Karen Carpenter - The Drummer
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- Опубліковано 9 січ 2007
- This is a video showcasing Karen Carpenter's undeniable talents as a drummer. For those who aren't aware of Karen's involvement with the drums, let it be known that they were her first passion and came before she began her career as a singer. Karen's drumming can be heard on many tracks on several Carpenters albums.
What's also most notable about Karen is that she sang and drummed simultaneously... her singing never hindered her drumming, and vice versa... she never ever hit a sour note or missed a beat. An extremely small amount of people can profess to having such a talent.
"She was a 5'4 tornado, pair of drumsticks in her hand".
Visit www.GoCarpenters.com to help induct the Carpenters into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!
Richard: "People always ask me why Karen plays the drums."
Karen: "I can answer that. Two words...... WHY NOT?!!!
I should add: Karen could have easily joined a serious 70's prog rock band or jazz-fusion outfit as drummer if she had wanted to. Absolutely talented.
Badfinger drummer on song - Baby Blue
I read she was discovered as a vocalist when she was trying out for the Wrecking Crew to be a studio drummer.
@@seed_drill7135 Joe Osborn of the wrecking crew fostered the two in the begining so that makes sense.
Instead of ELP it could have been ELC
The point is not "who's the best, who's better than anyone" come on guys....
One of the most tragic deaths of pop/rock music ever. She was so talented, so beautiful...
My step-sister dragged me along to a Carpenter's show in Tempe about 1969. I was more into Hendrix, but my jaw dropped when I saw Karen's drum kit: six ride toms and four cymbals not counting the hi-hat. Double floor toms. Single kick drum. Jet black finish.
She made it look easy. She smiled continuously and never popped a sweat, even though she was wearing a long skirt. She was "in the pocket" the whole night. Never dropped a beat or missed a vocal cue. Wow, I thought. I could do that!
Not!
Masters do have a way of making things look easy.
Don’t sell yourself short she had to learn just like everybody else I play drums and I can sing and play so you can to
@@gregwalters8529And someone said she didn't learn? This is obvious, but for those who have talent, it's easier and faster!
I envy you. I never got to see them, although I suppose I had any number of opportunities... 😥
The only time Karen's smile actually reached her eyes was when she was on the drums. She is is in pure Bliss. They should have allowed her to remain where she was happiest, behind those drums. Amazing!
That was her biggest issue. She was the last person anyone considered, which included her mother.
If she would have been allowed to play her drums she may be alive today. I think she became very self conscious when they put her up front. She was comfortable behind her drums. Gone way way too soon. Thank you for your music Karen!!
All about the almighty dollar.. not her happiness that’s for sure.
If you’ve ever seen a Carpenters concert, and all he clips above, she always had a drum kit and percussion instruments on stage,and was behind them half the time. She was never “banned” from playing. Her drumming was highlighted in fact.
@@EmanresuadeenFirst, half the time, for someone who considered herself a drummer first, was not enough.
Second, that's only because people have come to appraciate it in later times, towards the end of her life she would only be upfront singing only, you can see it because her anorexia was visible in those times.
I've seen a lot of clips of Karen. Although she has such a great voice, it seems to me that she was happiest when she was in the drummer's seat at the same time. It isn't easy to sing lead vocals and drum at the same time, but she makes it look so easy.
+vince maloney She said that that's what she enjoyed most--drumming while singing.
I always see her joy on drums and it makes me feel a little better
Yeh got to have serious coordination to do that.
She seemed happy when she was acting, too.
she wants us to remember her like this - cheerful and happy .... that's how it will be, Karen 💗
Drumming like that AND singing like that...how is it even possible that one person could be THAT talented?
A spark of genius + thousands of hours of practice.
Karen was, and still is the best!
Greg Sullivan No other Person like Karen has and had this Talent.. She is untouchable....
ask levon.
Ever notice that people with talent like that have short lifespan? If it's not drugs its something else.
In my opinion she was one of the most talented people in the history of music.
I will give you that. Agree. Richard to, heck of a musician.
I wish I could be half the drummer and singer she was!
@@johnnytorino9455 Richard was truly a brilliant composer and arranger. Karen, though - how many of her rank in that century alone as vocalist, never mind on the drums and singing.
