Late2theParty
Member
Hi folks! I think I may have a different story than many others here. I'm an American male on his second (VERY happy) marriage who grew up loving classical music, then discovered the Beatles. As a teenager, I was mostly interested in British progressive rock. I liked Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Eagles, etc. But I was happiest going to a Yes, Tull, Genesis, or Supertramp concert. Of course, I was aware of the Carpenters, but I thought of that as "pop" music that my parents would approve of, so never I really gave them much thought.
I was still in this mode when I heard of Karen's passing and saw that shocking cover on People magazine. "How could that happen?" I thought to myself: What a shame, and moved on. So how did I get here? A bit of personal history...
I was a HISTORY enthusiast. It was my major in college, and after 20 years in the investing field, I got my post-graduate degree in Teaching Secondary Social Sciences (in USA that means teaching high school history). This came about after teaching some adult classes on different subjects (oneof which was a very popular class on the Beatles.) I'm good at what I do (so I have been told) and I transferred that into 20 years in the classroom (and still teach a bit on the side because I love it.)
So, where do the Carpenters come in? Pure chance. Three years ago, it's Christmas time, and I'm listening to Christmas songs on satellite radio. On comes, "No place like home for the holidays." I was waiting to pick up one of my children and with the clarity of satellite radio and a premium sound system in my car, it all comes together. The arrangement is so good. I think to myself, "man, that woman had an EXPRESSIVE voice, even on such a oft-recorded song, this version stands out." And I started adding their offerings to my Christmas playlist.
Now, as a history guy, once I am interested in something, I have to know EVERYTHING. All the books, internet searches for articles, videos on YouTube etc. It was so wonderful and SO SAD. I would hear another song...shake my head...and say, "oh Karen." I have a different take on her health, which might not fit with others take, but it is what it is. That's for later.
I get Apple music as I want EVERYTHING...and, to cut to the chase, I was preparing to do a class on the Carpenters for my school where I do my adult courses. They accepted it, but I had to pass this year for personal reasons as I had a son going through a nasty divorce and hope to try again next year. I may not be a MUSICAL expert, but their timing in US and WORLD History is important as well.
SO...where am I now. Collecting photos, videos (what a DRUMMER!) interviews, reminiscences and testimony of colleagues and band members. It's an AMAZING story. And, I hope our foreign fans won't find this offensive, it's a very AMERICAN story. So many things of the music world I knew of before my recent discovery fit in. I used to imagine having a time machine and stopping John Wilkes Booth, or talking to George Washington...now I imagine making smoothies for Karen so she would keep some sort of normal nutritional health. I know, silly, but your thoughts head down that road...even though I don't think people thought she was truly risking death...
So, where do I fit in? Not sure. So many people here know so much more, but perhaps there is a need for someone who "read something once" and can remember where something might have been written. More than anything, I work to keep my chin up. I'm sure it's harder for you fans who have mourned her passing in your own way since 2/4/83, but I was at an age where I could have gone to see them live. What I REALLY would have like to have done is go to some concerts with her. See the great drummers like Bill Bruford, Phil Collins, Billy Cobham. Do we know if she did much of that? I would imagine not since coming home was to recharge...not go out and see what else is going on in music. I also love so much music of the 70s that I often wonder whether there were choices that Richard rejected in the 70s, that had she lived, he might have taken a second look in later years. I have in mind a picture, perhaps from Rolling Stone, of them sitting in a room surrounded by record albums. This is the kind of thing my brother and I did for YEARS, long after we grew up and got married.
Anyway, just thought I'd put this out. I guess I want to end with this idea that someone like Chris May might actually know if this has come up. I know Richard was not happy about the KC story/Cynthia Gibbs TV movie. I think there is a good chance that a really good telling of their story (heavy on the suburbian kids succeed, lighter on the anorexia) with a LOT of their music in the soundtrack. Not that he needs the money, but music today is such crap. I really feel sorry for this generation. (my wife and I often hear "our music" in public areas and it make us sad because they don't know how bad their stuff is in comparison.) Chances are they will do one after he is gone. Why not do it now while you can have some say?
