BLOWN AWAY!!! KAREN CARPENTER DRUM SOLO - 1976 FIRST TELEVISION SPECIAL (REACTION)

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[@jojones1082]

What always strikes me when I watch her playing drums is the absolute joy that emulates from her while she's doing it. I truly believe that playing drums was her "happy place". She was such an extremely talented and gifted performer and I'm so glad that her music and videos are still around so that she can continue to inspire newer fans.

[@pauldourlet]

Saw Karen sing and drum in 1972 ,she glowed when she was at the drums.Watch her cover of Help in Japan .

[@jannea4318]

I think you mean "emanate". "Emulate" means something else.

[@tcat6133]

You can see the pure joy in her face as she drummed. Wished her life had more of it. She was an amazing vocalist and drummer!

[@brigid4815]

John Denver was holding the drum . Wow 🤩 love it. She was amazing

[@vincentschmitt7597]

Two legends

[@breckrichardson390]

And Lily Tomlin.

[@texasgirl6000]

This was probably on John Denvers show.

[@SayItAintSo4real]

@@texasgirl6000 It was the first Carpenters TV Special airing on ABC in 1976. The whole show is available on KZbin. John Denver was their guest and she and John sing a duet together. They also had another TV Special in 1977, then a Christmas Special in 1978 and then their last in 1980 called "Music, Music, Music".

[@arlaabrell8658]

Karen Carpenter was extremely talented. She was an excellent drummer, had an amazing voice and yet in her mother's eyes Richard was still "the apple". Sooo sad that anorexia finally killed her, she was never able to get over those personal feelings of "never good enough" which led to the horror of anorexia. Karen always considered herself a drummer who could sing rather than a singer who could play drums.

[@gailsmythe8476]

so sadly trure.

[@redcrabsc1149]

Yeah- Richard married his cousin- just saying. You're right, @Arla Abrell- he could do no wrong in his mother's eyes, and Karen always came up short. So sad... RIP Karen.

[@redcrabsc1149]

Edited to add- after this special, people were telling her mother how great Karen was; all she could say was," But wasn't Richard fantastic?" Not one word of praise for Karen. Breaks my heart.

[@rebeccagoodin6931]

most daughters never r good enough. Reason, in my opinion, Dads r hard on the boys. So mama feels compelled to be their cheerleader. Girls get married off like mama did in her youth. A man take care of. They'll survive like Mama did. Girls need be tough. Their daddy baby em too much as is. ....lol I'm 43yrs old and my son is 23. Got the sniffles and my Mama ran over house take care of. That same woman told me shake it off when school nurse called her that I had 102 fever at 10yrs old.

[@SayItAintSo4real]

@@rebeccagoodin6931 consider reading "Little Girl Blue, The Karen Carpenter Story". There was sooooo much more going on in that household than what's typical.

[@alanwhetstone3922]

Karen goes off on those drums and just look at her smile

[@scottchapin2323]

She was always at her happiest behind a kit, just look at that smile

[@Perfect_Blend]

YEAH, I knew you'd like this. ;) She payed quite a few songs when they did live concerts and she was just amazing. Singing and drumming like it was a breeze.

[@riko3766]

The story goes John Lennon once saw Karen in some restaurant in LA and told her that she had a fabulous voice. Afterwards she was saying that he couldn´t really mean it did he. Yes he certainly did mean it.

[@Matithyahu]

And without missing a beat she said, “Thanks John, but you ought to hear me play the drums.”

[@MAGIKMARTIAN9526]

HOLY SHIT IVE KNOWN OF HER SINCE I WAS A KID ,VOICE OF AN ANGEL BUT I DIDNT KNOW THIS

[@susanwillingham5770]

She always said she wasn't a singer who drums, she was a drummer who sings

[@Dansrgurl]

She was an absolute stellar drummer! She always considered herself a drummer who could sing. The joy on her face in this video says it all. She was radiant and completely in her element when she was drumming. Turns out she could also sing like a goddess while drumming which is rare. What a phenomenal talent taken waaaay too soon!

[@wendyt7958]

I remember watching this on tv as a kid. The guy with the drum in the beginning was John Denver

[@suedyment511]

She had so much Talent , she was the most happiest when playing the drums ♥️

[@frankmerris8821]

the drum playing is 2nd to her SMILE.this is when she was happy

[@rkellymiller]

Karen had chops. The GOAT, Mr. Buddy Rich, once said that Karen was his favorite drummer!