As someone who suffers from perfect pitch, Karen was a joy and delight for teenage me.
Yep agree!!
The first Clip predates the Amen Break! Wow!
I can play drums and have to over 40 years. But a girl who can sing like this and drum like this, well, she's great!
When she is playing the drums and singing at the same time she radiates happiness. She wanted to continue as a member of the band; not be a diva. I think singing came naturally to her, but she enjoyed the challenge of playing the drums. She was superb as both a drummer and a singer. What a gift. I marvel when I see her both drumming and singing at the same time. Once I watched a whole Carpenter’s concert while she was on drums and singing, she was flawless. No one could sing like her. She was an original through and through. To this day I haven’t seen her vocal gift and talent equaled. No one brings this out, but on the Carpenter’s recordings she sings all the harmonies with her brother Richard. At twenty years old she was doing this! She really was a treasure for the ages. Thankfully, she left so much music to be enjoyed. I never knew her, but I miss her as if I did.
When I hear her play the drums and sing...I radiate happiness.
She's the reason I became a drummer :) My inspiration
This woman shreds the drums. She's better than many drummers in rock bands today. She also plays like Buddy Rich is her dad. I never knew her drumming was just as good as her vocals.
tcfunvids Immaculate timing!
I wouldn't call bands today rock and roll
Yes indeed! Fast hands like the GREATEST EVER...Buddy Rich! She was wonderful all around! Very sad life indeed....her music and drum playing will live on as it has! She should have never quit playing the drums!!
tcfunvids Her first teacher was a guy in her high school drum line who was obsessed with BR. She was also taught by one of his band members, among others. She actually got props from Buddy himself. I wonder if they played together? Maybe they're hanging out now 🌈
Buddy stated that she was one of his favorite drummers. Not favorite female drummers, but favorite drummers. Pissed off Bonham when she won 1975 Playboy poll, when he said she couldn't hold out for a 10-min. Zep set. She was 5'4" and skinny. Well, Bonzo couldn't hang for 5 minutes with a lot of the more technical drumming KC was able to effortlessly do. While she was singing, to boot.
And she played both matched and traditional grips. Damn.
Karen Carpenter was one of the most underrated drummers of all time. She was unreal. Singing on top of it!!! WOW.
She was a natural musical genius, with a highly developed sense of rhythm, harmony, melody, phrasing, and pitch. So much to say, so little time. Thank you, Karen.
I want to scream at the executives who pushed her to stop drumming and just sing. Who cares if they wouldn't have been as popular? Maybe she would've been less obsessed with her weight? I feel like drumming was a huge boost for her. I don't think it would've had a huge effect on their popularity in my opinion. Maybe it would've inspired more female drummers if she had been allowed to keep going. Is she not one of the best drummers of all-time ever? After all she could sing perfectly and drum simultaneously, I don't think there are many musicians that talented at drums. She's already in the top 5 best singers of all-time, hands-down. No one else sounds like her or will ever replicate her charismatic voice.
She was always self conscious of her weight, when then took her of the drums it drove her to anorexia
You hit the nail on the head,well said.
yes. The bastards.
She definitely would’ve felt less body image stuff with the kit to hide behind. Speaking as someone who’s moved from the drums onto bass, the drums do kind of put you in your own world away from the crowd, being out front is scarier.
One of the greatest female singers of all time!
I can count drummers who can simultaneously sing and play drums - and do BOTH at a high level of expertise - on ONE hand. But a WOMAN who can play drums like that is not only VERY rare, but that she could have THAT voice while her drumming is also at such a high level. WOW! She was truly one of a kind!
just from watching this video, you can tell she was a really cool person
She always looks so happy when she's playing the drums
She made drumming look easy, just like she made singing sound easy!!!
Her absolute joy in drumming is wonderful to see! She was my idol in the early 70s when I was the only girl in the drum section of my junior high school band for 3 years, listening to the taunts of "girls can't play drums" day in and day out. Karen proved that saying to be completely WRONG. What an immensely talented musician and singer she was...a lovely lady who left far too soon.
I agree with you and hope we can carry on, Breathe deep or not.
I remember seeing this when I was 16. As a fellow drummer, I can tell you that she was amazing. She played very much in the traditional "Buddy Rich" style of Jazz chops.
