Richard 'Dick' Carpenter was her big brother who produced arranged and wrote many of their hits. So Karen had only been playing drums for about two years when this was filmed. A fast learner who was always deep in the pocket.
Karen was a drummer until they wanted her to be the front person so people could see her sing. She was amazing & it was a great loss when she passed R.I.P.
That's Bill Sissoyev on the bass, Richard Carpenter on the electric piano and obviously, Karen on drums. This was their first television appearance in 1968. It really was NOT called the Dick Carpenter trio, but the Richard Carpenter Trio. The MC took liberties calling him "Dick", hahaha. No wonder they rolled their eyes. Bill eventually moved on to play in gospel and psychedelic rock groups. Karen and Richard moved on to for Spectrum, then finally, the Carpenters. Try this one next.....Carpenters "Burt Bacharach & Hal David Medley" on The Ed Sullivan Show. This performance was a 1970 episode, which was taped live at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. ....Karen on drums, Richard on electric piano and their background group for live shows.
She had initially tried playing the glockenspiel, but had been inspired by her friend Frankie Chavez, who had been drumming since he was three. She became enthusiastic about the drums, and began to learn complex pieces, such as Dave Brubeck's "Take Five".[14] Chavez persuaded her parents to buy a Ludwig drum kit in late 1964, and she began lessons with local jazz players, including how to read concert music. She quickly replaced the entry-level kit with a large Ludwig set that was a similar set-up to Brubeck's drummer, Joe Morello. Richard and Karen gave their first public performance together in 1965, as part of the pit band for a local production of Guys and Dolls. Richard teamed up with Jacobs, who played tuba and stand-up bass and fromed the jazz trio. Jacobs left to study classical music and join the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Richard Carpenter Trio disbanded.
Karen was really a Jazz drummer, and more than a 1,2,3, 4 beat drummer. In some of their earlier jazz recordings, when she was 16 years old playing the drums and singing, will blow you away. Check out her Jazz drumming on this recording of, All I Can Do (Demo Tape 1968). Karen left us too soon. th-cam.com/video/y8-S1HZZUOQ/w-d-xo.html
"Dancing in the Street" is a song written by Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter. It first became popular in 1964 when recorded by Martha and the Vandellas whose version reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks.
More on Wesley Jacobs: Wesley Jacobs Principal tubist, Detroit Symphony Orchestra (ret.) Tubist Wesley Jacobs began his musical career in Los Angeles, California as string bassist with the popular music group The Carpenters (then in its formation). Concurrently, Mr. Jacobs enhanced his musical development by performing with the Los Angeles Brass Society under Lester Remsen. During this time Wesley was an active performer for Hollywood Studios in movie soundtracks including several on- screen movie appearances. Mr. Jacobs attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he performed as tubist in the Juilliard Orchestra under Director Jean Morel and the National Orchestral Association under Leon Barzin. In 1968 he was appointed and accepted the position of Principal Tubist of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. From 1968 to 1970 he performed both Opera and Ballet (San Francisco Ballet). During this time he was also Tubist of the San Francisco Brass Quintet. In 1970 Sixten Ehrling appointed Wesley as Principal Tubist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. It is with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra that he served a 38 year tenure working with many of the great conductors and Music Directors of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Mr. Jacobs has recorded more than 180 works with the DSO, toured throughout the world and has been heard in thousands of international radio broadcasts. Upon Wesley’s retirement from the Detroit Symphony in 2008 Music Director Leonard Slatkin stated “…he [Jacobs] is a musician leaving us at the top of his game.”
