Carpenters Fan Club Newsletter #69 - February, 1981
Greetings Friends!
Being a firm believer in the
motto: "All good things are worth waiting for", I am happy to confirm,
the Carpenters eagerly awaited album is at completion point!
The album is being mixed as
this is being written, and the final pressing process for worldwide
release is expected to take up to six weeks, so the anticipated release
is set for late April.
As this letter goes to press,
the album title is still under discussion. About 50% of the material is
upbeat, and the balance is true Carpenters style ballads. Richard and
his lyricist John Bettis have created two more masterpieces, one of
which is a close contender for first choice for a single to precede the
album. The title Those Good Old Dreams is a catchy upbeat song which
creates an aura reminiscent of Top of The World and is certainly
destined to be a chart topper.
The beautiful song Richard and
John wrote for Karen's wedding Because We Are In Love is likely to be
chosen for the flip side of the single. The last single Richard and
Karen cut in 1978 I Believe You is to be included on the new album.
Our duo feels very enthusiastic
with the results of their combined efforts, talents and dedication, and
both feel this will be their best recording yet. When they met Burt
Bacharach recently, he was overjoyed to learn of their intention to
include one of his new songs on their album.
Richard will be credited with
orchestrating and arranging the larger part of the album, as well as
all the vocals. Karen's expertise on percussion will also be featured
in certain tracks.
A great air of elated
anticipation surrounds the studios and Carpenter circles. The world is
indeed hungry for their special brand of pure music.
Long photo sessions are in
progress, then while the pressing process is in motion Richard and
Karen will take a well deserved vacation. Tom has exercised patience
and understanding during the long hours of recording which claimed so
much of Karen's time, but they are looking forward to relaxing in their
magnificent home in Mexico.
It is with deepest regret that
I report the tragic and untimely passing of Tom's dear mother who was
stricken very suddenly with a massive cerebral hemorrhage, and passed
away January 21st. Although the family is deeply shocked, they are
comforted by the knowledge that no pain was endured. Karen will
certainly cherish the brief but very happy association she enjoyed with
her mother-in-law.
The Carpenter and Burris
families had spent a very happy Thanksgiving at the home of the
newly-weds, where Karen helped prepare the traditional dinner.
Christmas was spent at the Carpenter homestead in Downey which
displayed the usual lavish decorations, delighting the neighborhood
children and passers by.
Richard and Karen's wedding
anniversary gift to their parents last year was to have their home
completely re-decorated and re-furnished. The house has been in an
upheaval ever since, but significant progress has been made, and it
should be completed in time for this year's anniversary. Needless to
say the transformation is developing with impeccable taste. Mom and Dad
have thoroughly enjoyed their shopping spree.
During these long months of
studio work, Richard and Karen realized the importance of a little
relaxation, and set aside one evening each week to go bowling with Tom
and friends. They joined a bowling league and have become quite
proficient at the sport. Richard has several trophies to his credit.
The possibility of a European and Japanese tour is being negotiated, but no concrete plans have transpired to-date.
The postponed television
Special is tentatively set for sometime in the fall, and I will keep
you posted on further developments.
As our International members
are probably aware, there have been enormous increases in overseas
postal rates, and we regret this must result in increases of our
merchandise for future mailings. The new prices will apply to all
countries outside the USA with the exception of Canada and Mexico who
can for the time being use the USA forms. New forms have been printed
accordingly.
As promised in the previous
newsletter, the pictures of Karen's wedding have now been selected and
are available from the fanclub. The set of four 8" x 10" color pictures
have the following poses: Bride -- Bride & Groom -- Richard
toasting couple -- B/G & Attendants. (B/G denotes Bride &
Groom). The black and white set of four glossy pictures features the
following: Bride -- B/G & Richard -- B/G & Family -- B/G &
Attendants. Prices for USA Canada & Mexico: (Color) $X.XX each
picture. Black & White $X.XX each picture.
To members in other countries: (Color) XX each picture. Black & white XX each picture.
These are superb pictures I'm sure you'll all be happy to cherish among your Carpenters memorabilia.
A new album of original
Carpenters hits entitled Beautiful Moments was released in West Germany
a few months ago, and Richard and Karen were delighted to learn it shot
to the number one spot on that country's charts within a few days, and
remained in the top ten position for several weeks.