Much respect for her talent. It's difficult to sing and play drums at the same time, but to do both at her level is incredible.
When it comes to drumming while singing, no one can beat her!!!
To me losing Karen carpenter was as great as losing Elvis or John Lennon. She was phenomenal. We will be fortunate to ever see anyone half as talented as that in this age
Losing great????????????
The Carpenters were the 70's! They left their mark on music forever. So sad that Karen died so young. She had so much to give. She was my favorite female vocalist.
Wow, watching Karen sing and play dancing to n the streets was pretty impressive. She was singing and playing a fairly complicated drum line. She was very underrated and talented. I am a metal head who appreciates talent in all forms. Karen carpenter was talented. May she rest in peace
Should see the end of that song and she breaks out into a solo that shakes the earth
She’s bad Ass in that set
@@spyrilleedinlarge5319 yeah, I can't believe they didn't put that part in the video
The best female voice of all time.
She is a completely under appreciated drummer. Her skills were and still are EXCELLENT.
Karen Carpenter, Singer,Songwriter and Drummer, Incredibly Beautiful and Talented Woman and Actress
I am 31 years old and it's been three months since I started to learn the drums. I've always been amazed by Karen's voice but I only saw pictures of her and a few videos of her singing. I never knew she played the drums, and I'm impressed that she could do both, simultaneously and beautifully. Such a skilled and professional musician, truly an inspiration. 😍
So sad you can see she was truely happy playing the drums, and boy could she play the drums!
She always considered herself a drummer who happened to sing.
Yeah record company said best if she stands out front and sings apparently not good for image to sing and play drums
@Decaying Grandeur what a jack ass thing to say!
Yes she really loved playing drums. Singing as well for sure. To sing like she did one must love singing.
I very nearly cried when I saw the sheer joy that playing the drums brought to Karen. Her smile alone captivates. She was one of the best female vocalists of her era, not to mention of all time. She was certainly the best female drummer ever. I'm glad found what gave her joy in her short, somewhat sad life.
easily THE greatest female vocalist ever to grace a microphone no-one else even comes close .....still greatly missed karen !!!
Karen Carpenter (with a voice of gold) appears so happy, full of life and explosive while drumming - that's what drumming is all about! Thanks to these videos Karen has now become a great inspiration to my daughter who drums and sings as well. Thank you CrescentNoon:-)
no artist [local or foreign] has ever had both the hands [on the drums] and an angelic voice like KAREN.. She really is ONE IN A MILLION!
@tubiebrother Apparently, w/her brother making most of the decisions (song selection, etc), & record contract/touring pressures, she felt that she had very little control over her life. Some believe that this caused her to focus on her eating/dieting habits as one thing she COULD control -no matter what anyone else told her to do- & she may have rebelled at their attempts to control her in that area. Drums were her first passion, & she probably resented giving them up. She CLEARLY loved to play!
Wow! Super talented. Like many others I never realized Karen was such a talented drummer. Amazing how she could drum away and still produce such tremendous vocals. Not many past or present that can top what she did.
All I know is that Buddy Rich complimented her drumming. I'll take Buddy's word for it.
Damn. I knew she was at least a "clubber" but did not know she actually was near virtuoso in talent level.
The Carpenters weren't cool with guys in their heyday so I had to secretly enjoy their music - and I did.
Thanks for showing off another side of her.
Sargethemedic1 you weren't the only closet Carpenters fan. Heck I grew up in the early70s and listened to Led Zep....Deep Purple....but I'd be lying if I said I didn't listen to an enjoy them.
hey, count me in.... I'm a U2, Rage Against the Machine, The Cure Fan... I play alternative and hard rock experimental Music. But I'm also a closet Carpenter's Fan. And yeah, she can really play drums better than our drummer!
It's okay guys! Come on out and show your love for the Carpenters 😄
There's an alternative tribute to them called If I Were A Carpenter. The biggest hit on there is Sonic Youth's version of Superstar. I actually like Luther Vandross' better.