[@janicepopham2352]

I saw this on tv with my family when I was 15; we all noticed how incredibly happy Karen was during this set. Thanks for the memory!

[@francesrupinski6732]

She was phonenomal between her drumming and her beautiful voice

[@johnmccarthy568]

there will never be another karen, a real angel

[@ricknbacker5626]

Terrific reaction S & M. Karen was indeed in her element. Musicians are very comfortable playing their instruments and singing. Take the instrument away and it's a whole different ballgame. There is this almost naked feeling that overtakes you. Nowhere to hide, so too speak. Then there is the loss of being a part of the core line up of instruments that propel the band. You're now the face and voice of the band. Something you never prepared for ,or desired. Leaving her drum kit behind was much harder on Karen then most people could ever realize. It took her greatest joy in life and in my opinion, she never truly recovered. I am glad you two saw how happy Karen could be. Regards, RNB

[@SayItAintSo4real]

Yep. Totally agree. The one thing she loved most in the world, and made her feel "alive" was taken away from her. I highly recommend the biography "Little Girl Blue" by Randy Schmidt. It is one heck of an eye-opener. Even one of her closest friends, Olivia Newton-John, communicated with the author about some of the things Karen was going through. Karen & Olivia were very close friends. RIP now Olivia, along with Karen.

[@ricknbacker5626]

@@SayItAintSo4real Thanks SiAS, I most definitely will check out the biography. Cheers, RNB

[@michaeltveten8458]

Karen was a Gift.

[@nickrizzi4927]

Thank you for doing these KC clips. Love Her so much. Wish I could have saved Her to hear the brilliance for so much longer in time.

[@jollyj3285]

She was soooo talented and sadly didn't see in herself what we see...her story is so tragic....RIP sweet Karen...ps have you ever seen her looking happier? I juat love her joy when playing drums!!!

[@BethReed62]

I saw the Carpenters in concert when I was in 4th grade…a long time ago, around 1974. I was amazed that a girl could play the drums, and it was then I decided that was the instrument I would play in band. She was such a great talent and inspiration. I don’t know if she ever realized how much she was loved. Thank you for the reaction. ❤

[@shellygill5029]

Karen had the voice of an angel but was happiest when she was playing the drums.

[@gabrielofficial7859]

Yeah she rocks 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@carolhesterberg7526]

She was an award-winning drummer before she was a singer and she preferred doing that to being up front with a microphone. Fabulous technique!!! It gave her so much joy!

[@MaryEllen10862]

I listened to them back in the day a lot and the fact that they were brother and sister made them more special. Her voice was beautiful. It broke my heart when she passed away so young.

[@neillenet291]

Shawn and Mel, you're one of the most genuine and loving couples on KZbin. You deserve many more subscribers.

[@leetroy3129]

Her death at such an early age from anorexia increased awareness of that condition. Her death was not n vain. RIP Karen. ❤️

[@bbox5938]

Wow! Karen! Love you guys!!

[@clydeb7713]

I miss her SOO MUCH to this day! What a beautiful soul who suffered soo much pain inside 💔

[@zerores2005]

I think it's so cool that you guys can see the extreme talent. Thank you!

[@vincentschmitt7597]

Imagine trying to sing skillfully at the same time. Never judge a book by its cover.

[@chab1rd155]

God given talent! 💞

[@doplinger1]

We were so fortunate to grow up in a time when there were so many music & variety shows on! Even the regular comedy shows often had musical guests.

[@CB-gr1uk]

She was playing drums before she was singing. She always said she was happiest playing drums, she loved it. The first time they pulled her out front to sing, she was not happy.

