Anyone read this?

Oh, I see how it is. Richard took the time to attend the 25th Anniversary of the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks in 2019 but he couldn't find the time to make an appearance at the Carpenters 50th Anniversary celebration! Just kidding, I understood the personal dynamics involved and he is still number one on my list of famous people I'd chose to have lunch with.

I'll be driving through Thousand Oaks on Friday. Planning to make a stop there. Always hoping for a chance encounter.
 
^ Always be on the lookout for a cool car in immaculate condition with plates that are connected to his initials or Carpenter fame. The "Yesterday Once More" warehouse would be the best place for a premeditated encounter. Too bad there isn't a coffee shop across the street so it wouldn't look too obvious!
 
2017 interview with Mac Davis:
"The next thing you know, I had an album out and I was traveling all around the country, doing one-nighters and college concerts, county fairs and state fairs. I was opening for the Carpenters and for the Fifth Dimension, just sitting on a stool with my guitar, singing my songs for thousands and thousands of people. And it took a couple years for my artist career to happen."
More:
https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/mac-davis-interview-2017.htm
 
^ Always be on the lookout for a cool car in immaculate condition with plates that are connected to his initials or Carpenter fame. The "Yesterday Once More" warehouse would be the best place for a premeditated encounter. Too bad there isn't a coffee shop across the street so it wouldn't look too obvious!

Actually, there IS a coffee shop very close by (in a nearby industrial park about a block away). Ate at it each morning of the 50th conference. But, alas, never ran into Richard or any of the family having breakfast there. But, Richard is NOT a morning person, from what I've been told.
 
I just came across an interesting YouTube anecdote from Engelbert Humperdink (sp?) about an amusing episode when he lost his voice when he was doing a joint concert, in Toronto I believe, with the Carpenters. (if the link doesn't work, it's entitled"Flashback Friday 15. The Carpenters and losing his voice, with Engelbert Humperdink."). Of interest here, though, is the very nice remarks he made about how close he became with the C's when they would appear in Lake Tahoe, and what a sweet person Karen was . . . she would come and take E's small children for a walk. EH also joins the many elite vocalists who have called Karen's voice "the greatest." Worth a look.
 
The 20 best music biopics - ranked. The Guardian

The 20 best music biopics - ranked!
Wow! That's a surprise, "Superstar" at #9. I know a few people on this site absolutely hate it, but I thought it interesting. I thought some of the perspectives in it were spot-on (like the pressure of fame and maintaining an attractive physical appearance (especially for female performers)). When are we going to get our big screen Karen biopic?! There were rumors swirling a year or so ago that it was in the works - not that you can actually go to a movie theatre here in California with all the Covid hysteria. For what it's worth, I thought "The Karen Carpenter Story" was very good for a made-for-tv movie. Maybe it should've made this list.
 
I'm surprised Richard was this frank with the news media about Karen's condition.
They are quoting him here in this UK magazine article. Kinda sad.

Record Mirror Nov 01, 1975
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Wow! That's a surprise, "Superstar" at #9. I know a few people on this site absolutely hate it, but I thought it interesting. I thought some of the perspectives in it were spot-on (like the pressure of fame and maintaining an attractive physical appearance (especially for female performers)). When are we going to get our big screen Karen biopic?! There were rumors swirling a year or so ago that it was in the works - not that you can actually go to a movie theatre here in California with all the Covid hysteria. For what it's worth, I thought "The Karen Carpenter Story" was very good for a made-for-tv movie. Maybe it should've made this list.
All I had to see was a few excerpts from this hatchet job -- like the creepy portrayal of Herb Alpert, one of the most decent men in the entertainment business -- to realize I should not watch it further denigrate Richard, the Carpenter parents, and Alpert. I recognize, though, that some Carpenters fans like it, because it is admittedly sympathetic toward Karen, and because it rather adds to Karen's growing legend (i.e., a much discussed movie about her, albeit of the cult variety), along with songs, books, etc. about her). Too bad a big-screen film with the right brown-eyed singing actress could not be properly made, but it would inevitably put too much emphasis on the anorexia element rather than the real story of the climb from Downey to global renown; and, of course, Richard would almost surely deny music rights.
 
He’s always been a night owl, I remember reading about it in the Coleman book in 1994. It’s a habit of a lifetime from what I can gather, they used to record at all hours of the evening and night at A&M.
You're right, Stephen and Geographer. Just the other day I happened to stumble upon a quote from the good man himself, in a Tuscon Citizen newspaper article from February 1971 (not sure if I can show it within this message, but I'll include a link, too) :

Clipping from Tucson Citizen - Newspapers.com


<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69672788/" style="text-decoration: none;display:block;" target="_parent"><img src="https://img.newspapers.com/img/img?clippingId=69672788&width=700&height=307&ts=1612791463" alt="" style="max-width:100%;"><span style="display:block;font: 13px helvetica, sans-serif; color: #747474;padding: 4px 0;max-width: 700px;"><strong></strong> Wed, Feb 24, 1971 &ndash; 28 &middot; <em>Tucson Citizen (Tucson, Arizona)</em> &middot; Newspapers.com</span></a>
 
Had Karen lived and overcome Annorexia as Richard did with his addiction, then it would just be a footnote in her life. I am sure her intention was just that. It is unfortunate that it placed a shadow over most everything, but it did change the future, so it’s a big part. They were so successful that nothing else would have stopped them. I’m sure A&M and other acts were funded by their success during those years, not just their own. That’s a lot of responsibility to shoulder at any person especially those who strive for perfection. It is unfortunate that we don’t hear more of those great accomplishments or the deep hearted friendships and value that purposed her dedication. We all have demons, by we all don’t survive them. Their success still follows them for their music and her voice were that good.
 
Do not know what forum to post on so please accept my apologies in advance.
I am a massive Carpenters fan from the UK. and my collection of Carpenters memorabilia consists of Vinyls,CDs,DVDs,Cassettes,Etc.
What I dont have is any Fan Club merchandise as I was never a member in those days.
So does anybody out there have anything that they would be prepared to sell. Peter, Cheshire, U.K.
 
eBay is a great place to search as well. There’s often merchandise for sale on there. Sometimes big collections. Best of luck.
 


This was just added to Youtube.


Love it! One thing that strikes me seeing this footage is that the early 70s TV shows never had Karen looking out of place behind the drums, because of carefully staged camera angles, close ups, overhead shots of her drumming etc. But imagine sitting way back in the audience watching a whole 90-minute concert like this? There’s no focus for the audience’s eye, as was said at the time by many a critic. And if you couldn’t take your eyes off her, you couldn’t really see much of her either.
 


This was just added to Youtube.


Although Karen looks 100% comfortable singing behind the drum kit, it doesn't play out well as a concert performance as we've come to know.
It doesn't have a a "front man" which I guess we've been programmed to believe is correct. Would we feel that way if all bands had their lead singer playing an instrument, such as drums or keyboards and never being out front?
 
Although Karen looks 100% comfortable singing behind the drum kit, it doesn't play out well as a concert performance as we've come to know.
It doesn't have a a "front man" which I guess we've been programmed to believe is correct. Would we feel that way if all bands had their lead singer playing an instrument, such as drums or keyboards and never being out front?
So far, I think the longest video performance of them from 1970 on YouTube is the Walter Reed Hospital set that was broadcast on Ed Sullivan. That would probably be a good representation of their "Opening Act" performances that year. It's a shame that their Tonight Show appearances from 1970 have apparently not survived.
 
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