If she had continued as a drummer/singer, rather than a singer, I think she might have been a lot happier, and her eating disorder demons may not have overtaken her. Drumming is a workout, you need energy for it, and would have been enough of a workout every night to keep her fit, healthy and eating right. She was top notch at drumming, and hats off to ANYONE who can sing and play an instrument at the same time, especially drums.
el Guapo Good one, el Dummo! You're the internet's a-hole of the day!
@@HeathWatts el Guapo is a moron who expressed it badly, but as someone with bulimia, his/her bluntness is more resonant to me than what S Toy said.
I love Karen; she's been my idol for decades. But it's facile to think that Karen would have been perfectly healthy if she'd carried on as a drummer. No one knows what was going on in her mind. Eating disorders are a serious psychological issue... they're not just about "keeping fit", as S Toy put it.
Nothing against S Toy... he/she was just paying tribute to Karen and trying to rationalise her condition. Unfortunately, to say Karen would have survived if she'd been able to carry on as a drummer is at best unsubstantiated, and at worst a vast oversimplification of a terrible disease.
@@slashdisco I agree. The idea that drumming could save one from a medical condition, psychological problem, or addition is, unfortunately, not true.
Thanks @@HeathWatts :-) Didn't want to come across as negative as I know S Toy was just trying to be understanding... unfortunately, none of us will ever really know what Karen was thinking (even Richard). Eating disorders are debilitating and sometimes deadly... I know from experience.
Agreed, she was never conscious about how she looked like behind the kit.
when i was a kid and heard 'we've only just begun' i used to love that big drum bit before the bridge, so it was her!? cool!!
Hal Blane on the recording.
Greatest female rock drummer!!!
" We`ll find a place where there`s room to grow" beautiful Karen
I've been playing drums since I was a kid, and I am still trying to get to a point where I am as good as she was on the drums. She is such an inspiration. R.I.P. Karen.
I saw them twice. Once early on when she was the sole drummer and then again later on when it was Cubby O'Brian on the skins and Karen was out front with the mic. I wish she had done more drumming like this live...
Yes, that was how they did it at the concert I saw. Interesting that it was Cubby O'Brien. On the Mickey Mouse Show, when he was a 7 year old Mouseketeer, he'd been paired with Karen Pendleton, and they were this little team called Karen and Cubby. He could play those drums pretty well back they; they often featured him and his father, both on drums. I know, your comment was 5 years ago, but here I am.
Oh THAT Cubby. I didn't know that!
I miss her so much. Perhaps the greatest voice of her generation. God what a talent.
Something most non-drummers don't know about... Playing Beatles songs on the drums is not easy. Ringo Starr is a criminally under-rated genius of rock drumming, and to replicate it is not easy. Karen did it perfectly.
el Guapo - you have no effing idea what you are talking about . Without The Beatles , you wouldn’t even be on here talking nonsense - musically and culturally , The Beatles have had more influence on the music in this world than you will ever have . Their songs will still be played 100 years from now when people won’t even know you’ve been born, lived and died in obscurity .
You’re a nonentity , who knows.zero about music and the cultural impact it has had on every aspect of life - I ask you the question “ can you write songs good enough that they’re still being played 60 years later and how much have you earned from your own compositions “ ? I’m betting your answers are no and zero.
Ringo Starr is criminally overrated. you must not drum if you think it isn't easy to play like Ringo.
Ringo is average at best lmao
terrific drummer and even better singer, imo! it's amazing that she started out as a drummer, didn't even want to sing, but turns out she had one of the most beautiful voices of all time (as agreed by many, many people; and in my opinion has the MOST beautiful voice)
an incredibly talented woman.
She was so talented and listened to by me and my sister, also named Karen Ann, because the Carpenters were such perfection in the World of Music. My brother, by the way, is an expert Drummer.
Karen...I wish you knew how wonderful and amazing you were. It is a really difficult thing to drum with such vigor and precision and sing so smoothly and beautifully at the same time...you were a Goddess of song and a big inspiration to me. Thanks for sharing your perfect voice with the world.
