Amazing Karen Carpenter drums/drumming solo reaction

[@keithalanbaker535]

Everyone who has reacted to this video says the exact same thing the fact that she looks so happy when playing the drums.

[@losmosquitos1108]

Exactly that was her fate. She didn‘t like it at all being the front woman! In fact sometimes she hated it and so her eating disorder could have started… 😢

[@thomastimlin1724]

John Denver was the guest on this TV special. Karen WAS a jazz drummer. Buddy Rich once complimented her ability, and that says a hell of a lot.

[@roymoore3156]

No Shiite! I consider Buddy Rich being one of the top few drummers of all time, and even in the early 70’s Buddy was considered one of the worlds greatest drummers/musicians. Great call!!

[@michaelshafer5192]

This is the happiest you'll ever see Karen performing.

[@kens32052]

She always has a big smile on her face when she plays the drums.

[@donaldleider7382]

Most people would love to have 1/1000th of the talent Karen Carpenter had!

[@davidperlowski1477]

The most important part of this video is not her skills at drumming, amazing as they are. It's the pure smile of joy on her face as she played. You won't find that in any video of her singing. If only we could have recognized that, we might have enjoyed another 40 years of her amazing talent. But we failed her.

[@alanwhetstone3922]

The smile on her face

[@bruschmidt9943]

& performed effortlessly

[@carolhesterberg7526]

You're correct. She was an award-winning JAZZ drummer before she became a singer.

[@sherrygreiner5037]

She had it all but when they made her just sing, her happiness left her. I love her drum solo as well as all her songs. Big thanks to Richard who wrote most of her songs.

[@270yis7]

Karen Carpenter was an extraordinary talent who deserved to be more greatly appreciated.

[@ericbatemanrodgers]

Karen was a reluctant singer to start with all she ever wanted to do was play the drums

[@barbarapoirier8835]

Writing from experience , thank you for clearly stating she was an amazing drummer, NOT a female drummer. I am a drummer/percussionist as well. I really appreciated it when someone paid me that compliment without saying A “female” drummer. I appreciated all kind words, but really liked to be noted as a good drummer. Karen was amazing. I really looked up to her and was so saddened when she passed away.

[@ChuckHackney]

Her expression here is one of pure joy. Could it be possible that she loved playing drums more than singing? I wonder..

[@carolhesterberg7526]

She definitely preferred drumming to singing!! You can see it on her face.

[@debbiechang5781]

She always thought of herself as a drummer who “happened to sing”, as if her beautiful voice was the side show instead of the feature!

[@richardea4223]

She had always put others before her and discounted her amazing talents. Quite sad, really 😥

[@pushpak]

I'm a drummer who sings - Karen Carpenter

[@4444kermit]

I believe her talent, good nature, voice and story lends one to fall in love with Karen. She brought and still brings such joy to all. While sad that we lost her I am more grateful for having the opportunity to have known her. My hope is that some young person finds her and is inspired to continue the dream that is Karen. Perhaps that young person is watching now. Thanks

[@deannebenkert6700]

Great reaction, Playboy magazine named her rock drummer of the year in 1975! The Carpenters started as a jazz trio - the Richard Carpenter Trio. When she was 16 & Richard was 20 they won the Hollywood Bowl Battle of the Bands. Check out that video

[@garyarnett1220]

From a Carpenters TV special, John Denver was one of the guests.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

And one of the greats.

[@HarriBestReactions]

I was trying to remember his name..Reaction due 😀

[@aviatom1]

Karen was such an incredible talent. So sad we lost her so young. 😔

[@charlesbunch8383]

What an amazing drummer - and singer. I agree, she has those jazz chops.

[@RockL.Lorraine]

She always had the biggest smile on her face when she was playing drums.

[@rayharley597]

The only time I ever saw her and thought she was happy was when she was at those drums; that's where her heart and soul were I believe. kerk

[@bdheine2300]

She was a national treasure.

[@beckiegeorge2338]

I read somewhere that she loved drums and wanted to play them more than sing. I am happy she did both and we got to see it.

[@stevensparfven]

Extraordinary talent vocally and musically. She is my favorite artist of all time. Perhaps you could react to the live video from 1971 of Superstar. It was from a BBC special, and Karen sounds incredible!

[@amyk9175]

Yes, John Denver was an outstanding singer/ songwriter and often appeared on shows and specials like The Muppets. Please react to him more soon.

[@cathyortiz1280]

In the movie "God" w George Burns.

[@igor1069]

he was a pretty good actor too. Loved him in Oh God w/ George Burns

[@cathyortiz1280]

@@igor1069Yes, I agree. I loved that movie!

