Neil Sedaka talks about writing "Solitaire" in new exclusive interview
- Thread starter Chris May
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Portlander
Well-Known Member
Tough call Murray on the popularity and the name recognition between the two artists. I don't think there was anyone in the country, whether you loved their music or hated it that did not know who the Carpenters were in the mid seventies. Also interesting to see that their chart success was almost equal through 1975. Carpenters had 15 Top 40 hits, 3 #1's and 12 Top Tens while Sedaka had 18 Top 40 hits, 3 #1's and 9 Top Tens. Neil also had song writing credits which are not always known by the listening public.
It's easy to understand why Neil thought he deserved equal billing with the Karen and Richard during the tour. However, as a seasoned veteran of the music business I'm sure he knew that it was the Carpenters who were paying his compensation as the opening act and he should have been more appreciative of the opportunity. Which brings us back to the lack of attention to detail by management (was not even in Las Vegas at the time) which eventually led to Sherwin being fired by both artists!
It's easy to understand why Neil thought he deserved equal billing with the Karen and Richard during the tour. However, as a seasoned veteran of the music business I'm sure he knew that it was the Carpenters who were paying his compensation as the opening act and he should have been more appreciative of the opportunity. Which brings us back to the lack of attention to detail by management (was not even in Las Vegas at the time) which eventually led to Sherwin being fired by both artists!
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Murray
Well-Known Member
No doubt! Anyone with a radio couldn't escape the Carpenters (not that we'd have wanted to!). I was merely speculating that Neil Sedaka might have been a bigger draw, among the typical middle-aged (and older) gamblers that frequented Las Vegas. The Carpenters, being the much "newer" act, had a lot of younger fans. I was a teenager in 1975 (as I know many of us were), and the Las Vegas of the 1970s wasn't known for being a "family friendly" place. With concerts held in casinos, and complimentary alcoholic beverages served to patrons during the show, were people under 21 allowed to attend? Even if they were, my parents never would have allowed me to go anywhere near such a "den of iniquity".
Mark-T
Well-Known Member
I has just turned 18 when I saw them the first time at the Rivera.No doubt! Anyone with a radio couldn't escape the Carpenters (not that we'd have wanted to!). I was merely speculating that Neil Sedaka might have been a bigger draw, among the typical middle-aged (and older) gamblers that frequented Las Vegas. The Carpenters, being the much "newer" act, had a lot of younger fans. I was a teenager in 1975 (as I know many of us were), and the Las Vegas of the 1970s wasn't known for being a "family friendly" place. With concerts held in casinos, and complimentary alcoholic beverages served to patrons during the show, were people under 21 allowed to attend? Even if they were, my parents never would have allowed me to go anywhere near such a "den of iniquity".
Rick-An Ordinary Fool
Well-Known Member
Carpenters Newsletters
NEWSLETTER #45 - October, 1975 (Written by EV)
Hi fan! The following is a statement from Richard concerning the Neil Sedaka/Las Vegas affair: "When the Carpenters play concerts, they invite someone to be their opening act. In the case of our last summer tour and Las Vegas engagements, we asked Neil Sedaka to open the show. It often happens in our business, not only with the Carpenters, but also with other headliners, that the choice or the opening act proves to be unsuitable for personal, or other reasons. Under those circumstances, the headliner has no option but to terminate the engagement of the opener. This was the situation with Neil. Please be assured that we DID NOT fire Neil Sedaka for doing too well. In fact we were delighted that he was receiving a nice response from the audience. It was a result of other circumstances of which he is totally aware that made it necessary for us to terminate his engagement. Since he has full knowledge of all the background facts, it is disappointing to us that he had found it necessary to make statements concerning same to the Press. Personally the Las Vegas/Sedaka issue is an old matter, and right now I am much more concerned with Karen's health, and writing new songs"
NEWSLETTER #45 - October, 1975 (Written by EV)
Hi fan! The following is a statement from Richard concerning the Neil Sedaka/Las Vegas affair: "When the Carpenters play concerts, they invite someone to be their opening act. In the case of our last summer tour and Las Vegas engagements, we asked Neil Sedaka to open the show. It often happens in our business, not only with the Carpenters, but also with other headliners, that the choice or the opening act proves to be unsuitable for personal, or other reasons. Under those circumstances, the headliner has no option but to terminate the engagement of the opener. This was the situation with Neil. Please be assured that we DID NOT fire Neil Sedaka for doing too well. In fact we were delighted that he was receiving a nice response from the audience. It was a result of other circumstances of which he is totally aware that made it necessary for us to terminate his engagement. Since he has full knowledge of all the background facts, it is disappointing to us that he had found it necessary to make statements concerning same to the Press. Personally the Las Vegas/Sedaka issue is an old matter, and right now I am much more concerned with Karen's health, and writing new songs"
Rick-An Ordinary Fool
Well-Known Member
Billboard Sept 03, 2005
GaryAlan
Well-Known Member
Billboard Magazine, December 27, 1975:
"As a result of "Laughter In The Rain" and the subsequent renewed interest in Sedaka, the Carpenters asked him to join their domestic concert tour
plus go to Japan. Both acts got great reaction on the road, Sedaka says. They had been together four weeks when they hit Vegas the first eventful time.
