Yes, according to her own words, she was a drummer who sang...

As you could clearly see, Karen was happiest when she was playing the drums. She considered herself a drummer first and foremost. Most anyone serious about the art of percussion and drumming will bow to the great Buddy Rich as THE ONE. I can testify, as I saw him live in the summer of '76 in Kansas City. I was not even 30 feet away. It was insane! He didn't give praise to very many other musicians, but he was a legitimate fan of Karen's drumming. Her technique and feel for percussion and how it could fit in any song or arrangement was fabulous. A true musician. Add that to her incomparable voice that made everything she sang beautiful and, well... now you know why tears easily flow from my eyes when I talk about her. The loss is incalculable. The Carpenters were signed to A&M records and the great trumpet player and record producer Herb Alpert (the A of A&M) still finds it hard to talk about her. One in a lifetime talent. Think of all of the gorgeous recordings we would have in a catalog of hers through the years. RIP, Karen. Peace to you, brother.

In case you didn't notice, that was John Denver playing the bass drum.

Karen joined band to get out of gym class, she'd have played baseball but back then we girls were left out of most sports. She actually thought of herself as a drummer who sang and when she died in 1983 we were shocked, stunned, and deeply grieved by our and the world's loss. Her brother took it so hard I was sure he'd disappear from music altogether. We didn't umderstand anorexia then and even though we watched her practically disappear before our eyes we never thought she, such a young woman, would die because of it. Her family, however, knew different and were desperately trying to get her to seek help. Oh how we got excited in the 70's when a new album was announced and their show was greedily watched every week. Her star went out nearly 37 years ago but the light from it still shines ...

This was from her Carpenter's tv special in '76, and btw, that was John Denver she "took" the drum from 😁

How in the hell am I just now finding out Karen Carpenter was one of the best and baddest drummers ever! I guess better late than never!! Wow

A star that burns twice as bright, burns half as long.

Watchin this one made me cry. Even here she was so very frail. She'll never know how many hearts shattered when we lost her and how many still weep. She glowed and we watched and we loved and then we mourned.

I appreciate you showcasing her, I thought she had been forgotten, thank you

She was extraordinary and a voice that would melt any heart.

Buddy Rich said that Karen was "the real deal" when it came to being a drummer!

Your appreciation of her is so heartfelt.

She was something magical. Her brother was no slouch either. The dynamic duo of the 70’s.

YES this was real, they had to convince her to stop drumming and sing.

I was devestated when she died. Look at her life story. Truely a great drummer.

The world truly lost something when she died. Still one of my favorite artists today.

It's obvious drumming was her passion.

She was an amazing artist. Her Christmas album is played every Christmas morning at our house....and will be played as long as I live. If you get one CD, album, whatever, get that one. The best Christmas album ever made.

I remember the sadness everyone felt when we heard she died... It was such a shock, at least the world knew how talented she truly was.

I'm so happy you love Karen. She was one-of-a-kind

She was so talented. Gone too soon.

Karen was so unappreciated in her time. Seems people are just now catching up with her.

Buddy Rich said .. I am te greatest MALE drummer in history but then there is Karen Carpenter.

I love watching your face. You show true appreciation for talent. I was lucky enough to see Karen perform this in the mid 70s in Toronto. It was amazing! She did most of the drumming on The Carpenters' first couple of albums. She was a true talent and sorely missed. Oh and btw, she also played the bass.

Told you she was a beast on the drums !! So much talent -- she was incredible

Karen's talent as a musician was incredible, especially considering the time she lived. Will miss her always.

That's incredible! I had no idea. She's brilliant and plays with effortless abandon! I'm amazed. I've played drums for years and wow, she just makes it look so easy. It's not.

If they had just let her stay back behind her kit who knows how it would have gone? That voice was from heaven. I cried when she passed.

We still miss Karen.

I remember this performance from the 70s on her television special with John Denver. Did you notice she holds the drumsticks correctly? Just like Buddy Rich. So sad she died so early in life.

My first concert experience was Carpenters. I clearly remember her singing in that perfectly smooth voice while simultaneously playing the hell out of a drum kit that virtually surrounded her. Her death was devastating. Thank you for honoring her here. ❤️

Thank you so very much for being willing to step back in time and listen to the greats who are being forgotten. You are doing such a service to today's Young folks. I teach nursing to very young nursing students. When we talk about eating disorders, I go to Karen...the students have never heard of her. So I go and pull up these old U tubes because I don't want people like Karen Carpenter to be forgotten. You and your show warms my heart. Thank you so much Jamel. Thank you.

She wasn't just a loss for us growing up in that era but also a loss for later generations. Just imagine the great music she and Richard would have had if they'd continued.

I was in high school when she died. Everyone including our teachers were just devestated! She was such a beautiful person and her talents were off the chart. I'm so happy you're getting a chance to enjoy her talents ❤️ Rest in peace Karen!