They recently had the pleasure
of meeting one of their long time idols Les Paul, who was recuperating
from an illness in sunny California. The trio discussed the recording
techniques of his era, and in turn Les enjoyed sitting in on a modern
session of the Carpenters, and discussing theories etc. with their
technicians.
Thank you all for your
continued support of our musical geniuses who take a little longer than
usual in order to strive for perfection they so consistently achieve.
Here's wishing them Bon Voyage
on their return trip to the world of beautiful music where they belong.
They have already started work on another album scheduled for later
this year, so things are positively happening on the Carpenters scene
once more!
Happy Listening! Rosina.
Carpenters Fan Club Newsletter #70 - June, 1981
Hi Friends!
It's here! The Carpenters new album Made In America has been released worldwide (just in time for American Independence Day!).
Having spent months and months
working relentlessly to achieve perfection, the end result is awesome.
When you hear the pure magic of this vintage Carpenters package, you
will be astounded by the musical growth of these brilliant artists.
The first single Touch Me When
We're Dancing has already made it's debut on many radio stations across
the country, including every Adult Contemporary outlet, with very
positive reaction. It has also surfaced on the International charts.
The song was written and previously recorded by a group of studio
musicians known as Bama at Muscle Shoals studios in Alabama.
The flip side features the
moving song Richard and John Bettis created for Karen's wedding Because
We Are In Love. Undoubtedly this is destined to join We've Only Just
Begun in the prestigious rank of classics!
Several A & M record
Company's affiliates outside the United States have made various
choices for their first single release. Brazil chose Back In My Life
Again. England stayed with Touch Me When We're Dancing, Europe went
with Those Good Old Dreams while Japan opted for Beachwood 4-5789. All
are gaining ground rapidly on the charts.
Both Richard and Karen have
very positive vibes about their latest "offering" and feel it is their
best output yet. Who would have thought it possible for them to
improve!
The album delay was due to several factors.
A - problem with monitor and tape machine during recording at A & M.
B - problem with computer board and interlocking device for the dual 24 track tape machine during mix-down.
C - unsatisfactory test
pressings. The quality of vinyl has steadily declined since the first
"energy crisis". Richard had to turn down three test pressings from
various plants due to unacceptable surface noise and "pops".
According to Richard the
pressings he finally approved are "as good if not better than other
popularly priced albums, but not as quiet as albums used to be".
Richard continues "many people in the recording are aware of this
problem and are trying to do something to correct it". Seeing an
incurable perfectionist and conscientious producer, he will not rest
until he achieves the result he is completely satisfied with.
Richard's arrangements overall
and Karen's vocals are indescribable. Pure perfection Peter Knight
orchestrated the wedding song, and the Burt Bacharach / Carole Barer
Sager number Somebody's Been Lyin'.
Many more songs were recorded
during these past months, some of which will be applied to the next
album. Our duo had difficulty making their choice for this album, but
I'm sure you will all approve of their final decision.
Richard feels the follow-up
singles will probably be Those Good Old Dreams he and John wrote,
Beachwood 4-5789, Back In My Life Again or Strength Of A Woman. However
this could be determined by radio and fan reaction.
I'm sure all American fans are
delighted with the title Made In America, and may be interested to hear
how it was conceived. Richard had the idea in the back of his mind for
some time, but he confirmed same the day Karen arrived at the studio
wearing a running suit with "Made In America" printed all over the
designed fabric. This could prove to be a great omen for our export
trade!
The portrait type artwork of
the album sleeve is indeed a work of art. It was designed and
illustrated respectively by Lynn Robb and David Willardson, under the
direction of Chuck Beeson and Jeff Ayeroff in the A & M graphics
department. The photo on the inner sleeve was taken by John Engatead.
The lyrics also embrace the inner sleeve.
A & M Records in Hollywood
are celebrating their top drawer artists eleventh USA album, and
twelfth year with the label. A party of two hundred guests will be
hosted by Herb Alpert to honor Richard and Karen on 29th. June.
Tom and Karen have just
returned from a brief vacation in Mexico with a deep tan they inherited
from an exciting fishing trip. Fishing is a favorite pastime of Tom's,
but as Karen had no previous experience at the art, you can imagine her
excitement when she landed two enormous marlins almost twice her
weight!