[@loric4423]

I wish Karen could have seen herself the way the world did!

[@jokerswildio]

I just found out earlier today that Karen played drums too. I play drums and its a passion; I was amazed that her drumming capability matches her Angelic voice!! Man....what a talent!! Love ur Chanel bro...

[@cd72]

She started out as a jazz drummer, she, her brother and Wes Jacobs won the Hollywood Battle of the Band in 1966....

[@chrisandersen5635]

And she did not sing a note!!

[@gabrielofficial7859]

Thank you for reacting to them

[@agnetamalmqvist9075]

She was a fantastic drummer!!!

[@mikemiller3069]

There is another Karen Carpenter drum solo. In the beginning of the video, Richard introduces her and she comes out wearing a shirt that says "Lead Sister" and she proceeds to kill it on drums and percussion. I think it is a little longer than this video and doesn't have any camera tricks. It's really fun and worth checking it out as well.

[@janicejanostak2545]

I've seen that video as well and I think it gives an even better idea of her prowess without all the camera trickery.

[@williambanks2223]

I love watching that video, too. To watch her having fun on the drums and seeing how relaxed she is makes it worthwhile. Also watching Cubby O'Brien, excellent drummer and former musketeer, try to keep up with her.

[@andythrush3341]

Hari, glad you went here! This is by far the best of Karen Carpenter. Look how happy she looks! If she would have been encouraged to keep playing maybe their music would have been a little more up to date and perhaps her life would have taken a different direction? This is just a sweet sweet video. That's John Denver early on. Maybe from his show?

[@SeaMonster111]

You are correct. She was a jazz drummer before she was a singer.

[@t.r.1708]

Thank you! Great reaction! Your soft voice and kind words speak truth! If you haven’t already heard, (I will double check) their Burt Bacharach medley, it spotlights her jazz roots even more so! -Terry, Canoga Park

[@johnb.2518]

Hari - she took some drum lessons from a friend and then a professional - but mostly she learned by playing along with jazz records in the family music library - one of her favorites was Joe Morello of The Dave Brubeck Quartet, one of the best and most creative drummers of his era...and yes, she loved drumming with a passion - pure joy is written all over her face...

[@dennislalka7965]

Multi talented that was the one and only Karen Carpenter!

[@misacastillo2010]

Please react Karen Carpenter drums solo in live. Is great 🤩

[@grapplergirl10]

I love seeing her happy ❤️

[@juancarlosgonzalezmartinez8793]

John Denver.... He sang "Perhaps Love"

[@davidmazon7516]

She is one-of-a-kind then and now.

[@amer-hh6kp]

I totally agree with you. She does look very happy playing. Such a sad thing that she felt so little about herself. It's hard to imagine or describe. Loved her.

[@chipurBillWhite]

I still love her. So cool. Thank you...

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Harri you so completely and utterly ROCK. Keep up the good work!

[@HarriBestReactions]

Thanx Souris 😀

[@ChuckHackney]

Just makes it all the more tragic that a talent and angel comes around once in your lifetime...if you're lucky. Thank you God for Karen and letting me be alive during her time. Another blessing you gave and bestowed on me. And Karen what can I say but the finest female vocalist of all time.

[@pauldourlet]

Saw her in 1972 ----one of the best drummer/singers ever .Sheila E. saw Karen play drums and thought ,yeah I can do that -that was in 1968-check out Carpenters Dancing in the Streets 1968

[@johndavidson5228]

Great reaction. Thanks.

[@ChuckHackney]

God rarely blesses us with talent of this calibre. For me, Karen is a once in a lifetime experience. Period. End of story.

[@joelpeters7698]

You hit it on the head. She joined Richards jazz group and they entered a battle of the bands and won as a jazz group. before they got their first record deal.

[@tammielongino7485]

She is the top 10 women drummer in the world.

[@SWTSU]

Great find and review as always Harri!!!! Austin Tx loves you man!!!!! Keep on keeping on!!!🥳😎🍸

[@marlarogers9304]

John Denver, was also a conservationist. Check out Rocky Mountain High! Country Roads Wild Montana Skies Calypso

[@frankscarborough1428]

She loved to drum and was a great singer

[@actormanic]

Hal Blaine played most of the drums on their records. Karen could play drums (very well), but her focus was on vocals. Hal was a master, and probably played on more records than any other drummer.