She was also known for recording in one take and rarely needed a second take, which also includes her singing tracks. Amazing musician and singer

Anyone who played for The Carpenters was required to play at least three instruments. That’s the level of perfection they required.

She loved the drums more than singing. Her health problem started when they made her stop playing drums and sing out in front.

I LOVED JOHN DENVER when I was little. and YES ITS A TRUE STORY, she could play many instruments. including piano.

She was an award-winning drummer before she started singing. She LOVED it and always considered herself a drummer first and a singer second.

Jamel - Thank you for this great video. While I grew up listening to her music, I never realized how phenomenal a drummer she was until after she left us. If only...

Gave me chills! I have heard everything they recorded! I was a child when she died. I went on to work with many with her disorder, it’s very difficult to overcome and back then it was virtually untreated. Such a great loss 🥺

The looks on your face through this are priceless! Welcome to the greatness that was Karen Carpenter!

What a beautiful soul she is! Karen possessed a hauntingly beautiful voice that makes me smile and captivates your attention whenever you hear her sing. Another person here said it most accurately “The world died a little, the day Karen Carpenter died” I remember when I heard the news I was a young school kid but Even I knew who she was and was sad that someone of so much talent and specialness was gone. The Carpenters were special and their music was more than nice songs it also made you feel good. That’s a lot. What made The Carpenters so special was Karen’s unique and captivating voice. The drumming was her mainstay, I have heard her on multiple occasions call herself “A drummer who sings” Karen was always humble and a little subdued about herself and her talents and achievements. She is a tremendous talent that will be missed for all time, it does not matter whenever one of their songs come on the radio you always recognize it immediately because of her hauntingly distinctive voice.

An amazing drummer with the voice of an angel❤️

I always loved her voice! But her drumming was out of this world !

This is pretty cool to relive through your eyes. She was a masterful musician. Thanks.

Sadness can kill. She just wanted love.

She was so so happy with the drums. Coming out from behind them may have been the beginning of the end. But that voice.....carries me.

I got to see her do this live in concert in Toronto. Even better in person. Yes she joined the band to get out of gym and was given the glockenspiel to play originally. You wanna see Karen really play the drums. On the link below starting around the 3:00 minute mark she starts but by the end the woman is beyond amazing. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hK1mrLSBybDGoKc.html

It breaks my heart to see how happy she was when she was playing the drums and think that they made her just do vocals.

I was 8 when she passed but was a big fan. I will always love her and her pitch-perfect, smoother than silk voice. Her talent will go unmatched for eternity.

She sang and she had an incredible voice and her brother plays the piano just as good as she plays the drums

Now that is talent! One of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life! My favorite part of it all was seeing the joy radiating from her face. This woman didn't play music, she WAS MUSIC!

Whoa! I grew up on the carpenters. Was 12 yrs old when Close To You came out. Loved them. But I had no idea that she had this crazy talent. I'm just as surprised as you.

Dude.. I grew up with the carpenters.. she was so good, both on drums and singing it was amazing...

Watching her sing and play brings sheer joy. Glad you appreciate her, Jamel.

Karen was incredible. Her voice relaxes me even to this day. She was so very talented ❤️😍

I'm a Karen Carpenter fan myself, her voice is outstanding....But you need to check out a singer by name of Eva Cassidy...She just blows my mind...She sang a duet with Chuck Brown....You won't be disappointed..

I met a lady drummer in a music store in Los Angeles. She told me, Karen had been one of her students.

If you grew up in the 70s, the Carpenters were part of your life. Her voice reached Into your soul, there has never been anyone like her.

She should be noticed for her drumming as well as singing. I wonder, she should have played the drums more. Maybe she would have been happier. Very talented.

When musicians were real musicians...

John Denver and Karen were both amazing and an incredible loss 😁💔

Hard to see her so happy and switched on, naturally. And yet such a joy. Karen went through hell, and lost her life because of it. She was definitely one of a kind, a supernatural talent, multi-instrumentalist, brilliant vocalist, and forward thinking person. RIP girl, so lucky to have your recordings.

Thanks, Jamal for appreciating on of the older generation’s musicians. She was something else and I sure miss hearing her voice.

I still believe she had the most soothing voice I have ever heard! Then you add her drumming skills makes her one the most perfect musician ever!

Watching your reaction made me appreciate her all over again. You're a cool person. She paved the way for female drummers....even though it still took forever. Thanks for the video.

My mom used to listen to Karen when i was growing up. I never knew she was the one behind the drumset until years later. Some people get it and some people are just born with it. Her death was a real tragedy and it just goes to show that those of us who shine the brightest seem to burn the brightest too and those flames far to quickly burn out. There will never be another like her. Rip Karen.

I remember seeing this when it aired. I loved them so much. Their music was the soundtrack to my childhood in the early 70s.