The Carpentees were 1st known as The Rick Carpenter Trio when they started out. They played mostly Jazz music. That's why the music sound was up tempo. Once she became the forever son they changed the name to the Carpents and the main singer. Love the 70's Many good songs of the Carpenters. 🫶🎤🎶🎧👍💚
The girl could sing. One of the most beautiful female vocalists ever. If she only believed in herself like the rest of us saw in her maybe she would be alive today
This is the video that you should watch, it is her drum Solo on their Television special 1975. The picture quality isn't the best but you will forget about that once she starts her solo and you can tell by her smile and glow, that this was her passion. th-cam.com/video/sdHyzGXAJPg/w-d-xo.html
I first became familiar with Richard and Karen in 1965. Richard (keyboards wrote part of their music arranged it and was the trio's leader) was around 19 and Karen (drummer did NOT sing) 15 years old and Wes Jacobs played bass or tuba. They were known as The Dick Carpenter Jazz Trio. In 1966 they won the Hollywood Bowl with 2 songs "Iced Tea" which Richard wrote and "Girl from Ipanema". In 1967 Wes went to Juilliard and Bill Sissoyev took over on base which you just played. In 1967 they formed a sextet SPECTRUM with Richard on Keyboard Karen on drums and Bettis on guitar, who began writing lyrics to Richard's songs, guitarist Gary Sims, bassist Dan Woodhams, and vocalist Leslie "Toots" Johnston . Saw them at the Whisky A Go Go. Karen still not the singer. There are 5 Carpenter songs at th-cam.com/play/PLA3id59yQgEra6kOn1qSV-ZPQRR6kvw8q.html That were recorded before they became Carpenters (1965 to 1967). Iced Tea and Girl From Ipanema were recorded at the bowl Karen was the drummer on all of them. This was a jazz version of Dancing in The Street they were primarily a jazz trio and she was one hell of a jazz drummer and Richard was fantastic as was Wes and Bill.
She actually placed one spot better than John Bonham in an early 70's Rolling Stone poll of drummers. Not sure what Bonzo thought of that. And Buddy Rich spoke well of her and he knew stuff about drums.
May I give you a correction. It was the February 1975 Playboy Magazine readers poll on music, results. In the drumming category, Karen was 10th, Bonham 11th and Buddy was #1. Thanks to a 19 year old female singer & Carpenters collector. I was able to get a screen shot of that page.
@@jbs256 It's also worth noting that the Playboy constituency was much more oriented to jazz than rock, which gave her a boost. Bonham was royally pissed (at least when he learned of it while drunk - he may have had more perspective when he sobered). Reportedly, Karen responded by recreating the drum part of one of Led Zep's more challenging songs without even having to practice.
They were young and starting out then, their big time came in the early 70s and they reconstituted at that time. Fun fact: when your playboy instrumental pole had her on top of John Bonham for drumming!
Hi, this predated Carpenters by about a year. This was about 3 years of Karen on drums. That was Bill Sisoyev (sp?) on electric bass. Wes had already left. This was a college competition show and syndicated. They came in second in the total contest but won or tied some levels of the competition. She got BETTER. I’m going to leave a couple of links below. One to a 1973 appearance on The Tonight Show in a totally live performance with Karen on drums and singing lead. The song is Mr. Guder from the Close To You album. Karen drummed this for the album so in concerts this was one of her songs she took to the drums on. This is a restored video from my friend Harvey. He’s been restoring Carpenters videos. Not bad for 50+ years old video. th-cam.com/video/WN6y7RJoYv4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=JqyK0Pxad3Zyb8qc Now for someone else. You most likely don’t know this 21 year old woman. She’s a Carpenters super-fan and Karen is her singing idol. She has a number of Carpenters covers that she’s made in the Short video style. Last year she was discovered on TH-cam by James Wilkas a musician, producer and retired music teacher. He had a Carpenters song that was uncompleted because the lady who was going to sing it unexpectedly passed away in 2019. The project sat until he asked Tori Holub if she’d like to help complete We’ve Only Just Begun. She agreed and here’s what they released on March 2nd last year, Karen’s birthday in heaven. Tori is 20 in the video, same age as Karen for this song. I hope you enjoy this, there’s more… Joe th-cam.com/video/J95lfJqo9VY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=jIJp9p-Egw55l4N2 . Edit: May I be so bold as to say. If by chance, you decide to view the Tori & Jim video, roll tape 😉, to capture your reaction. I’ve been here before and you’re gonna want that. Maybe do a quick TH-cam search of her name. Just warning that the thumbnails may be a spoiler.
