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Despite the Carpenters massive talent, Richard and Karen Carpenter didn't make it to the recording studios easily.
Although Karen enjoyed playing softball and suchlike, she didn't like gym. Richard found out that if a person was in the marching band, they could be excluded from physical education. Karen joined the marching band playing the glockenspiel, marching with the percussion line, where she was taken over by a love for the drums. After letting her folks know that she wanted to play drums (and being told that drums weren't really an instrument for a lady - which made her all the more determined) she eventually got a drum set and set about practicing.
In 1965 Karen joined the choir at school, not really showing any talent at that point, but as the time passed, Karen's drumming improved as did her singing, so much so that in 1966 she was signed a solo record deal with the Magic Lamp record label.
In 1966 Karen, Richard and a friend, Wes Jacobs, entered the 'Battle of the Bands' at the Hollywood Bowl. They played two tunes in the competition; The Girl from Ipanema and an original of Richard's, Iced Tea. They won the competition. Afterwards Richard is heading back towards the car when a man approaches him, who turns out to be Neely Plumb from RCA Victor records. They were signed up and cut some sides up at RCA in Sunset Boulevard which got turned down.
After this Richard and Karen gathered some more musicians to form another group, Summerchimes.
Joe Osborn said that Richard and Karen could use his studio, free, just to try out things. A demo tape was sent to Herb Alpert by Richard and Karen, who were now just called themselves, Carpenters, containing amongst other tracks, Don't Be Afraid.
Through a friend Karen and Richard made it onto a locally shown TV talent contest. As as result of that contest they got a call from John Bahler. He and his brother were big jingle singers. Karen and Richard were invited to join their group, The Going Thing, which promoted the Ford campaign on TV. Within days of signing that contract the A&M deal came through. Fortunately they were released from their contract so that they could sign up with A&M.
Compiled by Cath Allen
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Last changed: Wed Oct 24 10:35:34 EDT 2007
