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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 9, 2004 9:23:21 GMT -5
I have been a fan of the Carpenters since 1971 and have many fond memories which include them. One of my favorites was when the first Christmas special was on televion. I was aware of it a few weeks before it was on, due to the fan club newletter, but somehow I forgot about it. Can you believe I forgot something like that. Anyway I was visiting my friend Vanessa at the time and she turned on the TV and there were Karen & Richard just a the beginning of the show. We ended up watching the entire show. It was a wonderful show. I do remember my friend mentioning; "Doesn't Karen look a bit thin?" At that point for some reason I didn't notice how thin she was and I commented that I thought she looked really nice.
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Post by enigma on Jul 9, 2004 10:27:48 GMT -5
I was too young when the Carpenters came out to really appreciate their music so it was not until 1974 that I became a fan (I did not even know it then). About 6 years later I obtained their first TV special and watched it. It was at this time it really dawned on me the complete package Karen Carpenter really was. From the amazing drum solo, the songs, the comedy bits etc., I found out just how talented and versetile Karen was. I noticed she did look thin in this special too, especially the number she did with John Denver in the white dress where he carried her around when she stiffened up I thought she was going to break; she looked so delecate. This special hold fond memories for me for the simple reason that it was entertaining and my first look at Karen in all her glory (Richard was good as well) rather than just and angelic voiced performer. Wow a truely amazing woman.
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Post by cam83 on Jul 9, 2004 10:32:00 GMT -5
Hi All, Well since I was too young to be around and know who the Carpenters were until 1988...I have had fond memories of organizing my own CARPENTER get-togethers with friends. We will listen to a "generous"sampling of Carpenters songs, the hits, plus bonuses(songs they may have never heard before)...then we watch the videos and different clips. Then we talk about them, and may end up watching THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY. It is a lot of fun to do and something I do, and am known for, in my own circle of friends.
My thoughts, Cameron
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Post by Moe on Jul 10, 2004 2:21:01 GMT -5
I remember when I was back in high school, I took a creative writing class. One time, we had to get up in front of the class and read a poem or song lyrics that fits our thoughts on love. We had a couple of days to think about it. I ended up reading the lyrics to "Now." I usually get really nervous about public speaking, but I actually looked forward to sharing these wonderful lyrics. It went over well with my classmates and the teacher asked for a copy of the words! "...and now, all the fears that I had start to fade. I was always afraid love might forget me, love might let me down. then look who I found..."
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Post by OceanKing on Jul 10, 2004 16:30:57 GMT -5
Me too! I watched all those specials in the 70s and never really noticed Karen's thin appearance (and I was aware of what anorexia was back then, too).
I remember watching "Music, Music, Music" in 1980 with a friend. At one point, he commented, "Wow, she's starting to look so OLD." I didn't know what he was talking about, but he had noticed how drawn she looked.
And yet, today, when I watch clips from those shows, Karen's illness is SO obvious in hindsight. I don't know why it didn't register with me back then. Maybe the thrill of seeing and hearing Karen performing new songs on TV overshadowed everything else.
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Post by Rob813 on Jul 10, 2004 17:11:50 GMT -5
My fondest memories are of going to two Carpenter concerts in the early and late 70's at the Performing Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ. The Carpenter logo larger than life behind the band. They sang all the hits and then some. I do recall a woman sitting in front of me commenting on how frail Karen looked. I wanted to tell her to shut up. - Shows what denial I was in about Karen's appearance - Looking back she was so thin - it was so obvious something was wrong. Anyway, I also recall going to a local record shop (before we had all the giant stores in the mall). The shop owner knew of my love of the Carpenters and would give me promotion material like free standing placards that were placed in the store window. I gave them to my sister years later and she still has them. I also received every fan club newsletter ever sent out by the fan club. It was exciting to read about their adventures while on tour and also the Q and A section where we would learn personal stuff about them. As you can tell, I have alot of fond memories which I enjoy sharing with anyone who will listen.
Rob
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Post by Rob813 on Jul 10, 2004 17:15:43 GMT -5
By the way, at the latter concert I got to shake Karen and Richard's hand during the show. What an honor for me. I can still remember how excited I was. Wow!
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Post by cam83 on Jul 10, 2004 20:02:10 GMT -5
That would be so awesome to shake their hand and to see them perform live. I remember I would have been in grade 12, and I did a report on The Carpenters. Their story for my English class, and I passed around the fan club 8x10's, brought my posters, and told the Carpenters story. I also played Carpenters music in the background. I get embarrassed thinking about it, but I was so gung ho about them back then.
Also for the 1990 Grammy Awards, I did a thing on the Grammy Award History and of course, the Carpenters were heavily featured on that. This was for my GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY class. For current events.
