Did you know that Karen...

[cam83]

Hi All,
Here are some more Did you know that Karen...

Did you know that Karen was not the first female drummer? There was one (cannot remember her name) but she lived in the UK and was popular during the 1960's I believe...

Did you know that Karen was teased mercilessly by Bette Midler? They also recorded the song SUPERSTAR, with Karen's becoming the biggest hit...and a gold one at that. Bette even wore a gold record on her head and said, "Miss Karen gave this to me!" At the Grammy Awards, Richard and Karen even presented Bette with the Grammy Award. In her book Bette states, "I was short and heavier, and she (Karen) was slender and tall..." And made known their opposite musical styles. She made fun of Karen all during the 1970's, and even after Karen's death. Then in Redbook magazine she apologized to the Carpenter family for all those cruel jokes she made about Karen. "I was a jerk and I thought I was being profound. But instead I was adding to the ugliness of the world. Karen had talent!" She said she drove by where Karen used to live and always thought of her...

Did you know that Bear Rudolph was Richard and Karen's cousin. Bear's sister Mary, would marry Richard in 1984. Mary's mom, and Karen's mom were sisters...Bernice and Agnes...

Did you know that Karen did needlepoint even up to her death...she loved needlepointing and made a sign for her therapist Steven Levenkron entitled "You win-I gain" Karen loved the irony of that saying...

Did you know that Tina Turner was apparently a big fan of Karen Carpenter? They appeared on the HEARTACHE TONIGHT with mutual friend Olivia Newton-John...and that Tina wished she and Karen could have done a duet...


Cameron

[karpart]

I got the tape with Olivia named Hollywood Nights and Karen was just in a bit part. I thought her and Olivia Newton john were close friends and felt she should have been allowed time for a song. Was really hear broke.

[smoothie2]

Again, no I didn't know all that! thanks for all the research and time you and Rick are doing on the bio.s.







smoothie

[Moe]

In the first post, it makes it sound like Richard married his cousin, Mary? Is this accurate? Is this legal? yikes!

By the way, how many kids does Richard have and which flavor? I thought he had 3 or 4 girls and 2 sons.

Thanks for the info...

[cam83]

Hi Moe,
Yes, Richard married his cousin Mary Rudolph. Mary's mother, Bernice is Agnes Carpenter's sister. And of course Richard and Karen's mother is Agnes. Yes, the marriage was legal. Also, Mary Carpenter's brother is BEAR, the Carpenters former road manager, and his name is Mark Rudolph.
Richard has 5 children...
Kristi Lynn
Traci Tatum
Mindi Karen
Colin Paul
Taylor Mary(I can't exactly remember)

So, 4 girls and 1 boy. I believe...

Cam

[cam83]

In regards to Karen's illness...During her 9 month stay in New York, she went thru an amazing 30 pairs of jogging shoes. Which meant that she was exercising like crazy! Walking and running, and also probably in her room at the Hotel.

In the Karen Carpenter Story tv movie, they depict her running as a means of losing weight before she sings TOP OF THE WORLD and supposedly collapses!

Also that outfit she wears while collapsing, the satin floor gown and the flashy green and white top, were from Karen Carpenter's 1977 Carpenters at Christmas Special...except then she wore a blouse underneath it.
Cam

[wisejester7]

Wow! Imagine a Tina Turner/Karen Carpenter duet! That would have been a goodie;-)

[magiclamp]

Mary Carpenter also has another brother, who works outside of the entertainment industry.

[theeaceman64]

Thanks and Bear's name was actually Mark.  Mary was adopted.  Mark's mom was only pregnant once with Mark.  As far as I've ever known, there was only ever Mark and Mary Rudolph.  I can't remember if it was either Mark or Mary's grandmother or great grandmother that spoke dutch/german and taught Karen how to speak dutch/german.  Karen actually had a pennsylvania dutch accent and always 'warshed' her clothes and such.