manofsteel1979
Member
With the recent announcement of the nomination of Neil Diamond and Donna Summer for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame,once again the question must be asked: Why not Rich and Karen?
In my opinion, it is long overdue. Most of the greatest modern female singers in ALL genres often list Karen as an influence. Their sales during their heyday were only surpassed by WINGS and Elton John. Richard's arrangements have been praised by the best of the best of the Rock & Pop community and are being studied in music schools all over the world. Most consider "Goodbye To Love" the first true "Power Ballad", a staple of Rock and Pop even to this day. The list of reasons goes on and on.
So,The question is: Why? Why ABBA a few years back, Neil and Donna now, but not The Carpenters?
My theory goes down to simple politics, both literally in figuratively.
For all the things we know now about Rich & Karen's lives and how complicated they truly were,there are some who still see them as "too good'. Aside from Rich's Quaalude problems or Karen's issues, The Carps never did illegal drugs, you never heard of wild sex orgies involving either of them, or hotel rooms being destroyed or diva like behavior on either of their part. They didn't hang out with the "cool" people at Studio 54, or hob nob with the glitterati. For the most part,they were just average,normal people from Downey, California, They didn't live the "lifestyle". That alone, in the minds of the elite of the Rock Community,still disqualifies them as deserving of official validation. If that's the case,pardon my language,that's bulls--t.
Also,It is well known that The Carpenter family over the years have had Republican ties. Richard has performed at CPAC functions in recent years. The Carps performed at The White House for Richard Nixon during Watergate. Even Tom Burris,Karen's Ex, worked for The Reagan Administration. It is common knowledge that the entertainment community is predominately Liberal Democrat. It would not surprise me that even that is playing a factor in the decision to overlook the Carpenters for inclusion.
Again, If that's the case,that is also bulls--t.
We lost Karen in 1983. Richard is 63 years old. God willing,with good health and a little luck, he will be around for another couple decades. However, I hope that the music industry wakes up before we lose them both. For Karen, I would love to see Richard witness and get what they both wanted and always sought, Official recognition of their peers for their contribution to Rock and Pop music. Heck, to be nominated would be a validating honor. They are owed that tenfold.
Thoughts?
In my opinion, it is long overdue. Most of the greatest modern female singers in ALL genres often list Karen as an influence. Their sales during their heyday were only surpassed by WINGS and Elton John. Richard's arrangements have been praised by the best of the best of the Rock & Pop community and are being studied in music schools all over the world. Most consider "Goodbye To Love" the first true "Power Ballad", a staple of Rock and Pop even to this day. The list of reasons goes on and on.
So,The question is: Why? Why ABBA a few years back, Neil and Donna now, but not The Carpenters?
My theory goes down to simple politics, both literally in figuratively.
For all the things we know now about Rich & Karen's lives and how complicated they truly were,there are some who still see them as "too good'. Aside from Rich's Quaalude problems or Karen's issues, The Carps never did illegal drugs, you never heard of wild sex orgies involving either of them, or hotel rooms being destroyed or diva like behavior on either of their part. They didn't hang out with the "cool" people at Studio 54, or hob nob with the glitterati. For the most part,they were just average,normal people from Downey, California, They didn't live the "lifestyle". That alone, in the minds of the elite of the Rock Community,still disqualifies them as deserving of official validation. If that's the case,pardon my language,that's bulls--t.
Also,It is well known that The Carpenter family over the years have had Republican ties. Richard has performed at CPAC functions in recent years. The Carps performed at The White House for Richard Nixon during Watergate. Even Tom Burris,Karen's Ex, worked for The Reagan Administration. It is common knowledge that the entertainment community is predominately Liberal Democrat. It would not surprise me that even that is playing a factor in the decision to overlook the Carpenters for inclusion.
Again, If that's the case,that is also bulls--t.
We lost Karen in 1983. Richard is 63 years old. God willing,with good health and a little luck, he will be around for another couple decades. However, I hope that the music industry wakes up before we lose them both. For Karen, I would love to see Richard witness and get what they both wanted and always sought, Official recognition of their peers for their contribution to Rock and Pop music. Heck, to be nominated would be a validating honor. They are owed that tenfold.
Thoughts?