Wow amazing, both feet, both hands and arms going and still singing great! Miss her and the Carpenters
I only vaguely knew who Karen Carpenter was. I just thought she was just a singer who died young. I had no idea she played the drums. She's awesome
So beautiful and so talented, we all miss you until today, you should be alive to be able to bring us good music in the 21st century.
wow, what timing and beauty rolled into one! i too lost my sister to the same thing karen had and the problem is no matter how hard you tell these people how pretty they are or how good they look is something they have to figure out for themselves and tragically sometimes is too late
Wow!! Karen Carpenter was such a gifted singer and she was such a gifted 🥁 drummer!!!! She was by far the best female drummer that I have ever watched in my life and I'm 66 years old!! Sadly, she died in February 1983 when she was 32 years old, almost 33 years. That was 40 years ago.
I know right! That is why I have much more respect for her because she is a rare natural talent. She taught herself everything and she became one of the best female drummers. Her voice is also one of a kind and sounds raw. You can tell in her higher register that she isn't really a trained singer but her intonation is so pitch-perfect even when drumming! That takes a lot of control and focus to even try to play and sing at the same time.
What a doll. What a talent. What a shame.
42lookc what a comment.
Is there anything more pathetic than being in love with a lady who died 35 years ago...? Can't help it...she's amazing.
I feel you. Beautiful, talented, funny and smart, I mean come on.
Nope.... She's amazing!!!!😍
It’s not pathetic it’s honoring her memory
Hanging around nothing to do but prawn
It is not wrong. Karen Carpenter is wonderful are not wrong to love her. She has the warmest voice. She is not rich...
She had R&B and Motown feel about her. If you listen to Stevie Wonder when he played the drums. That kind of vibe.
One of the astonishing things about Karen's drumming ability is that she was able to sing the lead and do the drums at the same time. If you haven't tried it you'll never know how hard it is.
I LOVE Karen and will ALWAYS love her. She had it ALL.
The greatest female singer of all time IMHO. Beauty, talent, PERFECTION. I'm 51 now and she has been in my life since I was about 11 years old. She inspired me to play drums at age 11.
She is so HAPPY playing!
It sort of angers me that we lost her to a disease that can be overcome!
So much talent and beauty. There will never be anyone who can speak to us all, by percussion, smile and song to come this way in generations.
RIP Karen and thank you for sharing your gifts with us
the sad thing is that she was on the road to recovery and had gained enough weight to leave hospital but doctors didn't realise her heart was in a weakened state. We know more about anorexia these days.
Her drumming technique is perfect! As is the best voice to ever sing!
Good ears and eyes...Karen was classically trained and for those that cannot see or hear, she was musical, rhythmic, polished percussionist and a great vocalist by yesterday's standards, which are held higher then today's standards. I truly believe when the industry frowned upon her performing on the drums it killed her life line and ate her up...just an opinion...coming from a 44 year veteran of drums and percussion.
I agree. When she is playing the drums and singing at the same time she radiates happiness. She wanted to continue as a member of the band; not be a diva. I think singing came naturally to her, but she enjoyed the challenge of playing the drums. She was superb as both a drummer and a singer. What a gift. I marvel when I see her both drumming and singing at the same time. Once I watched a whole Carpenter’s concert while she was on drums and singing she was flawless.
Always look forward to hearing her sing songs at xmas. I'm shocked at how good she was on drums. Wow.
Buddy Rich rarely gave compliments to other musicians let alone drummers.
He was quoted a bunch of times stating how he really enjoyed Karen's drumming.
BTW....He didn't say nice things cause she's a girl drummer. He really meant his words.
She definitely earned the praise, although I'm sure the fact that she was a traditional jazz drummer didn't hurt 🙂. He wasn't too crazy about the rock guys using the matched grip.
This woman really had it all - physical beauty mixed with a kind hearted soul, a voice who's natural feel made even the most practiced of vocalists envious and drumming skills of such caliber that Buddy Rich stated she was by far his favorite drummer -combine this with total humility and you've got yourself a once in a lifetime soul.
Many a well recognized drummer then and especially today would be felled by this lady. Sheila Escovedo, eat your heart out!
One of the most tragic stories in music history, yet one of the least known, or talked about. It's really horrible that no one could reach her before it was too late. American music lost a major talent when she went away. Her voice made me misty, and her drumming inspired me. When I was a young lad, watching her on tv was a treat. I looked up to her as much as Buddy Rich or John Bohnam.She really seemed to get joy out of slinging the hickory. She was really hot too! I miss her.