[@sandrabutler8483]

I'm old enough too remember when karen passed away I think she was 32 at the time, but a lot of people including myself have said if she were allowed to stay and sing behind the drums she would probably still be alive

[@SayItAintSo4real]

Yep. I think that is very possible that she'd still be here. Eating Disorders are generally caused from feeling like you have no control over your own life. And she had very little. She almost died in 1975 from the weight loss. From 1965 through 1972 she had been the drummer for all of Richard's bands. By 1969 she had become the lead vocalist for "Carpenters", but she was still the drummer, too, 100% of the time. She's freaking amazing on the Bacharach Medley, Japan, 1972. Stunning! I think it's her very best "live" drumming/singing performance ever. Just outstanding! I also recommend "Help!", "Mr. Guder" (for the jazz drumming), and especially "Johnny B. Goode" for some rocking out on the kit, all being performed on their 1974 tour Budokan, Japan. By now though, 1974, she was "out front" for most all but a few songs for every concert. Her health bottomed out for the first time in 1975. Bless her. She was also actually quite shy so the drumkit was a form of security and protection for her. She learned how to wing it with her bashfulness but I can only imagine how hard that was to suddenly be thrust into the limelight and be considered "the leader" of the band. She never wanted that. But the crowds, the fans loved her. Anyway. Sorry. I've written a novelette. Ha! She's my idol. What can I say? Since 1970 and "Close To You". But her story is... wow. I love and admire her even more after reading that biography. 😉

[@ThereseMurphy-q3t]

Love your reactions - thank you! Lots of love for Karen Carpenter!

[@GonRogue-85]

That was quite a treat!

[@kimcutts6153]

Such a beautiful talented lady. RIP Karen ❤ 🥁🎤

[@cdfdesantis699]

She was always happiest playing her drums.

[@delisamarchetti5926]

Hi Shawn and Mel, wow that was fun! I saw that special back in the 1970's I remember it like yesterday because it was what inspired me to learn to play the drums! It was so true, girls were not given the chance to play drums or guitar for that matter. I think what I really got from rewatching this clip was what a fun girl she was. She was so young then and full of fun and life. Did you happen to catch who the man was that was carrying the drum in the marching band that she kissed? That was famous singer John Denver!

[@cathyhudnall6742]

I was/still am a huge Carpenters fan from the age of 9, I believe. When I was able to sign up for band, I ONLY wanted to play the drums. At my school anyway, they didn't allow females to play drums or ANY percussion instrument. Ended up playing clarinet/sax. Lol. But I was inspired to try. I would play Carpenters songs by ear (the melody) I, along with MANY others, was devastated when the news of her passing was aired. May she continue to R.I.P. between jam sessions. 👍❤

[@delisamarchetti5926]

@@cathyhudnall6742 Me too Cathy, I was just heartbroken when she died. I looked up to her so much. I was 13 in 1976 when this Carpenter's special came out. I thought she was so beautiful inside and out. They didn't allow drums to be played by girls in my school either. I brother played guitar, so they got me a little drum kit that I pounded away on.. On our anniversary last year my husband got me an electronic drum set! Boy am I rusty. Its fun though, you can put on your headphones and play along with the band. So I still sound good....in my imagination. I am sure my beats are all over the place. It's also not as easy as it used to be with arthritis :) But it feels good to keep on trying.

[@cathyhudnall6742]

@@delisamarchetti5926 yep, 1963 here too. Lol. That's awesome about the drum kit!

[@lindachambers3166]

I loved this, she looked so happy!

[@chriscraftguy]

Love watching you guys. Thanks for bringing back the joys of Karen Carpenter. Saw then in concert in '73. She was such a talent. She was at her best behind those drums.

[@PGHPensFan87]

I’m trying to learn the drums! It’s extremely hard! A lot more to it then one would think! Lot’s if coordination! Basically doing 4 things at once all while having the correct form. Btw I have that exact Golden Girls shirt! Rest In Peace to Karen Carpenter. I’ve been a fan of hers all my life.

[@mervinmannas7671]

When they were growing up it was Richard whos musical talent shone through first and their parents pushed him to fulfill his potential. Karen felt she had to work twice as hard to emulate that so when she too up the drums shpracticed all hours to be the best. Once the drummer of a very famour rock band dismiss that she could be that good. She then did drums for 3 of his own songs and he was silenced. It was ironic that it was Karen voice everyone feel in love with although Richard was the genius in terms of production and arrangment of their hits.

[@pattytyndall1021]

Shawn & Mel…I’m so glad you took my suggestion to react to Karen on the drums! Thank you🥁#RIPKaren

[@bocephus124]

She was more happier playing drums then being the singer

[@joemckinley754]

Karen considered herself a drummer who sang and not a singer who played drums. She was a gift.

[@stephaniemccarthy1676]

Wow Nellie. Loved watching her on talk shows,. Showing her talents. Look up old talk shows. Mel Griffin, Mike Douglas...etc...love this.