No matter how many times I see Karen sing or play the drums, it will always make me move and enjoy with her what made her happier. She is an angel who lost the world and I appreciate very much that you know and let your followers know the incredible talent that she had, so that we somehow keep her memory and legacy alive.

She did not even break a sweat!

I was born when she was on the radio, I had no idea until now she was a drummer.

Her voice still captivates me and holds me frozen. I shed a tear each time, for the beauty and the sadness.

Her talent was amazing indeed! Like your reaction!

She was one of kind😢 if she would have live she would be in her 70's

The Carpenter's Christmas Album is the greatest! I still listen to it every Christmas.

Wow, I never knew. A drummer who could sing. She had chops as well as showmanship. I admire her even more now.

37 years on we still hear her music around the world especially around Christmas. Even in places like China as her music is played in shopping centers, airports and elevators too.

She had the most beautiful voice. I have so many of their 45's and albums. So sad when she died almost 37 years ago. The world lost a beautiful soul.

I love how you react to Karen’s talents.. she’s deserved it and I loved her so much.. when she died I cried all day for days.. Karen was very much loved by her fans.. ❤️

1:43 that's John Denver by the way, the take me home country roads guy. And yes the glockenspiel story is true, happened when Karen was in the Highschool band.

Sometimes it’s just a package deal: genius level creativity and talent and great emotional/mental challenges. Karen, Van Gogh, Brian Wilson, and so many more.

That was tremendous. So beautiful and so talented!!!

SHE COULD SING HER BUT OFF. JUST ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VOICES IN THE WORLD.

I never knew she played the drums and that was John Denver - YEAH

Karen was an amazing person it was so heartbreaking to lose her all those years ago thank you for sharing

Thank you. Brought chills to my body and tears to my eyes. So glad I happened to come across these videos. Thanks again.

I love these reaction videos, but in the end, I always come back to yours, Jamel. I've watched some of your videos a dozen times now. You're great, and keep the videos coming!!

Karen really was an amazing talent. If only she had loved herself as much as we all did. A beautiful spirit.

Jamel - listen to Karen's "For all we know" its my favorite, just breathtaking!

Yes sir that was her playing the drums all that talent that beautiful voice I remember the day she died broke my heart she's singing for God keep up the good w.ork I love your show.

I was literally heartbroken as a young girl when she passed. I just didn’t “get it” at the time...now I do but it’s still heartbreaking. Thank you for your nice review of her❤️

Karen was overflowing with talent. Your reaction as honest as it gets. I miss her so!

Ohhh, wonderful! I am so happy that you have critiqued this video. Fantastic! And, yes, it is true that she started out playing the glockenspiel in her high school marching band, but she didn't like it at all and asked to switch to the drums. She ended up being the first chair drummer in her high school band and was awarded the John Sousa musical award her senior year at 17-years-old. Her focus was totally on the drumming even though she had already recorded a single, at 16-years-old, at the bass player of The Wrecking Crew, Joe Osborn's garage studio. He discovered her & her brother & ultimately helped them get in with A&M. The single record was on Joe's label, Magic Lamp. Only 500 were pressed, and copies are worth a mint now. She and Richard both were in college at CSULB when they ultimately got signed to A&M. She was an incredible Jazz drummer & took lessons in Hollywood from Bill Douglass, a famous Jazz Drummer from the 50s & 60s. She was amazing! Incredible singing voice and excellent drummer. She always considered herself "a drummer who sang". Thank you so much for including dear, beautiful Karen in your videos. She was truly one of a kind! Gone too soon. I've been a fan since 1970. Was eleven years old when I first heard "Close To You". Have loved and adored her ever since.

My mom went to high school with her in Downey, CA!

She was anything but under appreciated. Those who knew her music, loved her music. Between her and Richard, there was more talent than you are likely to find anywhere. And lastly, she had "hands down" THE BEST female voice I have heard in my lifetime. It just gave you goosebumps and made you melt. It is a shame she did not see herself as almost everyone else did.

So much for “girls can’t play drums”

She was incredible on the drums and an awesome singer so much talent gone way to soon.

What I love about this drum solo is the ending - because it’s a visual representation of how the Carpenters did their vocal tracks. They overlapped sound on top of sound and combined it. Or in this case, they overlapped footage of her drumming with live footage of her drumming. It’s a neat way of demonstrating how the Carpenters sound is built.

I have been a drummer since I was 5 years old (1965) and always loved Karen's drumming. She was an astonishingly great basically Jazz drummer. I will NEVER forget the day she died. It was on my 23rd birthday, February 4th. 1983. When I heard the news on the radio I literally had a visceral reaction to it and pulled my car over to the side of the road. It was a HUGE loss to the music world. She will never be forgotten, ever! And us 'real" drummers will always respect her because at the time she started out in, or became famous, in 1970, female drummers were virtually unheard of. Today they are everywhere, especially in Japan. But back then she was an enigma, and a damn great one too! Miss her. She had it all! 🥁💔