Richard hopes to have some time
to vacation now, prior to work on next album, and the taping of an ABC
Special they are committed to fulfill later this year. Right now they
are being deluged with interviews with radio personalities, journalists
etc. and have several promotional films to make for overseas, as well
as in-store promotional tapes for USA music outlets, which include five
tracks from the new album.
This is an appropriate time to
advise you we now have the latest Made In America sets of pictures
available through the fan club. The usual format - a single and double
pose of Richard and Karen in color and black and white. Regretfully,
since the last newsletter the USA postal rates have risen sharply,
which means the black and white glossies must be increased to XX.XX
each to cover cost of mailing. These are delightful poses guaranteed to
please collectors of Carpenters memorabilia.
The entire Carpenter outfit extends congratulations to all graduates, and wish you well in your chosen fields.
Our duo have put their hearts
and souls into this new album, and their reward will be the pleasure we
will surely derive from it, so once again Happy Listening!
Have a very happy summer, and drive safely. Until next time, God Bless, Rosina.
Carpenters Fan Club Newsletter #71 - September, 1981
Hello Friends!
I trust you have all enjoyed a super summer, and are making the most of what's left of it.
Richard and Karen have been completely overwhelmed by the many
beautiful letters and tributes pertaining to Made In America, and wish
me to convey their heartfelt gratitude for same. Your continued support
means so much to them. The debut single Touch Me When We're Dancing
reached #16 on Billboard's Hot 100 charts, and the second single (Want
You) Back In My Life Again was released September 1st. It certainly has
the potential for top ratings.
The duo's return to the music scene was given a great send-off with a
dinner party in their honor, hosted by Herb Alpert of A & M Records
Inc. The party was held at the exclusive Bel Air Hotel, where cocktails
and hors d'oeuvres were served to the 200 guests on the picturesque
lawns. Guests included members of A & M staff, John Bettis and his
wife and the Carpenters family and staff. Following a delightfully
informal dinner Herb Alpert spotlighted the Carpenters career, and
welcomed them back to the music scene. Each were subsequently presented
with a very impressive plaque depicting all their recorded albums on
the A & M label. We were reminded by Herb the duo had sold over 79
million records up to last March - some feat! Richard and Karen
acknowledged same by expressing their true happiness in being once
again actively engaged in their world of music.
The A & M sound stage and parking lot was the setting for a variety
musical concert as various artists participated in a live telethon
being transmitted by satellite to Japan August 22nd. Some artists
performed inside the sound stage such as The Brothers Johnson, Ray
Parker Jr., etc., but Herb Alpert played his Magic Man in the parking
lot which had been cleverly transformed into a concert arena. The new
"slim" Sylvester Stallone was interviewed, then after waiting in the
blazing sunshine with 102 degree temperatures to see the closing act,
we finally heard the introduction "Please welcome The Carpenters".
Richard and Karen emerged looking just terrific with a super suntan,
accompanied by Cubby O'Brien, Bob Messenger, Tony Peluso and Gary Sims.
Alas, just about halfway through their performance a technical fault
developed; the technicians lost the audio and so ended the performance.
It was a disappointing finale but great to see the group in such good
form.
That same evening Richard, Tom and Karen and Olivia Newton-John and
friend were among the guests attending Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Weintraub's
dinner party at their new home in Malibu. After a very short night's
sleep Tom, Karen, Olivia and Matt decided to take a trip on Tom's boat
to Catalina Island. When they arrived there the guys went diving while
the girls basked in the sun trying to catch up on some sleep. Around
4:00 p.m. the ocean had become very choppy so they decided to return
home, but about ten miles out of Catalina while battling the forceful
current the drive shaft snapped, so Tom had to somehow try to steer the
big boat back to harbor, and they stayed overnight on the island and
flew home next day. The disappointing part was that Tom and Karen had
arranged to hold their first anniversary party aboard their boat with
additional friends the following day, but it had to be canceled while
Tom took his other boat back to tow the damaged one home. A typical
nonchalant remark by Tom "It makes life interesting" amused everyone.
Olivia celebrates her tenth year as a USA resident, so when plans were
made for her to appear on the Merv Griffin Show, she was given carte
blanche to invite a few of her friends to join her on the show.
Naturally Richard and Karen were happy to accept her invitation along
with John Travolta, Rick Springfield and others. The show was taped
September 1st, and is tentatively set to air November 2nd, but please
check local listings.
