Did Karen Carpenter really play drums?
Initially, Carpenter was the band’s full-time drummer, but gradually took the role of frontwoman as drumming was reduced to a handful of live showcases or tracks on albums….
| Karen Carpenter | |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Drums vocals |
| Years active | 1968–1983 |
| Labels | A&M |
| Associated acts | The Carpenters Richard Carpenter |
How did Karen Carpenter rate as a drummer?
Karen Carpenter was a SOLID drummer, much like Ringo Starr. She did the job WELL without doing anything fancy. Before Gene Krupa (who invented the drum set), a drummer’s only job was to just keep the beat like a human metronome. Krupa made the drums an actual instrument, capable of improvising, solos, and expression.
Why did Karen Carpenter stop playing drums?
Its weird because they even incorporated into their shows saying and more and more drums kept coming in the house and them Karen had this opportunity on stage to show just how good she was as a drummer. Then it all disappeared and she stopped drumming.
Who played drums for The Carpenters?
Karen
If you also have a soft spot for the Carpenters, you should know that the drummer on just about all of their hits was the Wrecking Crew’s Hal Blaine. What makes Hal’s playing behind Richard and Karen Carpenter so special is his subtlety and the percussive textures he added in just the right places.
Did Richard Carpenter ever sing?
Richard Carpenter was one of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time, scoring many hits with his sister Karen Carpenter as part of the brother-sister duo Carpenters.
What happened to Richard Carpenter after Karen died?
Richard Carpenter, 49, still lives in Downey, Calif., near his mother. In 1984, the year after Karen died, he married his cousin Mary Rudolph and is now the father of four. In 1987 he made his own solo album, “Time,” a critical and commercial failure.
Why was Karen Carpenters voice so unique?
Karen normally sang as a contralto, but she had the rare ability to transition from that more typical female register to a much lower range—something she called her “basement.” Thanks to Richard’s songwriting and song selection, her basement voice was used masterfully on music that tended toward the melancholy, the “ …
Did Karen Carpenter write songs?
As a songwriter, Carpenter co-wrote (with John Bettis) four of the duo’s Top 10 pop hits, including their number one hit “Top of the World,” “Goodbye to Love,” “Yesterday Once More” and “Only Yesterday.” In addition, he co-wrote their classic holiday song, “Merry Christmas, Darling,” and he co-wrote many other songs …
Is Richard Carpenter still working?
He had numerous roles in the Carpenters including record producer, arranger, pianist, keyboardist, lyricist, and composer, as well as joining with Karen on harmony vocals….Richard Carpenter (musician)
| Richard Carpenter | |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Vocals keyboards |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Labels | A&M/PolyGram |