[@kellykonoske91]

She was so multi talented! Stlll sorry at her passing all these years later.

[@miltonslocum8957]

Shawn and Mel, so nice to see you enjoying the super talented Karen Carpenter! She was truly a remarkably talented artist! The Carpenters song We've Only Just Begun came out a few days after we got married. And we've loved them ever since. A couple of years later we saw them in concert and were blown away. It was our first time seeing Karen playing the drums. And as you noted, she was an excellent drummer and her voice was angelic! Great reaction guys are enjoyed your comments!

[@robertkees6048]

It's amazing to think how talented a drummer she was and most people don't even know she played the drums.

[@maryadcock1261]

Karen Carpenter is one of my favorites I always say she has a haunting voice I think it's because she passed so young. Amazing talent playing the drums and that voice of hers amazing. One of my favorite songs by The Carpenters is goodbye to love it kind of breaks your heart because she never found love in her life. She married but he turned out to be not so nice. She's singing with the angels and they have the best choir keep up the good work guys love you videos.

[@williamfisher8239]

Glad you got to see Karen loving this display of her first love. The drums. She truly was out if this world with talent and a blessed voice on top of her amazing musicianship. It's so sad that her own self esteem was so self deprecating despite being a one if kind beloved artist and person. Gone too soon and there is no one to fill her shoes in her artistry. Her voice and talents were just such a unique gift.

[@elizabethrichards9152]

Thank you for doing this wonderful review on Karen playing the drums. You can truly see the joy and happiness glowing from her.She was amazing and her mother Agnes didn't care about her only Richard her golden child. I would suggest The Carpenters cover of Mr Postman or her duet with Ella Fitzgerald Music Music Music.

[@deborahstrickland9845]

A talented, sweet soul.

[@johnbattles1002]

The man she was talking to in the high school marching band skit was none other than John Denver, another great legend.

[@danastearns7939]

before she was known, she had applied for a job as a backup drummer for The Wrecking Crew. The audition went well, and while kind of hanging out she started to sing along. The producer was amazed at her voice and well-her singing just kind over shadowed her drum talent, although she was happiest playing drums. It is said that the drummer for Led Zeplin once made a comment that she would not be able to cover his drums in any Zeplin song. So, she proceeded to do 3 in a row. in most of the studio recordings of their songs she played drums and sang. Yet, she was known as "one take Karen".

[@souljamom1]

She seemed the happiest behind the drums but fans wanted her out front when she sang. RIP Angel

[@mr.knowitall6440]

Yeah... and she can sing! 👍😎

[@randallshuck2976]

She always said she was a drummer who could also sing, but mainly a drummer.

[@Vikinggirl1679]

Thanks soooo much for doing that reaction. It's so nice to see her happy and smiling. Drums were her happy place and passion; lead singing not so much. She called herself a drummer that sang. Everyone forced her to come up front because of her beautiful voice. She hated it.

[@cliffordlowerre1381]

It makes me so happy to see her so happy.

[@johnsutton1172]

I was 8 when they hit. Ive known who they are and have listened off and on every since, but I never knew she could play like that. I knew she was a drummer, but I didnt know she was 1st class. Much respect and now i kinda miss her. More of a southern rock and heavy rock guy so i tend to go that route, but she deserves her place up there the really good ones. I remember when she passed and how. Very tragic. But as a fellow musician, shes got my respect

[@78yestor93]

Karen such a beautiful tone, her voice is magical, beautiful one of my top 3 female vocalists. A request for you , another one of my top 3 Annie Haslam lead singer of Renaissance the song 'Ashes are Burning' Live In Studio 1974. I heard that Karen was a fan of Annie.

[@nickmitchell6443]

You need to hear her sing, awesome 👌

[@TheGreatGig73]

Absolutely miss Karen

[@tomaroni6670]

The marching drummer was John Denver....."Class of 76"...

[@marcuswood5975]

She's so good her voice was so pure and so smooth people forgot about that she was a true musician she was a player not just a singer

[@ajruther67]

The guy she's talking to with the drum is John Denver in case you didn't recognize him

[@bertkilborne6464]

There was so much talent back in the last half or the 20th century that it was impossible to keep track of it all I'm just finding out how talented Karen Carpenter was because I was busy listening to Zappa and Santana and the American Blues Men. Too much TALENT

[@OldBoiler62]

I read where, in 1976, Playboy voted her the best rock drummer.

