whsoxfan, on Jun 4 2003, 07:05 AM, said:
Ready for another newsletter story?
From Carpenter Fanclub Newsletter #15 (1973)
"In Gainesville (Florida) , an airport limo took them to their concert where there seemed to be a shortage of dressing rooms and all performers had to share the same one. But Karen, with the aid of a huge blackboard managed to construct herself her own private dressing room corner. (She was a Carpenter in more than name that night).
On stage, after finishing "Cinderella Rockafella" with Doug, Karen crossed to the other side of the stage to render "Superstar". She wondered as she approached Richard what he was cracking up about. What she didn't know then was that a pair of workman's gloves carelessly left on stage, had caught on her microphone cord and were mysteriously following her across the stage like an invisible glove-wearing individual walking on their hands. Any wonder Richard was laughing."
Quote
From Carpenter Fanclub Newsletter #14 (1973)
What famous Cincinnati Reds baseball player interviewed Karen in Richard in Cincinnati for his TV show?
Now, I know most of you out there are young and need help - so here are your hints:
Back in the 70's the Cincinnati Reds were called the "Big Red Machine". The most famous players were Joe Morgan, Tony Perez and .........
Also, this mystery man is part of the battery (the battery consists of the pitcher and catcher - he played one of those positions). Let's see, this famous ball player did commercials for Rustoleum a few years ago. Did I help you enough? Who was the ball player?
Quote
This is from Carpenter fanclub Newsletter #16 (1973) The Australian Tour
"During Aussie customs inspection, one of their consoles was totally destroyed when custom officers searched their equipment on the never ending search for drugs. But in spite of the lost console, Carpenters did a "standing room only" business throughout the entire tour.
Australian sight seeing took them to a Koala Bear farm where they were allowed to hold the cuddly baby bears. Karen wanted to bring one home, but Richard and the Aussie government nixed the idea so she settled for a stuffed one, three feet tall, to add to her collection. She named him "Sir Bear of Sydney". A friend took them yachting in the beautiful bay of Sydney, and they also had ample time for shopping. Australia, they say, still has a long way to go. Besides bad roads, there is no FM radio and no color TV.
Someone posing as Karen caused a slight turmoil by calling the TV stations and giving misinformation concerning show tapings. The "Today" show was scheduled to be taped from their hotel suite. The imposter told the station that K & R had changed their minds and would tape at the TV station and then sent a cab to the hotel to take them there. It took a bit to iron out this wrinkel, but iron they did and the show went on as scheduled at the hotel.
In Adelaide, just 2 weeks away from winter, the hotel had no heat. Electric heaters were finally located to keep them warm.
The lucky people of Melbourne will view a "Carpenter Special" TV show which was taped there. From Melbourne to Brisbane for another concert, then back to Sydney where gift laden fans greeted their arrival at the airport."
This is a long newsletter. So I'll finish it up tomorrow. As they journey to Hong Kong and Japan!
Quote
As promised here is more from Carpenter Fanclub Newsletter #16
"Saying goodbye to Australia they headed for Hong Kong. They landed on the main island of China and were ferried to Hong Kong where promoter Andrew Eu held a dinner party in their honor in one of his castles (he owns 3). Dinner was served Chinese style - chopsticks and all, Karen managed the sticks thru everything but the fish. They eluded her. Wise Richard used his fork. They especially enjoyed the Hong Kong jewelry stores with their brilliant displays of beautiful diamonds and many colored jade.
At the Tokyo Airport they were mobbed by fans and two body guards were finally sent in to protect them. They did another "Carpenters Special" for Tokyo TV and were then "bulleted" to Osaka, on the bullet train, for concerts there. During the 3 hour ride they battled their lunch which insisted on tipping into their laps due to the extreme speed of the train.
In Kyoto at the Miako Hotel they found themselves in somewhat of a maze which ended at rooms that were much too small. An elevator took them to the 6th floor where they had to get off, wind their way to another wing and take a second elevator to the 11th floor. They checked out of there in a hurry and found more convenient quarters at Hotel Fujita. They played 3 concerts in Osaka and laughed over shower troubles. At one hall they found themselves without towels. In another, there were individual showers but all were in one room! Their third concert there was at 2:00 pm and it was followed by an evening concert by the group "Chicago" who sent a huge bouquet of flowers to K & R.
The narrow Japanese streets seem to be a challenge to the cab drivers who use them as a race track, speeding furiously up & down making "dodgers" out of all pedestraians, Japanese freeways are two lanes only - not four or five like ours.
Mom & Dad met K & R in Tokyo and enjoyed two wonderful weeks in beautiful Japan. Dad especially enjoyed the fantastic Japanese gardens.
Among the huge pile of gifts bestowed upon them was a gorgeous Japanese doll (for Karen), three feet high encased in glass. Richard was the recipient of a very lovely and rare Suzuki Harp. This was King Records way of saying "Thanks for the Music".
On the way home, customs inspections was made in Honolulu where the flight was detained for 2 hours because of the tremendous load of Carpenter baggage which included 5 tons of concert equipment. Standing in a long line, their hands and underarms full of additional boxes & shopping bags, they shoved 76 pieces of luggage inch by inch ahead of them with their feet!
At LA Airport I met a weary family filled with happy memories of a beautiful tour."