Anyway, happy to be here among those who appreciate their talent, expertise, and more than anything, joy. Final comment: I love the Budokan concert because Karen looks so happy playing the drums...especially the flying hair on "Johnny Be Goode". Oh Karen...what should have been...
Cheers, L2TP
I was still in this mode when I heard of Karen's passing and saw that shocking cover on People magazine. "How could that happen?" I thought to myself: What a shame, and moved on. So how did I get here? A bit of personal history...
I was a HISTORY enthusiast. It was my major in college, and after 20 years in the investing field, I got my post-graduate degree in Teaching Secondary Social Sciences (in USA that means teaching high school history). This came about after teaching some adult classes on different subjects (oneof which was a very popular class on the Beatles.) I'm good at what I do (so I have been told) and I transferred that into 20 years in the classroom (and still teach a bit on the side because I love it.)
So, where do the Carpenters come in? Pure chance. Three years ago, it's Christmas time, and I'm listening to Christmas songs on satellite radio. On comes, "No place like home for the holidays." I was waiting to pick up one of my children and with the clarity of satellite radio and a premium sound system in my car, it all comes together. The arrangement is so good. I think to myself, "man, that woman had an EXPRESSIVE voice, even on such a oft-recorded song, this version stands out." And I started adding their offerings to my Christmas playlist.
Now, as a history guy, once I am interested in something, I have to know EVERYTHING. All the books, internet searches for articles, videos on YouTube etc. It was so wonderful and SO SAD. I would hear another song...shake my head...and say, "oh Karen." I have a different take on her health, which might not fit with others take, but it is what it is. That's for later.
I get Apple music as I want EVERYTHING...and, to cut to the chase, I was preparing to do a class on the Carpenters for my school where I do my adult courses. They accepted it, but I had to pass this year for personal reasons as I had a son going through a nasty divorce and hope to try again next year. I may not be a MUSICAL expert, but their timing in US and WORLD History is important as well.
SO...where am I now. Collecting photos, videos (what a DRUMMER!) interviews, reminiscences and testimony of colleagues and band members. It's an AMAZING story. And, I hope our foreign fans won't find this offensive, it's a very AMERICAN story. So many things of the music world I knew of before my recent discovery fit in. I used to imagine having a time machine and stopping John Wilkes Booth, or talking to George Washington...now I imagine making smoothies for Karen so she would keep some sort of normal nutritional health. I know, silly, but your thoughts head down that road...even though I don't think people thought she was truly risking death...
So, where do I fit in? Not sure. So many people here know so much more, but perhaps there is a need for someone who "read something once" and can remember where something might have been written. More than anything, I work to keep my chin up. I'm sure it's harder for you fans who have mourned her passing in your own way since 2/4/83, but I was at an age where I could have gone to see them live. What I REALLY would have like to have done is go to some concerts with her. See the great drummers like Bill Bruford, Phil Collins, Billy Cobham. Do we know if she did much of that? I would imagine not since coming home was to recharge...not go out and see what else is going on in music. I also love so much music of the 70s that I often wonder whether there were choices that Richard rejected in the 70s, that had she lived, he might have taken a second look in later years. I have in mind a picture, perhaps from Rolling Stone, of them sitting in a room surrounded by record albums. This is the kind of thing my brother and I did for YEARS, long after we grew up and got married.
Anyway, just thought I'd put this out. I guess I want to end with this idea that someone like Chris May might actually know if this has come up. I know Richard was not happy about the KC story/Cynthia Gibbs TV movie. I think there is a good chance that a really good telling of their story (heavy on the suburbian kids succeed, lighter on the anorexia) with a LOT of their music in the soundtrack. Not that he needs the money, but music today is such crap. I really feel sorry for this generation. (my wife and I often hear "our music" in public areas and it make us sad because they don't know how bad their stuff is in comparison.) Chances are they will do one after he is gone. Why not do it now while you can have some say?
Anyway, happy to be here among those who appreciate their talent, expertise, and more than anything, joy. Final comment: I love the Budokan concert because Karen looks so happy playing the drums...especially the flying hair on "Johnny Be Goode". Oh Karen...what should have been...
Cheers, L2TP
