outfit. She never once wavered or even broke a sweat; an entertainer's entertainer.
My father was in a group in the 60's kind of like that. He played in what was known as cocktail lounges. He sang and played at the same time. I could always sing but never able to do both at the same time. It is a real gift to those who can
Karen in her Happy Place.
This is my first time seeing her play drums. Her drum solo at the end was amazing. So cool!
That woman was so talented 😊
Such a beautiful woman, and when it came to her drumming they called her a beast;)!!
Wow, I have never seen this. This must go way back before they were big. The MC introduced them as the Dick Carpenter Trio. (Richard Carpenter - her brother) Looks to me like she was playing the drums first. . . . . . again, thanks for showing this.
One of the best. ❤
Talent always wins rip Karen Carpenter
She always said that she was a drummer 1st, singer 2nd. In a drum contest in LA she came 3rd-Jon Bonham came in 4th! Oh, she was a talent!
My God, she was a teenager here! And to a Bossa Nova beat on the break!
I saw her drum and sing in 1972 Jamel. The very best Karen Carpenter song? TRYING TO GET THE FEELING AGAIN. Recorded in 1975,then lost. It was found again by Richard Carpenter and he released in 1994 --11 years after Karen died . The song will blow you away. The audio is here on TH-cam .
Seems I heard her say she was not a singer who played drums but a drummer who happened to sing.
This performance is absolutely magnificent! Thank you for sharing, I've been following for a long time
Drums first. That how I first learned how incredibly talented she was. Still miss her.
Karen was only 18 here and Richard about 22 or so. She always loved drumming. She said she was a drummer who happened to sing!
She played drums in high school band and worked with other drummers. She worked with her choir teacher after they realized she had a great voice to tap into her lower register and singing
So talented !
Hearing this makes me elated and heartbroken at the same time. This free form jazz makes their personalities shine. I’ve never seen Karen this joyful and animated. Makes me wonder what could have been? Is commercial success worth it if it diminishes your soul? I’m not a professional mental health Dr. , but I’d like to get a mental health professional’s opinion
Awesome. Karen Carpenter was a bad ass musician. I never realised she could shred a drum kit and sing like an angel at the same time. I'm 51 and a rock guitarist and pianist, and whilst I knew Karen was a legendary singer, I never paid much attention because the Carpenters were pigeonholed as "easy listening". However, after having just seen a bunch of videos on TH-cam I am wowed by her talent.. She was at her absolute best singing behind the kit.. especially in early televised performances around 1968-1971 a lot of which were very jazzy. it's really odd that they pulled her away from the kit more and more as The Carpenters fame grew. So, so terrible that she died so young and we were robbed of so much possible music. She had a talent level all musicians dream of, was beautiful and hugely successful; and yet psychologically tortured to the point of starving her body. It doesn't make any sense.. so damned upsetting really.
Oh yeah.⭐ Awesome Karen. RIP Angel💗
Great video Jamel! I always marvel at this clip. Karen was just amazing 🤩. RIP
Karen was absolutely no joke as a drummer! No less than Buddy Rich once named her as a drummer he really liked. It's easy to imagine that, if the Carpenters had never hit it big, she could have become a hugely in-demand session drummer in the music industry, like a drummer version of Carol Kaye or a female version of Jeff Porcaro. And she'd bring some world-class backing vocals along in the deal!
Hi Jamel,
I don’t know how to properly ask for your reaction to what I feel is a special video you are going to love. Maybe not, that’s what reactions are all about but I love it and want to share. It is Carpenters related. On 3/2/24 a group of musicians and a lead singer dropped a song to honor Karen on her birthday in heaven. The song they made is We’ve Only Just Begun. It is a pure homage to Karen’s memory and Carpenters. I’m an OG Carpenters fan. I’m 68 and bought Close To You when I was 14 in 1970, new. This group are all Carpenters fans and as you will hopefully see, this was a labor of love. Jim Wilkas is the mastermind of the project. He produced it and edited and mixed and played multiple instruments on it. There are other musicians from all over the world and the US. The lead singer is a 20 year old named Tori Holub. She is a Carpenters super-fan and idolizes both Carpenter siblings. She sings and is an aspiring audio engineer. On this project Jim is doing that but she does her own short videos. Another thing she did a few years ago. She edited together a demo of Karen drumming. It has garnered well over 70K views. So we have a unique group of people here and this video is very special. I hope you give it a view as I believe you will be impressed. It has well over 120K views in the two weeks it’s out. Wings of Pegasus has analyzed this video and deemed it has no autotune and no pitch correction. It is as true to the time it came from, just created now. Bottom line we can have beautiful music even today we just need talented people who care.
I’ve said enough here’s the link and I hope you enjoy it.
Joe
th-cam.com/video/J95lfJqo9VY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=fiI7cNsd_hQ-0L89
.
