Karen Carpenter today

[kenny]

hello!

Alrighty Carpenter boys & girls! It's time to put on your make believe hats again!

i tried to post something last week about which direction do you think Karen's life would have gone but it accidentally got erased, so i had a few moments, wanted to say hi, and post up a question for you.

What do you think Karen's life would have been like today had she lived?

Do you think that there would be a time that she would have "retired" and gone on to other things, like maybe acting, or wow - a talk show idea.... with Karen as host it'd be like having Rachel Ray, Oprah and music thrown right into one. Plus she'd sing!

I personally think that Karen would have gone on to do another solo album at a later time; had it been the late 80's or early 90's it'd be nice to have a library of Karen remix CD's & 12' dance tunes to relish on.

But I do also think that she would have retired from the long touring, etc, and only come out every few years with either a collaboration with Richard, they'd be uber-respected, etc., and it could be interesting to see how that sound would have evolved had it not gotten pulled into choral arrangements and non Carpenteresque sounds... but that's another topic!

So - what do you think Karen would be doing today?

[Rick Henry]

Hi Kenny... thank you for coming back and reposting this topic. I promise not to accidentally delete it this time.

I certainly have my viewpoints on this and will have to come back tomorrow on it as right now I am cooking dinner for the family and am quite busy.

As a side bar to this topic... how was your move? Are you pretty much settled now? I bet you love your new home...

[kenny]

Hey Rick! Hey everyone!!!!!

Thanks for the welcome and the welcome back! The move.... don't they always take longer than you plan? I'm still sorting through a few things but I have most everything done. The new place is great and I love this part - watching a place "come to life"... I've got to take new pictures tomorrow.

Hope everyone is well - and I hope we get some interesting responses!

Kenny

[Dave]

Hiya, Kenny. I'll be the second person in the "store" this evening.

I've always been a fan of the movie "The Family Man" starring Nicolas Cage, and perhaps she would have chosen to take a different road, one that was more ordinary.

The entertainment business is a meat grinder, always looking for something new and fresh

[Rick Henry]

Karen Carpenter being who she was would not have retired from the entertainment business. Yes, it is a grueling business... but I think Karen thrived on that "meat grinding gruel". Karen was a highly motivated and determined person. Her sort of determination borderlines in compulsion. She wouldn't even take a break when the opportunity presented itself in 1979, instead she recorded her solo album. Karen was one of those go, go, go people.

That said I do think she would have (as with Richard) eventually slowed down on the touring. Maybe down to 20-30 shows a year as opposed to 120-150.

Karen today would be somewhat in the status of Barbra Streisand or Aretha Franklin... a Living Legend.

I don't think Karen would become a talk show host or game show host because that's usually relegated to musicians who need the money due to lack of record sales.

Judging on the outstanding sales that Carpenters/Karen Carpenter do actually get(3-4 million every year) I would say that Carpenters would still be putting out new music every few years. By now Carpenters might be on their 19th studio album with Karen most likely on her 3rd solo album.

There certainly would be more television specials and most likely a movie or two somewhere along the line. I do think Karen would have pursued acting in some form. I could see her in most any type of movie ranging from dramatic to comedic.

Karen may have found the right guy to marry. I think if that guy did come around he most likely would have also been in entertainment in some form... a director or composer maybe... Andrew Lloyd Webber became available in 1990.

Although, Karen looked like the down home sweet girl next door. Her drive and motivation was always more like that of Madonna or Cher. Karen always wanted to be the best and was always striving for that next hit. She always made goals and had to reach those goals. From this I come to the conclusion that for Karen Carpenter to simply retire from a business she loved just is not in picture.

[Dave]

Building off of Rick's thoughts...

What about playing a steady Vegas gig, much as Celine Deon did for many years?
Doing that allows an artist to do what they do best, perform, while allowing them to have a home life.

Fact is, no matter what, all good things must end someday, and then you have to go to Plan B. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Roberta Flack return to teaching music when the hits stopped coming?

[Rick Henry]

Mar 3, 2009 11:22:20 GMT -5 Dave said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Roberta Flack return to teaching music when the hits stopped coming?

I'll take you up on that Dave... no Roberta Flack did not return to teaching music when the hits stopped coming... she just continued recording music and doing shows. In the 90's she released 3 albums and in this decade she has already released another 2 albums with a 3rd on the way. She records one every 3 or 4 years or so.