Karen Carpenter drum solo 1976!! She goes to different drum kits and types!! One year a list of best drummers came out and she ranked one better than Jon Bonham of Led Zeppelin. He was not happy!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎🎸🤟🏼
Part II 😁 2nd time visiting? Have you checked out THIS MASQUERADE 💕 Written by Leon Russell and also an amazing cover was done by Jazz guitar artist George Benson. If you haven't done any George Benson on your channel yet,,,,, Shame 😞 on You!! Jokes! ☯️☮️
I do not think that Karen Carpenter could be ranked anywhere near the great drummers we all know. I would certainly say she was competent though. Now as a singer, she could be easily ranked as one of the best of all time.
it's hard to tell. The songs they did as The Carpenters did not call for spectacular drumming. When they were a trio playing jazz, she probably was more challenged. Other professional drummers have spoken well of her, but who's going to slam her after she died.
As great as Richard Carpenter was on keys, it annoys me he takes a solo by jumping into completly unrelated pop tune The Shadow of Your Smile and at hyper speed. Weird.
Richard 'Dick' Carpenter was her big brother who produced arranged and wrote many of their hits. So Karen had only been playing drums for about two years when this was filmed. A fast learner who was always deep in the pocket.
She really was at her happiest sitting behind that drum!!!
Karen Carpenter was only 18 when she sang this song and played drums
RIP Karen Carpenter - one of the most beautiful singers of all time. She was great on the drums as well!
This was a cover performed live for TV. This was before they were signed to A&M Records.
Karen was a drummer until they wanted her to be the front person so people could see her sing. She was amazing & it was a great loss when she passed R.I.P.
Dancing in the street has been covered by so many artists but was an original of Martha & the Vandellas.
That's Bill Sissoyev on the bass, Richard Carpenter on the electric piano and obviously, Karen on drums. This was their first television appearance in 1968. It really was NOT called the Dick Carpenter trio, but the Richard Carpenter Trio. The MC took liberties calling him "Dick", hahaha. No wonder they rolled their eyes. Bill eventually moved on to play in gospel and psychedelic rock groups. Karen and Richard moved on to for Spectrum, then finally, the Carpenters. Try this one next.....Carpenters "Burt Bacharach & Hal David Medley" on The Ed Sullivan Show. This performance was a 1970 episode, which was taped live at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. ....Karen on drums, Richard on electric piano and their background group for live shows.
And that outdoor performance at Walter Reed is pure live, too. It is stunning...
Yes! The drums were actually Karen Carpenters true love and remained so her whole life. She had to overcome shyness to take center stage with vocals.
She had initially tried playing the glockenspiel, but had been inspired by her friend Frankie Chavez, who had been drumming since he was three. She became enthusiastic about the drums, and began to learn complex pieces, such as Dave Brubeck's "Take Five".[14] Chavez persuaded her parents to buy a Ludwig drum kit in late 1964, and she began lessons with local jazz players, including how to read concert music. She quickly replaced the entry-level kit with a large Ludwig set that was a similar set-up to Brubeck's drummer, Joe Morello. Richard and Karen gave their first public performance together in 1965, as part of the pit band for a local production of Guys and Dolls. Richard teamed up with Jacobs, who played tuba and stand-up bass and fromed the jazz trio. Jacobs left to study classical music and join the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Richard Carpenter Trio disbanded.
Dancing In The Street was originally by Martha and The Vandellas
Karen was really a Jazz drummer, and more than a 1,2,3, 4 beat drummer. In some of their earlier jazz recordings, when she was 16 years old playing the drums and singing, will blow you away. Check out her Jazz drumming on this recording of, All I Can Do (Demo Tape 1968). Karen left us too soon.
th-cam.com/video/y8-S1HZZUOQ/w-d-xo.html
"Dancing in the Street" is a song written by Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter. It first became popular in 1964 when recorded by Martha and the Vandellas whose version reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks.
There are a couple more videos of her drumming skills where she really tears it up. This was before the Carpenters became famous.
More on Wesley Jacobs: Wesley Jacobs
Principal tubist, Detroit Symphony Orchestra (ret.)
Tubist Wesley Jacobs began his musical career in Los Angeles, California as string bassist with the popular music group The Carpenters (then in its formation). Concurrently, Mr. Jacobs enhanced his musical development by performing with the Los Angeles Brass Society under Lester Remsen. During this time Wesley was an active performer for Hollywood Studios in movie soundtracks including several on- screen movie appearances.
Mr. Jacobs attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he performed as tubist in the Juilliard Orchestra under Director Jean Morel and the National Orchestral Association under Leon Barzin.