Just imagine...Karen playing with FZ in the Mothers...that would have been earth-shattering
No, Chad Wackerman couldn't be beat as the drummer for FZ!
Karla Ober ...Terry Bozzio
This video blew me away! Karen was a fine drummer! Playing jazz! Unbelievable! She was so happy here, very cool. Really enjoyed this, thanks for the posting! She was a one-of -a-kind phenomenal talent, for sure.
I'm a drummer, and also a fan of Karen Carpenter from back in the 60's & 70's. My watching this video, became my first time ever to know that Karen played any musical instruments. This documentary shows how fast she learned to play percussion & drums. She was extremely talented in these areas, as well as being one of this planets best singers! I am very impressed! rjr
I was today years old when I found out Karen Carpenter was an absolute BADASS on the drums!
I saw them twice, live in concert here in Chicago...her voice was golden as always, but she was radiate and beaming when she got behind the drums...her true passion..
THIS WAS AWESOME! That part where she runs from one set of drums to the other was VERY entertaining. Thanks for compiling this and posting it.
"Karen Carpenter was different" - Damn straight, she was badass.
She's mesmerising. A voice from heaven, probably the best female drummer of all time, and a smile that lit up the world.
Her music and voice cant help but put you in a good mood.
What a legend, what a treasure
as a former drummer in an 80's band, i will confirm that she was REALLY good. She seems to do naturally what takes the rest of us many hours of practice. I was considered very fast in most percussion circles, but her speed may be as good or better, and her timing was impeccable ! Talent like hers is ridiculously rare (possibly unique) and i say a big AMEN to teppei01's comment - take beiber & the rest of these wannabes & put them back on Amatuer Hour where they belong.
she is amazing
People these days throw the word "talented" around without knowing true talent. I'm 19 and I still think Karen is one of the most talented women in the music industry. It makes me so sad that there are not many people in the younger generation that know about the Carpenters.
And singing, and communicating with her audience, all at the same time, with that infectious smile - there's never been anyone quite like her - Karen the genius!
The question is often asked..."If there was one person you would ever like to meet..." For me, it's Karen.
Karen was a badass behind the kit...
i'll never get tired of watching this compilation. she was such an amazing artist
Man , I knew of her voice and some songs but I didn't know she could drum like that!!!! omg !!! She just has a natural talent and fast! I don't think they should have made her stop drumming, she seems to be so happy when drumming !! that's sad if they made her stop just because maybe it wasn't "lady like " or " popular " in that generation.
those were the days where music really mattered.
I had NO IDEA Karen Carpenter played the drums and sang! WOW!! That is extremely hard.
Phil Collins, Levon Helm, Don Henly, and GLoria Estefan all play drumes and sing.
Marie was in a class by herself. The Drumming was just icing on the cake. The above four Drummers (?) NEVER brought a Tear to my Eye with the sweetness of their voice. Marie had the voice of an Angel.
@@jbowdenusa you mean Karen. It's Karen Carpenter. Not Marie Osmond.
Everything she did, she did it best!!
All truly great singers have a sense of rhythm. Karen Carpenter was, without question, one of the great singers of her generation. So it's no surprise that she also was an accomplished drummer. This is truly fabulous pop music.
Karen you are a musical genius -i love you -that is pure talent -damn -AMAZING -GOLD -
it is amazing that karen's voice was just as steady and crystal clear whilst drumming, you would think all the physical exertion would detract from her perfect breath support, phrasing, etc. but it didn't. abilities a little freakish like mozart--seems people like them can't cope in this world we live in.
One of the sweetest voices ever!
Very few people have a voice as beautiful as she had.
RIP Karen Anne Carpenter, you were the bomb on those drums, and your voice, timeless, eternal...thank you for posting!!!!
She`s so beautiful !!!
Play amazing ... with powerful and soul !!!
Delicate like bird ...
Karen !
Where you are ... Peace in your heart !!
Love You !
wow..she's amazing! its very rare to see such talents like what karen have! sing and play drums at the same time...wow!!! truly amazing!
I didn't think it was possible to enjoy Karen's talent more until now...watching this video compilation changed that...great job, thank you!
What a phenom! I would rank Ms. Karen as the single most female musician of her generation.