My thoughts, Cameron
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Post by BethMosior on Jul 11, 2004 5:58:24 GMT -5
I have alot of things going on in my head, its hard to just pick one, ok here it goes one was when I got the note from the fan club saying' that all Richard and Karen's fans are thought of as friends too even tho they don't meet them all in person', but I said that one awhile ago and is my top fond memory, lets see,when the 1st music video came out wow, I thought that I had died and gone to heaven seeing Karen and knowing that it was mine and not on TV, so that I could watch it over and over again, my family didn't own a vcr, so all I had of thier specials were tape cassettes and what I remembered, later I bought my very 1st VCR I always love the one where Karen showed pictures of her and Richard when they were kids, the best one was when Karen showed a picture of her one Christmas and said ' this is me and got what every little girl wants for Christmas a machine gun LOL, and I thought that was cool because when I was 2 years old that was one of my gifts, I really got a kick out of that ok I'll stop for now, but this sure is fun takes me back to good thoughts Karen & Richard
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Post by smoothie2 on Jul 11, 2004 14:08:56 GMT -5
For several of you out there who really got to see Karen and Richard in concert...and especially to meet them...what great excitement and memories you're blessed to have! I loved all the different variety shows that used to be on in the 60's and 70's...the Smothers Brothers, Carol Burnett, Bobby Goldsboro, Sonny and Cher, Laugh-in, J. Denver, Donny and marie, and of course "the C's". I was especially obsessed with John Denver all through high school and saw him in concert in '78. The Carps. were fantastic too. I do vaguely recall the Music, Music, Music show, but I was only about 9 or 10, so I don't remember too much about it. I guess my favorite recollection of them is the special they had which was a Christmas one. Karen in the furry white old-fashioned bonnet hat and furry mitt and she sang Merry Christmas Darling. At that time, she was slender, but not too much so. She was just gorgeous with her big brown eyes and the graceful way she walked in that long dress, and the song was super of course. I do recall that both she and Richard seemed to really enjoy having the show and their guests. They did some funny skits, and like the C. Burnett shows...all those involved didn't try to keep much of a straight face doing the skits...then one would laugh or goof up and then the giggles would set in. But that was just the fun of those shows.
smoothie
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Post by smoothie2 on Jul 11, 2004 14:20:12 GMT -5
As I mentioned, my mind is fuzzy as far as remembering K. and R. on tv. Someone mentioned that their show Music, Music, Music, took place also in 1980...so, in 1970 I was 10. In 1980, I was 20. I hope to get more of what their is available as far as their shows on tape. But this forum is the only place where I can freely talk about how much I loved the Carps. and so, I have spent quite a bit so far on their music in just one yr....but that won't stop me...I will get hold of more of their taped performances eventually.... I just wanted to add too that I do remember where Karen sat on the edge of a piano, and sang "A Song For You". I'm not sure if I had heard that song up until then, but as she started out singing...and the part that says.."I've made some bad rhyme"...that really struck me as odd because every note I had ever heard from her was perfect!
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Post by Superstargal on Jul 16, 2004 17:52:02 GMT -5
Well, my fondest memories of The Carpenters was when I was about three and four years old. My morning's were spent in our den room perched on my mother's stationary bike, eating marshmallows from a cup, and listening to the 8-track of the "Close To You" album. Other times, I'd rock back and forth on my knees in the middle of the livingroom floor while listening to my parents' LP of "Now And Then." Back then, I called the album "Car Carpenter" because of the big red car on the front of the album.
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Post by cam83 on Jul 16, 2004 18:05:11 GMT -5
NOW AND THEN was such a nice album. Although I was not a fan of the cover pic of them. You can't even see Karen's face and it's painted. Although it is nice to open up the triple gatefold and see the Carpenter home in all its glory.
When I was 16, I bought the NOW AND THEN tape. I remember just loving it especially the Medley. I loved JOHNNY ANGEL, FUN FUN FUN and THE END OF THE WORLD. I was just so enamored by it. Her voice was pure honey!
My thoughts, Cameron
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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 16, 2004 18:23:03 GMT -5
Another fond memory was when my parents took me to Las Vegas to see the Carpenters perform. They were playing at the MGM Grand and the show was on December 29, 1977, that was the day of my 18th birthday. It was the best birthday gift I've ever received. The best part of the concert was when Karen did her drum solo, she was totally amazing. They also came out on stage on a motorcycle and did an oldies medley. The entire front row was occupied by fans from Japan. I will remember this always.
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Post by smoothie2 on Jul 16, 2004 22:54:58 GMT -5
???I really like this thread....each have their own memories...and some really great ones too... I went to Las Vegas in 1970 w/ my folks as we were on our big trip that summer and saw the Grand Canyon and saw Utah. Anyway, we stayed at a modest motel on the edge of what is now old town. We drove around some and walked around some. It was bright as day and it was close to midnight. Anyway, I would surely love to go back there. It has grown up quite a lot since then.Rick you are so very lucky as are the others to have seen Richard and Karen in person.! I'm sure I'd be so keyed up if that happened to me that I wouldn't be able to sleep a wink...! Anyway, these past few yrs. since I learned all about the internet and the many highways and byways of the electronic world, I'm now more of a C's fan than ever. I just re-discovered them all over again. There have been many songs and albums produced since I learned about this site and others. I have much more of their music. I have viewed pics. of them that I never saw before and learned oh so very much about them and their music ....thanks a lot to so many of you out there and to Rick for keeping it going too.
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