In 1968 he was appointed and accepted the position of Principal Tubist of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. From 1968 to 1970 he performed both Opera and Ballet (San Francisco Ballet). During this time he was also Tubist of the San Francisco Brass Quintet.
In 1970 Sixten Ehrling appointed Wesley as Principal Tubist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. It is with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra that he served a 38 year tenure working with many of the great conductors and Music Directors of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Mr. Jacobs has recorded more than 180 works with the DSO, toured throughout the world and has been heard in thousands of international radio broadcasts.
Upon Wesley’s retirement from the Detroit Symphony in 2008 Music Director Leonard Slatkin stated “…he [Jacobs] is a musician leaving us at the top of his game.”
True but Wes Jacobs had gone to Juilliard by 1968. The base player here was Bill Sissoyev
YES, WES JACOBS, BASSIST & TUBA PLYER MOB, YOU GOT IT! 👍😊GOOD RESEARCH
The Carpentees were 1st known as The Rick Carpenter Trio when they started out. They played mostly Jazz music. That's why the music sound was up tempo. Once she became the forever son they changed the name to the Carpents and the main singer. Love the 70's
Many good songs of the Carpenters. 🫶🎤🎶🎧👍💚
I grew up in the 70s with the carpenters music and I did not know that. Learned something new!
IT'S INSANE ISN'T IT MOB!!! LMAO 💯😊 BACK IN 68
The girl could sing. One of the most beautiful female vocalists ever. If she only believed in herself like the rest of us saw in her maybe she would be alive today
Karen Carpenter was the talent.
Dick (Richard) Carpenter was Karen's brother, whom she played with for many years.
She has a one of a kind voice.
This is the video that you should watch, it is her drum Solo on their Television special 1975. The picture quality isn't the best but you will forget about that once she starts her solo and you can tell by her smile and glow, that this was her passion. th-cam.com/video/sdHyzGXAJPg/w-d-xo.html
I first became familiar with Richard and Karen in 1965. Richard (keyboards wrote part of their music arranged it and was the trio's leader) was around 19 and Karen (drummer did NOT sing) 15 years old and Wes Jacobs played bass or tuba. They were known as The Dick Carpenter Jazz Trio. In 1966 they won the Hollywood Bowl with 2 songs "Iced Tea" which Richard wrote and "Girl from Ipanema". In 1967 Wes went to Juilliard and Bill Sissoyev took over on base which you just played. In 1967 they formed a sextet SPECTRUM with Richard on Keyboard Karen on drums and Bettis on guitar, who began writing lyrics to Richard's songs, guitarist Gary Sims, bassist Dan Woodhams, and vocalist Leslie "Toots" Johnston . Saw them at the Whisky A Go Go. Karen still not the singer. There are 5 Carpenter songs at th-cam.com/play/PLA3id59yQgEra6kOn1qSV-ZPQRR6kvw8q.html That were recorded before they became Carpenters (1965 to 1967). Iced Tea and Girl From Ipanema were recorded at the bowl Karen was the drummer on all of them. This was a jazz version of Dancing in The Street they were primarily a jazz trio and she was one hell of a jazz drummer and Richard was fantastic as was Wes and Bill.
Carpenters head many of their hits between 1969 and 1973
This video is from before they got a contract with A&M records, and their career took off.
She actually placed one spot better than John Bonham in an early 70's Rolling Stone poll of drummers. Not sure what Bonzo thought of that. And Buddy Rich spoke well of her and he knew stuff about drums.
May I give you a correction. It was the February 1975 Playboy Magazine readers poll on music, results. In the drumming category, Karen was 10th, Bonham 11th and Buddy was #1. Thanks to a 19 year old female singer & Carpenters collector. I was able to get a screen shot of that page.
@@jbs256 It's also worth noting that the Playboy constituency was much more oriented to jazz than rock, which gave her a boost. Bonham was royally pissed (at least when he learned of it while drunk - he may have had more perspective when he sobered). Reportedly, Karen responded by recreating the drum part of one of Led Zep's more challenging songs without even having to practice.
@@jbs256 Thank you, I stand corrected. Something felt weird when I typed Rolling Stone, now it makes sense.
