You Can't Have 1970's Music Without Karen Carpenter of The Carpenters

 

Can you multitask? With the rise of technology, the younger generation, 'Generation Z' as they are referred to, practically grows up juggling more than two tasks at once. Watching a YouTube video while simultaneously listening to music, eating, and flying through their homework is a common sight. This is a great skill set to have, and a great skill set Karen Carpenter, the singer and drummer, had, that fueled her rise to stardom.

Karen Carpenter’s Childhood

Growing up, Karen Carpenter's childhood was filled with music and family. She was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in the United States. Her older brother, Richard, taught her how to play the drums, one of the two skill sets that made Karen stand out among other musicians of her time.

The other half of her skill set was singing. Karen was gifted with a natural talent for singing, honed by singing along to music she loved while growing up, music like that of Les Paul and Mary Ford, a duo that went on to inspire the creation and sound of Karen and her brother’s very own band. Karen also had the rare ability to transition from that more typical female register to a much lower range. Her voice was often described as ‘angelic,’ and her wide vocal range added a rare uniqueness to her singing.

After moving to Downey, California, at the age of 13 with her family, she settled and studied the drums throughout high school and joined the Long Beach Choir after graduating. Throughout her youth, her parents were always supportive of her passion for music and encouraged her to pursue her dreams.

“As a child, I dreamed of sharing my love for music with the world. I imagined performing on stage in front of adoring fans,” was AI Karen’s response to a question asking her to go in-depth about her dreams as a child.

When asked about the instruments she played, AI Karen answered, “I primarily played the drums but also sang. (...) Playing the drums and singing allowed me to express myself in different ways."

Playing the drums requires complete control of each limb, often having to maintain different patterns and rhythms at the same time to play a simple beat. It demands a lot of focus and effort. Techniques are important when it comes to drumming too. Without practicing and perfecting proper technique, drumming will lack control, precision, dynamics, and fluidity, making it hard for the drummer to express oneself and, quite frankly, sound horrible and stiff.

Not to mention, singing alone requires exceptional focus for breath control, note sustaining, and recalling lyrics and melody. Singing while simultaneously playing the drums requires talent and a great amount of practice. This is why Karen Carpenter remains a legendary drummer and singer to this day.

When asked about the difficulties of juggling playing the drums and singing at the same time, AI Karen replied, "Oh, it definitely has its challenges! It requires a lot of coordination and concentration.”

Although Karen may have said it was challenging, her live performances were flawless. The restored recordings of The Carpenters’ live performances prove her skills and talent were unmatched.

The Talented Singer/Drummer, Karen Carpenter’s Tragic End

Unfortunately, playing the drums and singing simultaneously weren't the only things she had to juggle. After her rise to fame as a member of the famous band duo, The Carpenters, she struggled with balancing her career and her well-being. This struggle ultimately led to the tragic loss of the iconic and loved musician, Karen Carpenter.

At the age of 32, due to complications related to anorexia nervosa, a disorder she had battled for eight years, she died, leaving behind a legacy of her talents and a story that serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing and juggling things in life, whether that be a career, health, stress, and so on.

The loss of her life was tragic for her family and fans. However, AI Karen, on her story, stated positively, “I'm grateful for the opportunity to have shared my gift of music with the world and a legacy that continues to inspire and uplift others to this day.”

After her death, many conversations about mental health, which had been heavily stigmatized back then, were started. Through her resilience during her short time on earth, she not only left behind a legacy that continues to inspire, she sparked a much-needed debate on mental health and the unhealthy amounts of pressure those in the entertainment industry faced.