Sedaka had 35 minutes as the opening act, he says. Then he returned at the end of the Carpenter's set to work several tunes with them.
They worked together one fleeting week before Sedaka's supporting role status was quashed. On the road, Sedaka began to overshadow the Carpenters.
He says he felt very awkward about reaping the glowing reviews, often seeming to be stronger than the Carpenters, the stars of the show."
Source:
"As a result of "Laughter In The Rain" and the subsequent renewed interest in Sedaka, the Carpenters asked him to join their domestic concert tour
plus go to Japan. Both acts got great reaction on the road, Sedaka says. They had been together four weeks when they hit Vegas the first eventful time.
Sedaka had 35 minutes as the opening act, he says. Then he returned at the end of the Carpenter's set to work several tunes with them.
They worked together one fleeting week before Sedaka's supporting role status was quashed. On the road, Sedaka began to overshadow the Carpenters.
He says he felt very awkward about reaping the glowing reviews, often seeming to be stronger than the Carpenters, the stars of the show."
Source:
Mark-T
Well-Known Member
How about a photo of the three of them onstage?
insightsandsounds.blogspot.com
Karen, Richard, and Neil: Breaking Up is Hard to Do
A blog about all things Disney - especially the parks - and beyond.
insightsandsounds.blogspot.com
Proudofyou
Well-Known Member
It's very pissy and nasty of Neil. I'm sorry. Please remove this comment if you feel necessary. I know we are supposed to stick to the music etc.
Vinylalbumcovers
Ah am so steel een luv weeth yoo
Carpenters said:
Could this possibly be any more ambiguous? A bunch of words that say absolutely nothing. Of course, no one has to reveal anything but might have been better to say nothing at all. Whoever wrote that entirely dodged the issue. We'll never know what the truth is and it honestly doesn't even matter. This was 46 years ago.
Ed
I think Portlander may be on to something when he cites the Sedaka incident as having a negative impact on the Carpenters airplay starting in the fall of 1975.
I don't recall how much time elapsed between the termination and the announcement that the Carpenters would not be touring due to Karen's health problems. At the time, it seemed like these 2 events happened very quickly, one after the other.
In hindsight, perhaps management should have suggested that the Las Vegas engagement end early for the sake of Karen's health. That would have ended the unhappy pairing of Sedaka with the Carpenters; it would have avoided the resulting PR problems; and more importantly it would have gotten Karen off the concert grind a little earlier.
I don't recall how much time elapsed between the termination and the announcement that the Carpenters would not be touring due to Karen's health problems. At the time, it seemed like these 2 events happened very quickly, one after the other.
In hindsight, perhaps management should have suggested that the Las Vegas engagement end early for the sake of Karen's health. That would have ended the unhappy pairing of Sedaka with the Carpenters; it would have avoided the resulting PR problems; and more importantly it would have gotten Karen off the concert grind a little earlier.
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
His and Richard's egos are huge, so there's no chance of them patching things up.
byline
Well-Known Member
Chris, I would love to get your more detailed take on this situation, whenever you are able to provide it. It bothered me at the time, because I feared that this incident would take its toll on the Carpenters' already over-scrutinized image. It seemed to turn into a real "schadenfreude" turning point for them.
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
Did Carpenters record 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do' the following year as a sideways apology perhaps?
Guitarmutt
Well-Known Member
I’m glad musicians have figured out a way around this silly problem by simply using the term co-headliners. Elvis Costello is touring later this year with Daryl Hall, and that’s how they are describing it. Simple. Case closed.
