Post by Rick Henry on Feb 1, 2006 15:14:58 GMT -5
Monday August 27, 1979
Karen and Olivia happened to be in new York at the same time. Karen was there to make an appearance on the "Tonight Show" and Olivia was at the end of a U.S. tour. They hadn't seen each other in months so they made sure to take advantage of this opportunity and got together for lunch.
They met at the hotel Olivia was staying in. Olivia had a huge lunch prepared. It consisted of Avocado, sliced red onion and swiss cheese on whole wheat bread, baked chicken breast, tossed red romaine lettuce salad and an unusual but delicious combination German chocolate / carrot cake. They sipped on Karen's favorite beverage of Ice Tea.
"Olivia, what a beautiful lunch," Karen said as she walked in.
"Oh, just wait for dessert," Olivia giggled back.
Karen and Olivia sat at the flawlessly set table and ate the lunch fit for a king (or in their case a queen).
"What a tasty salad," Karen mentioned after taking a bite, "I just love the garlic croutons and creamy Italian dressing."
"I had the cook add a little ranch to make it just a bit creamier," Olivia answered back.
"I went to a marvelous party two weeks ago with Frenda and Ed," Karen gestured with her fork as she spoke. "Frenda keeps trying to fix me up with someone wherever we go. I keep telling her I'm alright and happy with my life the way it is right now. But she doesn't seem to agree."
"Well, I don't know Karen," Olivia says, "A good man can make all the difference."
"Oh enough anyway," Karen scuffles back, "I met quite a few interesting people at the party. I spoke with Roy Orbison for a while. He wants to record a duet with me. Can you believe that? I mean Roy Orbison is one of the greats off all-time."
"Yes, I can believe it Karen," Olivia responds, "You're also one of the all-time greats. You're definitely in the same league as Roy Orbison."
"Yes, yes," Karen scurries back, "Anyway Roy was really easygoing. I felt very comfortable speaking with him. He has an ease with conversation which is really refreshing."
"How thrilling," Olivia says with awe, "I've heard many nice things about him. You are so lucky Karen. He has such a beautiful voice. You guys are going to sound great together.
After eating lunch Olivia stood up and said to Karen, "Are you ready for dessert?"
"Oh yes, you know I am," Karen answers quickly.
Olivia lifts the silver top to reveal the huge and beautiful cake.
"Yum German chocolate one of my favorites," Karen exclaims with a drool in her voice.
"Oh no, it's a German chocolate/carrot cake," Olivia answered.
"Even better the best of both worlds," Karen said as she took a plate and made a comical face as Olivia served her a piece of cake.
After dessert Karen and Olivia went into the living room of the hotel suite and continued to talk. Karen mentioned meeting Tony Danza at the party and that he was singing quite well.
Several minutes later Karen felt a heaviness in her stomach and became light headed and dizzy.
"Are you alright Karen?" Olivia asked, "You're looking green around the gills."
"I don't know. Maybe I ate too much," Karen said, "I feel queesy."
"Where's the bathroom", Karen asked as she stood up.
"That way," Olivia pointed.
Karen ran into the bathroom where she ended up getting sick.
When she came back she was feeling weak so she lied down on the sofa. Olivia wet a towel and put it on Karen's forehead to help comfort her.
"That was weird," Karen said, "I must have some kind of food poisoning. I still don't feel right."
"You better just lay back. maybe I should call a doctor," Olivia said.
"No, no," Karen shook her head, "I just ate something that didn't agree with me. I'll be okay if I can just rest for about an hour."
Tuesday August 28, 1979
"Love Making Love To You" is now in heavy rotation across the U.S. It hasn't debuted on the charts yet - but it's looking good.
Karen made her appearance on the Tonight Show she sang "Love Making Love to You" and received a standing ovation from the audience.
"My Body Keeps Changing My Mind" falls five spots down to #57 in it's thirteenth week.
Wednesday August 29, 1979
Now back in Century City the light headedness and queesy stomach was still bothering Karen so she went to see her doctor today. He performed a few tests on her and took a blood sample. He couldn't find anything wrong with Karen immediately. But he felt maybe Karen may have a food allergy.