[@tombrearton3435]

Karen played the drums on all but one song ( *Jambalaya* ) on their album *Now & Then* - kzbin.info/aero/OLAK5uy_n4LvWPTGsGvnW56d-E7NJE8yAFnSWWeIA

[@jimgreen5788]

Harri, the first song, played by the band, is "Stars and Stripes Forever" one of many American marches written by composer John Phillip Sousa of 100-plus years ago, and our most prolific march composer. Although she was first known as an amazing singer (perfect pitch with a 3-octave range), her first love was drumming.

[@jojones1082]

Well, she really wasn't what we would call "fit" nowadays. She suffered from anorexia and, sadly, that is what caused her untimely death. You could see the pure glee that she has on her face when she was playing the drums. If I remember correctly, Herb Albert had to really coax her to come out from behind the drums and be "front and center" for the audience. She really was in her element playing the drums, and the fact that she had one of the absolute best voices of her generation - or any other for that matter - makes the loss of her life at such a young age that much more tragic.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

She had one of the pop music voices of all time.

[@jamesscarselletta3446]

Karen could give many drummers a run for their money !

[@michaelmolloy6697]

Please react to This Masquerade by Carpenters thx

[@carolhesterberg7526]

That is a great song!

[@davidleland8729]

Yes, that was John Denver

[@joele.campbell1532]

I appreciate your eye and ear for outstanding talent, thank you for sharing this video which I never knew existed. I dare say with the musical acumen she possesses that any instrument she tries she’d be at least very good. Great point about her absolute joy doing that which was never seen to that degree in her singing. Thank you for sharing !! 👍🏻

[@andrewclayton4181]

John Denver was the guy with the drum. Wrote Annies song. Leaving on a jet plane. Take me home country roads and loads of others. Talented guy.

[@ChuckHackney]

Millions, heck billions.

[@LoisChisholm]

she never looked happier

[@stephenpriola4301]

It’s really sad and she died from anorexia, before it was even acknowledged as a disease, very sad a lot of people passed because they were not diagnosed yet with these young diseases like anorexia like bipolar.. love it a reactions!!!!! And a bassist musician, much appreciated !!!!

[@dorieann64]

They started out as a 3 piece jazz combo. Someone asked if they had a singer. No? What about her? Well, let's give it a try.

[@renee176]

If you see the documentary on the Carpenters her brother says that she never wanted to be a singer or out front. Karen just wanted to be in the background playing her drums. But to the nature of the business she was called to be out front from her management and the public. I'm happy that she shared such a naturally beautiful voice with the world. But it makes you wonder if she could have abeen in the background happily playing her drums would she still be with us today.

[@matrox]

She listed as one of the top 10 female drummers back in the day buy some music magazine years ago.

[@martyemmons1859]

Two of the videos that she plays the drums on are "Mr. Guder" and "Love Is Surrender".

[@carolhesterberg7526]

I often wonder if she would have developed her eating disorder if they had let her remain behind the drums instead of bringing her out front where people could criticize her hourglass (normal with hips) figure. She was so happy and comfortable while drumming. And she was SO good at it!

[@tammielongino7485]

That is her element. I am so glad you got to hear that . She has a Christmas solo drum set. She was a big lose. R.I.P Karen.

[@boosuedon]

She just LOVED playing them cans! Singing paid the bills, but, there was something about the drums that she really loved! Fact is, it took a lot of coaxing from her brother to sing ONE SONG which started a domino effect.

[@alfredgeorge317]

In 1975 Playboy Magazine readers poll selected Karen Carpenter as Best Rock Drummer of the year. She had been up against other drummers such as Mick Fleetwood, Rngo Starr, Keith Moon, and John Bonham. It was only John Bonham that would complain.....but....as what was later said "John Bonhams drum kit had more dust on it, than a crypt..." Led Zepplin had not toured in 1974.

[@jamesbondbond8388]

Your smile !!

[@bobtedeman5975]

wow. i remember this as a kid whoa

[@StudeSteve62]

Ah cool, Harri, you went here, instead of to another hit Carpenters single, second time out reacting to Carpenters. (I didn't jump the gun subbing, clearly!) This video is from one of the ABC TV Carpenters specials, and you'll notice the drums keep going between Karen's solo bits; a second drummer is present, but only to fill in the gaps in the arrangement while Karen is tearing around the stage... Right again regarding jazz. She started there. Audio of the Dick Carpenter Trio's recording of "Iced Tea" from 1966 is available online; it showcases Karen, aged sixteen at the time, playing flat out jazz drums, and also Richard on keys and Wes Jacobs on tuba bass... Also second the recommendation of the Walter Reed Hospital live performance of the Bacharach medley for the vets. That, probably more than any other video, shows Karen the drummer as she really was...