In 1999 Flack received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was doing concerts in South Africa, Turkey, Argentina, Australia and Japan earlier in the 2000's. In 2002 she participated in Nile Rodger's "We Are Family" movie and single, which set an example of unity among all Americans. She also participated in the nationwide “Come Back to D.C.” television campaign, a joint collaboration between the Federal Government and the DC Tourism Board.

For 2005, “Songs From the Neighborhood,” an all star tribute to the music of the late Fred “Mr.” Rogers, showcases Ms. Flack’s inimitable vocal talent, as she sings the signature classic and theme song to Rogers’ beloved T.V. program, “What a beautiful day in the neighborhood.”

Today, Roberta Flack remains a shining inspiration to her fans, peers and younger musicians in the music industry. Roberta has appeared with soul artists like Alicia Keyes, India.Arie and Angie Stone, younger artists who have been heavily influenced by Roberta Flack’s earlier achievements.

Presently, Ms. Flack is planning her forthcoming album, and is currently hard at work in the studio!

Most entertainers plan B is to keep on doing what they do best... just at a slower rate.

I think Karen (if she were here today) would also be doing work with youger artists like Norah Jones, Diana Krall and so forth... she would be collaborating with them and offering guidance as Roberta Flack, Stevie Nicks and many of the seasoned artists have been doing.

[Rick Henry]

Hey all... I know you're out there... what's your thoughts on this topic or thoughts on what has been said by Dave or myself.

I'm interested in hearing what you have to say.

[enigma]

Karen proved in the late 1970s when Richard went into "rehab" that there was no slow down in her life the fact that she was bored on her honeymoon seems to indicate a driven person who needs to be busy Karen is not someone to sit around and relax she seems to get bored easily so I think she would not retire she would keep going. I think the solo records would keep coming when Richard did not want to record or wanted to take a rest then a Carpenters record every few years. If Karen ever chose to settle down it would be a temporary thing and she would likely be still recording vegas does sound like a nice fit to cut down on the touring and serves the Carpenters very well. Family would be a tough one for Karen because dispite the fact she wanted a husband and kids the question of whether Karen would slow down and make the sacrifice to properly raise a family would come into play I am not sure Karen would be willing to do that she could be selfish and self centered at times as we have seen maybe having kids would change this who knows. That's the E story!

[Dave]

I thought of something else...Delilah often refers to herself as "the queen of sappy love songs", but didn't that moniker get applied to the Carpenters back in the day? Anyone else think that Karen could have the spot that Delilah has today?

Rick, you and I must have played volleyball somewhere along the way...I set 'em up, and you finish 'em off!
Great info on Roberta Flack for those of us who have lost track. I still like "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", from a Clint Eastwood movie titled "Play Misty For Me".
He plays a DJ named Dave

[kenny]

I love reading all the notes here about this - I think it all points out that we all miss Karen and wish that we could still have her here.

[Rick Henry]

Mar 4, 2009 12:37:51 GMT -5 enigma said:

Karen proved in the late 1970s when Richard went into "rehab" that there was no slow down in her life the fact that she was bored on her honeymoon seems to indicate a driven person who needs to be busy Karen is not someone to sit around and relax she seems to get bored easily so I think she would not retire she would keep going. I think the solo records would keep coming when Richard did not want to record or wanted to take a rest then a Carpenters record every few years. If Karen ever chose to settle down it would be a temporary thing and she would likely be still recording vegas does sound like a nice fit to cut down on the touring and serves the Carpenters very well. Family would be a tough one for Karen because dispite the fact she wanted a husband and kids the question of whether Karen would slow down and make the sacrifice to properly raise a family would come into play I am not sure Karen would be willing to do that she could be selfish and self centered at times as we have seen maybe having kids would change this who knows. That's the E story!

E... you make a good point in stating that family would be tough for Karen. Eventhough she did mention that she wanted to marry and have children... would she have been able to commit herself to putting the time into finding the right guy to marry and then the time to be pregnant and then finally raise the kid(s). All that takes a major commitment of time and it seemed that really not much else came before music in Karen's life. Karen was truly dedicated to her life of music. She did get married once (and as you stated E) she got bored of it on her honeymoon... the first night actually. I don't think Karen getting bored like that had much to do with Tom... but everything to do with Karen.

No doubt if Karen were still around today she would still be recording... who knows she may have even done one of those "VH1 Divas Live" albums that were popular in the 90's.