Many of you may have seen our duo featured on Casey Kasem's TV program
America's Top 10 aired August 29th. I hope you potential struggling
artists took heed of Richard's reply when Casey asked him "What advice
would you give potential artists seeking the success the Carpenters had
achieved?", Richard confirmed "You will meet lots of opposition along
the way, but you must believe in what you are doing". While introducing
them Casey proudly announced the Carpenters shared the honor with the
Everly Brothers of being the top duo for producing the most Top 20 hits
in the 70's in the United States!
Richard feels Those Good Old Dreams is likely to be the next single
choice, and will probably be released around the holiday season. With
such warm feelings in those lyrics what an appropriate time!
Tom and Karen left for an anniversary vacation last week in his 4-wheel
Ram Charger equipped with radio, CB phone, refrigerator etc. They
headed for a quaint little town in Colorado called Durango which
features a famous hotel that provides a scenic tour of the mountains,
then they plan on heading north to Banff, Lake Louise & Vancouver
in Canada. It should be a fun trip, and they'll enjoy the spectacular
scenery. They've already encountered rain on the way which must be a
welcome change from such a long dry spell in southern California.
Richard has been enjoying his car collection, and is elated with his
newest addition which he ordered eighteen months ago and only recently
took delivery of. It's a DeLorean, and Richard is delighted with it's a
performance. The car has a stainless steel body and gull/wing doors. It
was made in Ireland, but is an American car. It's definitely the pride
of the collection just now!
I am happy to announce Tony Peluso and his wife Chris expect their first baby some time in October.
In response to the many inquiries, I am happy to advise you we now have
two new posters available through the fanclub. One is a 24" x 36"
replica of the artwork cover of the new album, and the other is a copy
of the inner sleeve photograph so many of you have admired. It's 16" x
20" horizontal, and has been reproduced beautifully. Both sell at $XX
each to members in USA Canada and Mexico. $XX each to overseas members.
We are presently negotiating for a few new keepsakes items, and I hope
to describe same in the next newsletter.
Due to the horrendous mailing problems we have experienced with college
addresses, we regret we have no option but to cancel same except for
overseas students who are attending college in this country. We
therefore must revert to mailing future newsletters to your home
mailing addresses, so please advise us of any change from the one we
have on file.
We welcome our large contingent of new members, and hope you will enjoy your association with us.
Please be advised the fanclub office will be closed for one month from September 18th to October 15th for staff vacations.
Until next time, take care and God Bless. Rosina.
Carpenters Fan Club Newsletter #72 - November, 1981
Hello Friends!
No doubt our overseas members were pleasantly surprised by the arrival of Richard and Karen on their domain recently!
I was not able to advise you
beforehand as the confirmation of their proposed European tour reached
me too late to mention in the previous newsletter, but we all like
surprises don't we!
The Carpenters promotional tour
covered France, England, Holland and Germany, embracing television,
radio and press interviews, etc., plus a few television performances.
They are presently in Brazil on the last stage of the tour, and I hope
to give you a complete coverage of same in the next issue.
En-route to Europe Richard and
Karen spent a short time in New York to tape an interview for Good
Morning America which has just been aired. I do hope you caught a
glimpse of them on this program, as well as their appearance on the
Merv Griffin Show. Having performed Those Good Old Dreams for the
latter show, Richard and Karen learned later with disappointment that
segment had fallen victim to the 'scissors' due to over-run on time.
You Carpenters memorabilia
buffs will be happy to know we now have the new keepsake items, and
you're going to love them. A new flysheet is being enclosed with this
newsletter to all members, and you will find a good description of
these items on the back. The artwork of same was cleverly designed by
our artistic friend Bill Broka.
Richard wishes to express his
gratitude for the lovely cards and gifts so many of you sent for his
birthday which he spent in Paris, France. A family dinner party was
held in honor of his birthday prior to the tour.
In response to the many
inquiries relating to the publicized Carpenters Christmas Special in
the Fall Preview of the TV Guide, this regrettably has been postponed
due to the European tour, but Richard and Karen are committed for one
more A.B.C. Special which probably will transpire next Spring.
I hope Christmas Portrait will
add to your holiday pleasure again this year, and help compensate for
not seeing your favorite entertainers on your screens.
It's that time of year again to
wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving, and extend best wishes
for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from everyone in the Carpenter
circle.
Until next year, God Bless, Rosina.