[@Cloxxki]

First ever loop machine drum video artist.

[@stephenqualtrough7322]

It was John Denver in the clip who did Annie's Song. The tune Karen is drumming to is Strike Up the Band. and a bit of Fascinatig Rythm both by George Gershwin. Not bad tunes considering they are around the 100 year old mark category. I really enjoyed this one. Great reaction Harri

[@pauldourlet]

Check out Karen Carpenter kick-ass drummer on you tube

[@libation2473]

Buddy Rich was one of Karen's influences.

[@salicemccool9186]

John Denver was probably best known for “Rocky Mountain High,” my favorite of his songs. (His “Leaving On a Jet Plane” was first recorded by Peter, Paul & Mary, and was their only #1 hit.) My friends & I spazzed out over him big-time in high school. After one of his concerts, I was thrilled when I got a roadie to fetch me the paper Pepsi cup he’d been drinking - water - from!

[@mikeplott4817]

Leaving on a jet plane, John Denver 🙏👍

[@lesliesylvan]

Ms.. Carpenter [correction/It was Marie Osmond : I get the two mixed up, at times] is/was an excellent actor, as well. I saw her on Broadway's "King & I," with Yule Brenner, as the King of SIAM.

[@Perfect_Blend]

I think you're thinking of someone else...that was not Karen Carpenter.

[@lesliesylvan]

@@Perfect_Blend Rights. It was Marie Osmond. I often get the two mixed up. TY

[@Cloxxki]

Phil Collins : "I wish I could sing like that." Also Phil Collins : "I wish I could play drums like that."

[@artistbrindle]

Try to catch some of her early live concerts, where she played drums during most of the performances. There are some really incredible ones like their song “Mr. Guder” live in Belgium. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6jYqH-nabKGerc Also “Runaway” towards the end of the clip (16:00) here. She looked her absolute best here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGqYXq2jhdeKa7s

[@brianorzel1873]

John Denver was on the bass drum.

[@danpals7678]

Only the good die young. I miss her .

[@lesliesylvan]

Beloved by all, John Denver; just a joy to be among his aura. Check him out in Comedy with Legend George Burns playing God in "Oh God." Surprisingly good and poignant ~

[@melissabrooke1146]

I thought that was John Denver too. Wow for the drums!!

[@richardea4223]

Karen Carpenter is the greatest vocalist as well as the greatest drummer in the history of music, period!💙 They should have never taken away the drums from her. A big mistake! She went down hill after they took her drums away. 😥

[@davidhohn9106]

LOL! The guy that said, 'That's German for stinky, stupid.', was John Denver. His birth name was John Henry Deutschendorf. Very German. ;)

[@jazzmaan707]

Yes, she did remind me of Buddy Rich showboating on the drums. Karen always said she was a, "drummer who could sing." She was on loan to us from God. RIP Karen.

[@bettyjones3317]

She wasn't happy singing, but she did it to make Richard happy.

[@ALong-fo5so]

The Carpenters were jazz musicians before going pop. Yep they were more than competent in their instruments.

[@demeemiller347]

I think when "the astablisment pulled her from her drums and brought her front and center is where her sadness started. She WAS A DRUMMER!

[@pauliosantos6379]

She was so talented, but she was Absolutely gorgeous too. . . :( bloody sad, my father laughed when i said i bought a few original LP's of the carpenters, until I pointed out, yes it was that "happy happy, crappy" style of music, but her voice was absolutely AMAZING, she was pretty too...AND AN ACTUAL MUSICIAN, I guess it is partly the fact that she was so attractive that makes it even sadder, she didn't see any of it, ANY OF IT didn't even really think she was that great at drumming, and then you watch her, listen to her, and then her voice as well.... sad, real sad

[@barbsmith5465]

She always said she was a drummer that happens to sing. It is so sad. I miss her terribly.

[@fairenough7984]

So happy you did see this video. One documentary implied that she was unhappy because she was 'made' to sing and dress in a rather puritanical, 'good girl' way, when what she wanted more was to play the drums. That was also largely blamed on her brother, but I have seen.more recent documentary and I dont think Richard was forcing her, maybe the label cimpany. Hard to say, but I think her brother got a bad rap for being a part of what drove her anorexia. Regardless, her passing was a great loss to the listening world.

[@bobdelp2023]

HERE'S SOME: SOLITAIRE, THIS MASQUERADE, TOP OF THE WORLD, WELL THERE'S A FEW ANYWAY HARRI 😊

[@gabrielofficial7859]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@dennisnelson2609]

They say Executive wanted out her out front of the drums.