@@thomasmacdiarmid8251 From what I remember, Bonham's angle was that her arms would turn to jelly a week into a Led Zep tour.
They were young and starting out then, their big time came in the early 70s and they reconstituted at that time. Fun fact: when your playboy instrumental pole had her on top of John Bonham for drumming!
Hi, this predated Carpenters by about a year. This was about 3 years of Karen on drums. That was Bill Sisoyev (sp?) on electric bass. Wes had already left. This was a college competition show and syndicated. They came in second in the total contest but won or tied some levels of the competition. She got BETTER. I’m going to leave a couple of links below. One to a 1973 appearance on The Tonight Show in a totally live performance with Karen on drums and singing lead. The song is Mr. Guder from the Close To You album. Karen drummed this for the album so in concerts this was one of her songs she took to the drums on.
This is a restored video from my friend Harvey. He’s been restoring Carpenters videos. Not bad for 50+ years old video.
th-cam.com/video/WN6y7RJoYv4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=JqyK0Pxad3Zyb8qc
Now for someone else. You most likely don’t know this 21 year old woman. She’s a Carpenters super-fan and Karen is her singing idol. She has a number of Carpenters covers that she’s made in the Short video style. Last year she was discovered on TH-cam by James Wilkas a musician, producer and retired music teacher. He had a Carpenters song that was uncompleted because the lady who was going to sing it unexpectedly passed away in 2019. The project sat until he asked Tori Holub if she’d like to help complete We’ve Only Just Begun. She agreed and here’s what they released on March 2nd last year, Karen’s birthday in heaven. Tori is 20 in the video, same age as Karen for this song. I hope you enjoy this, there’s more…
Joe
th-cam.com/video/J95lfJqo9VY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=jIJp9p-Egw55l4N2
.
Edit:
May I be so bold as to say. If by chance, you decide to view the Tori & Jim video, roll tape 😉, to capture your reaction. I’ve been here before and you’re gonna want that. Maybe do a quick TH-cam search of her name. Just warning that the thumbnails may be a spoiler.
Joe, you're everywhere, LOL.
@@Perfect_Blend it seems that way 😊. Check out Red’s reaction to Dan Wesley’s newest. 😎
She and Elvis are at the TOP of my Pop/Rock Pantheon.......
I bet even Neil Peart watched this. Karens brother was the guy on the organ.😊
Electric Piano.
❤
No you need to see her play on "close to you" or one of the others.
Karen Carpenter drum solo 1976!! She goes to different drum kits and types!! One year a list of best drummers came out and she ranked one better than Jon Bonham of Led Zeppelin. He was not happy!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎🎸🤟🏼
If you want to see a drummer sing, check out the video of The Eagles “Hotel California “.
Reaction to a Band called The Warning - 3 sisters out of Monterrey Mexico
Her voice was amazing
They were not a “ cool band” during the 70s.
They had more closet fans than any other band.
I just got it. Richard is often shortened to Dick (unfortunately). I was wondering where they got the name. Duh on me!
Part II 😁 2nd time visiting? Have you checked out
THIS MASQUERADE 💕
Written by Leon Russell and also an amazing cover was done by Jazz guitar artist George Benson. If you haven't done any George Benson on your channel yet,,,,, Shame 😞 on You!! Jokes! ☯️☮️
*Please* check Buddy Miles for another singing drummer!
no ,Bryan BENNETT of the shadows,is 1 of the best ,so watch live a track called little B,,which he wrote,he could do any style.
I do not think that Karen Carpenter could be ranked anywhere near the great drummers we all know. I would certainly say she was competent though. Now as a singer, she could be easily ranked as one of the best of all time.
it's hard to tell. The songs they did as The Carpenters did not call for spectacular drumming. When they were a trio playing jazz, she probably was more challenged. Other professional drummers have spoken well of her, but who's going to slam her after she died.
WHILE THIS WAS GOOD, NO ONE CAN TOUCH MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS, IT'S THEIR SONG AND NO ONE CAN COME CLOSE TO IT,...NO ONE!!!!!!!!!
I love Karen and the song, but I don’t like the arrangements of the other instruments
As great as Richard Carpenter was on keys, it annoys me he takes a solo by jumping into completly unrelated pop tune The Shadow of Your Smile and at hyper speed. Weird.