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Post by Rob813 on Aug 4, 2005 17:39:52 GMT -5
If we could go back in time and you could be Karen and Richard's agent, what would you have done to guide their career? I would have recommended less touring and more time for recording. I also would have negotiated more TV appearances earlier on. I also would have pushed for more music and less comedy on their specials. I will continue to think about this and add additional thoughts as we go along.
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Post by cam83 on Aug 4, 2005 19:51:40 GMT -5
I would have showcased more of Karen's singing...the styles she could handle with ease...and showcase it on an album focusing on her syle/voice etc. I would also find out who she would have liked to duet with...in terms of a MALE album and a FEMALE album. I would also have let her do some tv...FANTASY ISLAND, LOVE BOAT or whatever. Maybe have her co-starring in a Musical on Broadway. Maybe write a children's book.
Some of my thoughts, Cam
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Post by enigma on Aug 5, 2005 6:52:33 GMT -5
Wow Rob Richard would have hired you as an agent in a heartbeat everything you mentioned are the complaints Richard has had over the years. For myself I would have them tour alot in the beginning to expose them but after they hit it big like after Close To You I would cut down greatly on the touring as Richard said The Carpenters were primarily a recording act and I agree that their best work was in the studio on the albums. Also I feel that if Karen were in the studio more and touring less there would be less pressure for her and she would not have to be as conscious of her physical appearance as she was. I think they had more than enough TV appearances early on they could not have possibly did more so that could stay the same. As for the specials well I certainly would cut down on the cheesiness of the humor get better writers for the humor parts and yes cut down on them and expand the musical part that is Karen and Richards area of expertise after all they are not a comedy team. Other than that just simply be more sensitive to Karen and Richards needs rather than counting how much money I can get out of them and slow everything down to a manageable pace as opposed to the insane pace they had Karen and Richard going at.
Its interesting Dave that you mentioned the Carpenters branching out because in a 1981 interview on the Today Show both Karen and Richard were talking about making less albums and branching out Karen mention wanting to star in a musical and wanting Richard to score it...oh what could have been.
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Post by BethMosior on Aug 5, 2005 13:54:51 GMT -5
I would have not booked sooooo many shows and given them more time in the studio, in time thats where the REAL money is, also more video's and books more TV spots too, anything to give them rest but keep them in the public eye
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Post by BethMosior on Aug 6, 2005 17:40:01 GMT -5
LOL Dave it sounds like you've been listening to " Take It Easy On yourself " LOL ok all my meds and the very humid weather is getting to me
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Post by cam83 on Aug 6, 2005 17:45:15 GMT -5
But they LOVED music too much to have that kind of attitude...
Cam
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Post by BethMosior on Aug 6, 2005 20:58:29 GMT -5
Hi Dave, I just keep getting worse, sometimes its hard to do anything thanx for your message yes Cam they did love music very much, they would still be in the studio even on days off WOW thats true love and you can sure tell, they are the best hay Dave did you pass by Staunton, Va,. because I live close to there
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Post by smoothie2 on Aug 6, 2005 23:05:33 GMT -5
hi all, Very good and interesting topic. :..I really agree with all that's been said...as far as less touring which might have helped Karen's health problems, I think they were ready surely to go their separate ways once they had really turned out so many albums. And of course, as far as personally, these aspects of what they wanted came about, with Karen's solo album and her marriage. As far as on the whole, I would also, wanted them to sing more on their tv specials also. I suppose as an agent, in order for them to reach the success they did, then whoever was their agent, or manager, had to push them into that hectic but surreal type of life. I agree with you Cam also, that Karen could have had many options to try instead of just singing. I've been thinking along those same lines that she was such a natural in front of an audience. I can easily imagine her being an actress as well.
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Post by Rick Henry on Aug 6, 2005 23:58:04 GMT -5
But they LOVED music too much to have that kind of attitude... Cam Yes, Karen and Richard loved music way to much too just drop it. I don't think they would have ever done that. Richard did take a year off 1979. So he did drop things for a while to get help for himself. We all know what Karen did in '79. She certainly did not take the time to rest and get help for her problems (although she did finally address her health in '82 - though as we know the damage had already been done). And that is a shame. Then on the other side of the coin we are left with a wonderful gift from her.
I can't even fathom what I would have done if I were the Carpenters' manager. Though I do believe that slowing down the concert tours would have been a good idea. Carpenters did not need to tour to promote their albums. As a matter of fact for most of the 70's a Carpenters album really didn't need that much of a push for it to go GOLD. They were considered a sure thing.