Jamel....please do so much more of her! Don't you realize how much music she has??😢
The only time I ever saw her smile was when she was playing the drums!❤ RIP
Would love to hear what Shelia E would have say about sister Karen. Lady had mad skilz
There is a documentary on YT where Sheila E actually was interviewed among others about Karen. She was an inspiration to her at a very young age. She saw the Battle of the Bands on TV and said to herself, I could do that and the rest is history.
Chicks got chops! Indisputable. She was just an 18 year old kid at this time too.
If she was allowed to stay behind the drum kit she might still be with us. But she was such an amazing singer it made sense for her to front the band.
Sweet Man With the Golden Arm
Hal Blaine (Wrecking crew) played drums on the albums
Karen did some also. Now and Then was her album (except Jambalaya, Hal).
Drums first, they made her go out front because people couldn’t see the singer. Remember, this is when she and her brother were in college.
Great reaction 🤩🤭🤩 please react Carpenters A song for You in complete version 😊😊
Hey Jamal....I was so stoked to find a 5 day old video!!!!! Hi you!! I have been watching your 4 years of reactions for a few months now and only just today saw one of Juan Gabriel! So great!! Awesome voice! Have you heard Linda Ronstadt sing from her 'Canciones De Mi Padre' album? It would have been fireworks to have them sing together on stage!! My oh my! Hey, the purpose of this comment is to propose an idea to you. I think it would be great if you did a video just talking to us, ( your adoring fans) your feelings about the music you've reacted to over the years...now that you've been fed such a huge anthology of music...and just share with us what you listen to, from back in the day, while you're driving....romancing....dancing....vacuuming...whatever. What songs or groups has your wife come to love? How many times did you leave 'the studio' and go to her and say, "Hey! You've just GOT to hear this track!!"? Tell us the big picture about the music of the 60's and 70's and what it might mean to the kids of today if they took the time and patience to 'listen to the music'! I would just love to sit back with a glass of wine and listen to you SHARE what this journey has meant to you and yours and where it has brought you to. Whaddya say??? Peace out and blessings to you.
Love you stuff brother
This is from before they were signed to a deal with A&M Records.
Have seen that video before, but hadn't really noticed previously that what Richard plays solo is part of The Shadow Of Your Smile, an entirely different song. (And one of many standards it would have been wonderful to hear Karen sing...)
Welcome back Jamel, TH-cam’s algorithm had cut you out of my stream for the past couple years.
I’ll make sure to click on you at least once a day.
She was only 18 when they made this appearance;)!!
Great stuff!😊😮
Karen was/is my favorite singing drummer. Here is my list of amazing singing drummers:
1) Don Henley (The Eagles)
2) Phil Collins
3) Micky Dolenz (The Monkees)
4) Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger)
5) Sheila E
6) Roger Taylor ((Queen)
7) Chris Cornell (Soundgarden/Audioslave/Temple of the Dog)
8) Buddy Miles (Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys)
9) Peter Criss (Kiss)
Levon Helm From the Band
That pocket 🔥
She beat Led Zeppelin's John Bonham in a Playboy poll for best drummer.
Karen was around 19 at that point. What a talent.
She was actually a very good drummer.
She was 18 yo when this was recorded ❤.
She always preferred to be thought of as a drummer first, not a vocalist.
I think the drummer with the afro you are thinking about might be Don Henley of the Eagles from the Hotel California video.
Cool show 5:14
New to your channel!!! i love it!!! Please do a reaction to FREDDIE MERCURY singing the opera BARCELONA with opera singer Montserrat Caballe. He favorite performer of all time!!! Your mind will be blown!!!!
He already has
notice how small her kit is for all the sound she gets..
I was just watching something on YT telling about how she was ranked higher (#5) than John Bonham (#6) in a '75 Play Boy poll as being a better drummer than Bonham. The guy whose video I was watching thinks that it was due to the fact that PB seemed to favor jazz drummers.
Very like you're right on the Jazz preference. Hugh Hefner and the boys came of age in the '40's and '50's before there was any Rock n Roll as a music genre.
And once you get to a certain age in life, you tend to stick to whatever lifestyle preferences & cultural choices you've made.
I really miss your music reaction videos, I have a video you will love: Band-Maid Thrill. All girl Japanese rock band
This version is clearly rushed, because they're performing live. A common thing back then.
How about listening to MacArthur Park, composed by Jimmy Webb?
So sad all the reactors do so lil of her music!
18 years old ❤
Karen really wanted to be a drum player and not a singer. im happy she was more of a singer. JAMEL you MUST CHECK OUT a girl named TORI HOLUB I swear she is the re-incarnated version of Karen Carpenter...no joke...
She was a better drummer and loved it much more than singing!!!