[timo]

How cool would it be to hear a new Karen Carpenter or The Carpenters record every "now and then" in these days!
But if Karen lived today, she would have overcome anorexia and those are the moments in anybody's life for estimating what you really value - I'm sure a family with kids could have been one possibility for her!
And that album recorded with Sonic Youth...

[Rick Henry]

Mar 9, 2009 6:00:09 GMT -5 timo said:

How cool would it be to hear a new Karen Carpenter or The Carpenters record every "now and then" in these days!
But if Karen lived today, she would have overcome anorexia and those are the moments in anybody's life for estimating what you really value - I'm sure a family with kids could have been one possibility for her!
And that album recorded with Sonic Youth...

Now that's one I never thought of... a collaboration between Sonic Youth and Karen Carpenter... that would be outstanding Karen's voice with Thurston Moore's unorthodox guitar workings. I would buy it in an instant.

[smoothie2]

Wonderful input by all. I haven't said hey to this dude named Dave around here for long time so hey Dave! Yes, I know it's my own fault, you've had your own gig going....I just haven't clocked into that.
Glad to know you are still a character with quite interesting thoughts and the wife named Karen.
Good topic Kenny and a big hello also.
My oH My....the sky's the limit (or not) for such a talent like Karen.
*** I do indeed she would have a big hand in helping people with eating disorders, because I really think she was on the road to recovery when she left us.
*** She'd be healthy once again and still making music perhaps on the road some but not near the rigorous schedule she did have.
*** She would be still making albums, a few of her very own and not leaving Richard far behind. Definitely the two of them would be making music together, but not leaving new artists behind either.
I'm not sure if marriage would still be a high priorority for her. I'd like to think she would take another chance for love and have children.

[Rick Henry]

Mar 12, 2009 21:52:10 GMT -5 smoothie2 said:

My oH My....the sky's the limit (or not) for such a talent like Karen.
*** I do indeed she would have a big hand in helping people with eating disorders, because I really think she was on the road to recovery when she left us.
*** She'd be healthy once again and still making music perhaps on the road some but not near the rigorous schedule she did have.
*** She would be still making albums, a few of her very own and not leaving Richard far behind. Definitely the two of them would be making music together, but not leaving new artists behind either.
I'm not sure if marriage would still be a high priorority for her. I'd like to think she would take another chance for love and have children.

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Yes, I think Karen would have done a lot of work to help people with eating disorders. She most likely would have furthered her work with the American Cancer Society. Karen always seemed to be one who wanted to do good with her celebrity status. She always seemed concerned about helping others.

[cam83]

I think Karen would have done the record with Richard in 1983, and gone touring. Those were their plans. They still would have been stunningly successful, even at that day. Imagine, it would have been 5 years since they did a LIVE show, so would guess that their would have been A LOT of interest in their doing that. I think A&M ( I hope) would have re-evaluated their stance on the Carpenters, the group, the image, and promotion and seen what a gold mine they still would have had. Even if they did have a gold album here, or platinum there...their sales would have kept on growing.

I think she would have found time to have a family, but I also think she might have learned her lesson with Tom...and taken it a lot slower than the rushed 1980 wedding fiasco. Look at CHerry Boone O'Neill, she had 5 kids, a marriage, her sisters all had kids(16 between the 4 sisters of Debby, Cherry, Lindy and Laury). And they still sing. They are on youtube BOONE GIRLS or BOONE SISTERS. THey do charity events and sing. Of course, Karen would have been in a much higher league and public eye then them...

I could see her doing comedic sketches on tv or film. She did express interest in that.

And of course, she would have done a few solo albums...maybe a Standards album or a Duets album...and of course now and then (pardon the pun), doing a CARPENTERS album...or a Carpenters REUNION album and Tour sometime in the 1990's...

[cinscorp]

I agree with most of the comments on Karen continuing to record and thrive in the music business. I do think a standards record might have been done, after all Linda Ronstadt had success with 3 or 4 of those. I also think with the growing appreciation of upcoming artists who grew up on Carpenters records, Karen would have possibly done some really great guest vocals with some rock bands. The mentioned Sonic Youth was one I thought of, too. Madonna has mentioned Karen as an inspiration to her as well...so it's possible that Karen might have done a duet with Madonna and had the success that Donna Summer & Barbra Streisand had with their duet. Who knows? In my Karen-world, she would have mixed it up and showed all facets of her great gift....