I agree that with some training Karen could have been an outstanding actress. She could do comedy but I also see a deeper more dramatic side of her. I can imagine Karen playing some whacked out psycho in a psychological thriller something akin to "Misery". I don't know why but I can imagine Karen doing some really heavy roles.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Aug 7, 2005 8:39:46 GMT -5
Wow, very interesting thread. Dave, your Quantum Leap episode would have been my very favorite of them all, had it turned out the way it should have, that is..... What would I have done? Not unlike the rest of you, as hindsight is 20/20, I believe I would have attempted to cut their touring schedule dramatically, nevertheless, keeping them on the road - just not every single week. They desperately needed time in the studio, once they began to get exposure, and they didn't need to be playing outside venues and those kinds of things (though I'm happy that they actually did that, seeing as that's one of the places I actually saw them perform). They needed more time to recharge - to "get" lives. Yet, it's not that easy. Billy Joel so cleverly makes a statement in his song "The Entertainer" where he says "But if I go cold, I won't get sold - I get put in the back, in the discount rack, like another can-of-beans." They HAD to maintain the exposure level. Its crucial. It makes all the difference, I believe. It's true, you know. They had to stay out there and perform. I would have attempted more Television exposure. This was excellent exposure for them. I would have wanted them heard, heard, heard - and seen as much as possible, but not necessarily touring. Balancing the need for exposure, and the need for down time had to be a tough thing for all involveld. The personalities of the two (Karen and Rich) were such that down time was almost non-existant, even when it was available to them. They were ALWAYS doing something. So - taking that into consideration as well, I think keeping them occupied in terms of their music would have to be a number one priority - I just think there may have been different avenues they could have taken, but perhaps with a bit less stress involved. The touring around the world, and so many days out of the year, seemed to be the piece that really made their lives the most difficult. Just some Sunday morning ramblings. Tim
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Post by smoothie2 on Aug 7, 2005 22:00:10 GMT -5
But they LOVED music too much to have that kind of attitude... Cam Yes, Karen and Richard loved music way to much too just drop it. I don't think they would have ever done that. Richard did take a year off 1979. So he did drop things for a while to get help for himself. We all know what Karen did in '79. She certainly did not take the time to rest and get help for her problems (although she did finally address her health in '82 - though as we know the damage had already been done). And that is a shame. Then on the other side of the coin we are left with a wonderful gift from her.
I can't even fathom what I would have done if I were the Carpenters' manager. Though I do believe that slowing down the concert tours would have been a good idea. Carpenters did not need to tour to promote their albums. As a matter of fact for most of the 70's a Carpenters album really didn't need that much of a push for it to go GOLD. They were considered a sure thing.
I agree that with some training Karen could have been an outstanding actress. She could do comedy but I also see a deeper more dramatic side of her. I can imagine Karen playing some whacked out psycho in a psychological thriller something akin to "Misery". I don't know why but I can imagine Karen doing some really heavy roles. REALLY? A whacked out psycho..hmm...well, I know she may have had fun playing something so different than the Karen everyone knew....I surely can't picture that too much...but mostly I just love the singing Karen....
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Post by Rick Henry on Aug 7, 2005 22:45:26 GMT -5
REALLY? A whacked out psycho..hmm...well, I know she may have had fun playing something so different than the Karen everyone knew....I surely can't picture that too much...but mostly I just love the singing Karen.... Well what can I say Kathy I have an overactive imagination. But really I can easily see Karen playing some heavier dramatic roles had she pursued a film career. Karen was so very dramatic on stage when she would sing songs like "Rainy Days And Mondays" or "Superstar". As much as Karen has a natural sense of humor, she also has a darker dramatic side to her. You can hear the multifaceted sides of Karen's personality in her singing voice. It's all there the dark and dramatic, the sweet and innocent, the upbeat and happy, the sad and forlorn, the carefree and fun and so forth.
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Post by smoothie2 on Aug 11, 2005 23:27:41 GMT -5
Oh hi Dave! All thumbs up on having the shuttle and crew back safe and sound! I like your idea also Dave, Karen could be on a soap...she'd like that I think..she could show her sex appeal even more...she could be good or bad... same as with what Rick brought up...many emotional ups and downs that Karen could easily express. And then today...I thought..she could be (or could have been back then, or now) one of Charlie's Angels!
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Post by enigma on Aug 12, 2005 7:00:57 GMT -5
Based on what I read Karen would probably be more suited for a fast paced live show like something on broadway or a SNL type variety show. Karen hated the "down times" on a television set she was often bored stiff as she put it that was a big complaint she had about Make Your Own Kind Of Music so normal TV probably would not be for her the fast pace of Broadway or a variety show would be more Karens speed. A broadway type show would also allow her to mix musical numbers with dramatic and/or comedic roles and better round out Karens many talents I think she would be perfect for such a show and it would fit Karens personality a perfect marrage as far as I am concerned I'd pay to see that.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Aug 12, 2005 21:57:56 GMT -5
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Post by enigma on Aug 13, 2005 8:49:12 GMT -5
Hey Enigma, here's a thought: How about Karen on "Survivor"? I'll bet she would've surprised a lot of people. Reality television? Karen? Nooooooo I'd bet she outlast them all though and a move no one would have expected Hmmm.
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Post by Rick Henry on Aug 13, 2005 10:24:03 GMT -5
Hey Enigma, here's a thought: How about Karen on "Survivor"? I'll bet she would've surprised a lot of people. Reality television? Karen? Nooooooo I'd bet she outlast them all though and a move no one would have expected Hmmm. I agree reality TV and Karen noooo. But hey give her drumsticks and she will outlast them all.
A soap opera could be fun. But I don't think Karen would want to be trapped into the day to day routine of having to be on the set.
I still see Karen as a big screen actress as opposed to a television actress. Mainly because her talents and abilities are so diverse. Or as Enigma mentioned Karen is also very well suited for live stage musicals - something on braodway. Karen was a natural in front of a live audience.
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Post by Ming on Aug 13, 2005 10:45:48 GMT -5
Yes, I agree. Karen was a natural in front of a live audience.
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