Thursday August 30, 1979
Today Karen received a phone call from Jackson Browne. He asked her if she might be interested in performing in the MUSE anti-nuclear benefit concert.
"You want me to sing in this concert?" Karen asked with a puzzled and surprised tone in her voice.
"Oh yes definitely," Browne answered, "as a matter of fact I'd like to sing a duet with you."
"Well we're going to have to talk with the powers that be at A&M records and Phil Ramone. I'm under contract to both right now," Karen said. "A&M really keeps a tight hold on the reigns."
"Well Karen," Browne states, "You were able to convince A&M to let you record and release a solo album. I know you can convince them to do a short five night concert date."
"When and where?" Karen asks.
"It'll be at the Madison Square Garden from September 19th to the 23rd," Browne answered.
"I know I want to do it," Karen says, "Though I pretty much said I wasn't going to do any concert dates or tours in 1979. I really needed the rest. I've been touring for eight years without stopping. But this is only five nights and it is for a good cause. I really want to get involved in a cause. I'm tired of people thinking I'm just the sweet kid from next door."
"Okay Karen," Browne comments, "Let's set a date next week and you and I will talk with the suits together."
"Sounds great Jackson," Karen says.
Monday September 3, 1979
Today Karen and Jackson met with Herb Alpert, Jerry Moss and Phil Ramone. Surprisingly they met with almost no resistance to the idea of Karen performing in the benefit concert. Herb actually stated that this would be a good career move for Karen and the Carpenters. The only stipulation is that Karen does not perform any Carpenters tunes. Karen had no problem with that as she wants to perform her solo songs anyway. With this agreement a contract was drawn up and signed and Karen is set to fly out to New York five days before the concert for rehearsals.
Tuesday September 4, 1979
"My Body Keeps Changing My Mind" falls another eight spots down to #65 in it's 14th week.
"Love Makin' Love To You" enters the top 100 at #59. so far this is her highest chart debut from her solo album. Karen is totally excited by this and is hopeful that finally she will have a real bonafide hit from her solo album.
Thursday September 6, 1979
At 2:00 o'clock this afternoon Karen went back to see her doctor to get the results of her tests.
"Karen," her doctor said, "I have good news for you. You don't have any food allergies."
"Okay," Karen says, "So why do I have this nausea, what's the bad news?"
"Well, I don't know if this is bad news," the doctor continues speaking, "But it is news. Karen, you're pregnant."
"What," she screamed, "No, this is bad news. I can't be pregnant, I'm on the pill."
"The pill isn't always 100%," the doctor answered.
Karen sat there numbed in the doctors office for a minute to gather her thoughts.
"But, I'm Karen Carpenter, I can't be pregnant," Karen says, "Please don't tell anybody about this. I need to be able to figure out how I'm going to tell A&M and even worse my family, my mom."
"I won't say anything," the doctor responded, "but in a few weeks when you start showing everybody will know about it."
"How far along am I?" she asked the doctor.
"You're about six weeks along," he answered, "the due date is May 2, 1980."
After her doctor's visit Karen drove home and sat in her living room with the TV on in the background. She contemplated how she wanted to go about letting people know that she's pregnant. She knew this wasn't going to be easy - but she had to do this.
Tuesday September 11, 1979
"My Body Keeps Changing My Mind" is now at #79 in it's 15th week.
"Love Makin' Love To You" moves up a whopping 26 spots to #33 in it's second week. Finally a top 40 hit. To celebrate this Herb and Jerry sent Karen a dozen red roses and a telegram to congratulate her on her current success.
Karen is completely enthralled by the success of "Love Makin' Love to You". She has had so much faith in her solo album and truly feels it's a great work. She was very saddened when the first two singles did not make the top 40. But still the album has not done to well on the charts. She's hoping this current chart success will revive interest in the album.
Beyond all this excitement Karen realizes that she needs to let her little secret out. But she just doesn't know how to go about it. She's afraid of how the public will view her. Will her fans accept her as an unwed mother? She still hasn't told the baby's father. How will he feel about this? Forget the fans and the father, how about Herb and Jerry? Even worse what will mom Carpenter think? Hmmm...[/b]