[@Triggerhippie70]

I did not know that Karen Carpenter play the drums like that!

[@Marcus-Oh-really-yes]

Did you recognize John Denver at the beginning, who was standing next to her in marching band ... and after getting smooched, he traded his drums for her glockenspiel? You should check out John Denver's songs "Annie's song" (beautiful ballad and there's a great live performance on the British TV show "Top of the Pops") and "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," which they have been playing during the seventh-inning stretch at Baltimore Orioles baseball games for decades.

[@dawnhall2400]

She was too good for this world. Truly an angel ❤ RIP

[@JohnDavidLove]

Wow wow wow!! How I miss Karen as well as John🙏. Great reaction video 🙏

[@jsamuelsen]

I audibly said whoh out loud and no one was around . More like whah! She is a beast on the drums!

[@jerickson725]

Yep, that's what we were telling you! She started playing drums, and then drums and singing, then they kind of forced her to just be the lead singer, out from behind the drums. That was not her comfort zone; she loved the drums first, but because of her voice and beauty, of course, everyone wanted her center stage. Great reaction, I'm glad you both got to witness it.

[@carollittle1059]

Brother and sister from Downey CA. their song, We've Only Just Begun was a bank tv commercial background music. I believe Burt Bacarach signed them.

[@michaeltipton5500]

This was back when they had their TV show. They seemed to have a lot of fun doing it.

[@barbsmith5465]

Karen loved the drums.

[@karencurtis4374]

She was an amazing drummer!!! Her real passion & love was playing the drums. Did you see her smile the whole performance?? Please listen to the song Superstar next RIP KAREN

[@realitycheck5376]

Karen described herself as a drummer who could sing. She preferred drumming over singing but the band felt it was more important that she be be the lead singer and I think we know why.

[@michaelengel3265]

believe it or not...when the group first started Karen didn't see herself as a "good" singer but her brother talked her into it and the rest they say is history...

[@realitycheck5376]

@@michaelengel3265 Yes, that's right. I forgot about that. 👍

[@lulutoyou2879]

I’m an old female percussionist..she banged out every section of drum dubbing..she is talented...no buddy rich..but what makes her above his talent? She can sing and play drums PERFECTLY ,at the same time!! I could never do that...my brain don’t work like that! She’s amazing..Roger Taylor of queen has that talent too, but whew...it’s a gift!

[@thomastimlin1724]

John Denver on the bass drum in the marching band, he was the guest star on the TV special.

[@suebeawho6537]

I still remember the day she died😭. I was just starting college and a nice girl in our dorm died of the same thing!! I was like what the he'll is anorexia?? 😢

[@jlyc1985]

Please react to Carpenters’ “Yesterday Once More.” I really think that you two would love the song. 🥰

[@debortahwelch9298]

She wanted to stay and play the drums for The Carpenters and sing but people were unable to see her so they made her come out behind the drums to sing.

[@StatsJedi]

That was John Denver who started the skit conversation with her.

[@mullins809]

Best drum solo I’ve ever seen❤

[@VikingMom1970]

That guy she was talking to in the marching band was John Denver!

[@primusmoss-ln6jc]

That was good for me! She was really something!!!

[@ricknbacker5626]

S & M, you are very welcome for the link. It was my pleasure. RNB

[@kierstenridgway4634]

That's John Denver on the Drum. I think. In the marching band

[@rcinsley]

Karen was a drummer who also sang. If they had left her behind a drum set, she'd probably still be alive today. She didn't want to be center stage in the spotlight...and it killed her.

[@SayItAintSo4real]

Sadly, I agree.

[@christinecorzo4238]

Karen once said in an interview that she never wanted to be the center of attention, she just wanted to play the drums. You can see how happy she in this video. And as far as the anorexia goes some music corporate guy told her she was too fat and to lose weight. I've seen so many videos and pictures of her she was never fat. So sad

[@williamsmith-kd4bd]

Not only is Karen playing drums in heaven, she also has someone to love her "for herself" and children of her own to shower with love! Those were her true dreams. RIP drummergirl

[@OHsopositive]

In a class all by herself!! 💫

[@GreenJack2002]

Wow!...this girl was really something😲😄