What's amazing is that Karen sang effortlessly while playing the drums and staying perfectly in rhythm.

Pure talent rip Karen Carpenter

She was such a doll. And look how happy she was at the kit. That impish smile just warms the heart. We would find out later that she was a dancer too. In those days entertainers were not a one trick pony.

Hey Jayskii, thanks for the reaction. The Carpenters were one of the most beloved musical acts of the 1970s. They were an extraordinarily talented duo who achieved many, many hit songs throughout the decade and earned multiple Grammy Awards for their work. Richard Carpenter was a gifted pianist, keyboardist, arranger, and songwriter who helped shape their signature sound, while Karen Carpenter possessed one of the most beautiful and distinctive voices in popular music and was also an outstanding drummer. Together, they created timeless music that continues to be cherished by fans around the world. Their talent, musicianship, and unforgettable songs made them one of the most successful and respected acts of their era. RIP Karen Carpenter!

So cool that you enjoyed this song and the incredible musical talent of The Carpenters - my generational group of the 70's and love/appreciate them even more so now !!!   Cheers to you !!!

The history of this song is interesting: Richard Carpenter and his friend and fellow songwriter John Bettis worked for a season at Disneyland's "Coke Corner" where they were hired to play turn-of-the-century music, but Richard and John would often play more modern songs. Their boss, Victor Guder, would reprimand them for this as it didn't fit the "Coke Corner" environment. They were eventually fired (according to Richard) or not rehired (according to Victor Guder) for this insubordination. Richard and John wrote the song "Mr. Guder" as their musical "revenge" on Victor Guder, but Richard would later say he regretted doing so as Victor Guder was just doing his job. When Victor Guder was asked if he was mad about the song he said no, after all how many people have a Carpenters song written about them?

The guy on the flute is Bob Messenger...a studio musician, and a great tenor saxophone player also. He was with the Carpenters for quite a few years.

Thank you for your reaction to this Carpenters song.  Yes, they were all amazing!  And what more could be said about Karen?

Thank you for reacting to this legendary Brother/Sister duo. Karen’s gorgeous voice and amazing drumming and Richard’s stunning songwriting, song choices and arrangements, piano and other instrumental. They were both musical geniuses.

Bill Douglass was a highly respected professional jazz drummer and instructor who played with legends like Benny Goodman and Art Tatum. He is best known in music history as the drum teacher and mentor who refined the skills of a young Karen Carpenter.The ConnectionMentorship: Douglass taught Karen at Drum City. He helped transition her from a self-taught high school player into a virtuoso capable of effortlessly navigating complex time signatures (like Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” in 5/4).Jazz Roots: Because of Douglass's influence, Karen's drumming was heavily rooted in big-band and traditional jazz. She was praised by drum icons like Buddy Rich for her crisp rudiments, immaculate stick control, and "old-school" grip.

"Mr. Guder"' is a classic antiestablishment song by the Carpenters, featured on their 1970 album Close to You. Written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, the track was a playful jab at their former boss at Disneyland, Vic Guder, who had fired them for playing contemporary music instead of the required early-1900s American standards.

♥️🎶🎼🎵🎤🎸🎧🥁🎹🎻🎺♥️

Hi Jayskii!
In the first Carpenters video many mentioned Karen’s drumming skillz. She was fire! Today we are blessed with numerous female drummers and some sing also simultaneously (Pau from The Warning is one!). Back then it was Karen Carpenter and very few others. There were men who did both but no one at the level of Karen for skills and vocals. That was Bob Messenger on the electric flute. He was a member of the Carpenters band from the beginning to the end. He was a triple threat! Bass guitar, flute and saxophone. He will show up in many videos playing one of those instruments. I see Richard D. has filled you in on the history of this song. In concerts Karen always played drums on this song. Their regular drummer Cubby O’Brien played bongos usually then sometimes joined in at the end of a Karen solo for some double drumming excitement. Next up will be their first monster hit that established them. Can’t wait for you to see that.
Joe