Quote
Carpenter Fanclub Newsletter #18 (around 1972 or 1973)
"Now bits and pieces from their last tour. The inebriated joker on stage in Houston who played Karen's drums, was NOT part of the act. Neither were the police who transplanted him into the Houston jail. Floods & rain plagued them on the east coast. In Johnstown, where a flood had ravaged the town before their arrival, the question was "To play or not to play?". They played, and to a very appreciative audience. Seemed their music helped to restore the townspeople's morale.
Confusion reigned at dinnertime there when a lady approached Sherwin & Bobbie (Bash - K&R manager) and asked for their autographs, thinking they were K & R. Can you imagine their bearded manager being mistaken for Richard? To top that, a fellow approached Richard, handed him a dub tape and asked him to please give it to Richard Carpenter!
In the Garden State (New Jersey), they arrived to find Sherwin's room under flood waters. Saratoga was another wet one where they played in pouring rain. It was here that Bill Skiles & Pete Henderson, their opening act, were not recognized by the security guards when they arrived and were made to park in the patron's parking lot.
In Toronto, the Hungarian Village again beckoned K & R where they dined there 3 successive meals. After an almost fruitless search in Toronto stores, Karen finally found some tennis shoes and the group engaged in tennis & badminton. Oh yes, it was here that a lady asked Karen for her Union card!
R & K were very impressed with the newly built Pine Knob in Michigan. The two made friends with the owner of the magnificent place and since some construction was still in progress they were able to give him pointers that would be helpful to both patrons and performers. Unfortunately, here again, they encountered another drunk, during a performance who kept shouting he wanted something by Elvis. He caused such a commotion that Karen & Richard left the stage for a bried interval. On their return, Karen gave a short talk, the audience cheered and the performance was resumed without further interruption. Pine Knob offered them a rare opportunity to return to Karen's first love - softball! They played on the grounds until the automatic sprinklers turned on and made them very wet. The game was called because of man made rain!"
Quote
Carpenters Fanclub Newsletter #19 (1973)
Back in L.A. their Greek Theater concerts were a sell out every night. Mr. Doolittle gave them an opening night party at his palatial home and fun loving Herb Alpert gave them an opening night gift - an old battered trumpet that looks like someone's ten ton truck ran over it.
Their 9:00 am flight to Colorado was detained an hour when it was discovered the plane had a damaged landing gear. All passengers were finally shuffled to another plane for a ten o'clock zoom.
They were impressed with Denver's beautiful Red Rocks Theater. Richard said it is comparable to the Hollywood Bowl here in L.A. They said that though the wind & traffic there was terrible, the audience was truly great and they enjoyed playing there. Word got around in the afternoon that the group was rehearsing and before they knew it they were being watched by 4000 people. They caught an early flight from Denver the next morning and were back in LA by 5:00 a.m.
Thanks to their Tahoe engagement, Richard had a rare treat. He drove his new, red Ferrari to Lake Tahoe. He loves to drive this beautiful red car but his cross country tours give him few opportunities to do so. "
Quote
Now, to finish up Carpenter Fanclub Newsletter #19
"In Lake Tahoe they were assigned the Sahara Stars House as living quarters during their Tahoe stay, but having arrived a day early, the house was still occupied by Tom Jones. So a moolight move was made as Tom moved out and Karen & Richard moved in at midnight. They were furnished a chef & maid during their Tahoe stay so in spite of day-time rehearsals they found leisure time for horseback riding, bike riding, water skiing and tennis. They even enjoyed a picnic on the shores of beautiful Emerald Bay. The weather was mostly beautiful sunshiny days and as a result, Richard got sunburned. Though the high altitude affected their throats and breathing, it did not keep them from performing.
A special treat was afforded Karen & Richard when they were invited to meet the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and watch their air show. The Thunderbirds in turn attended one of Karen & Richards's Tahoe concerts.
The two decided one day to rent a speed boat and skim the length of colorful, peaceful Lake Tahoe. They were enjoying the jaunt when the peace was disturbed by a sudden mountain storm which swept down the mountains to the lake causing huge waves which threatened to overturn the boat. Needless to say, Karen & Richard headed for shore top speed.
When they took leave of this Tahoe wonderland they were advised to take Highway 395 rather than Interstate 5, the one they had traveled to reach Tahoe. Seems Interstate 5 had an 80 car pile up due to a dust storm which was more dangerous than fog.
Just received word that Karen & Richard will be taping "The Robert Young with the Young" Special. It's not due to air until March 1, 1973 and even that date is tentative."
Quote
Carpenter Fanclub Newsletter #20 (1973)
"It was bound to happen sometime and it did in Las Vegas. The opening act was finished, the MC announced "Ladies & Gentlemen --- The Carpenters", the drum roll commenced and there stood Richard on stage - WITHOUT Karen!! She was still in her dressing room unaware that it was curtain time! There were no monitors and no one had bothered to warn her. So it was an astronautical Karen who flew on stage that night in time to sing the opening song which hilariously enough was "Help"! During the tire convention held in Las Vegas while Karen & Rich were there, they partied in Richard's dressing room with Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, Al Unser and other great race car drivers. Julie Nixon Eisenhower also paid a special visit at their Vegas residence. Though secret service men were in attendance during her Vegas trip, she entered the Carpenter's house alone and they all enjoyed a pleasant visit. Karen & Richard also visited Nellis Air Force Base, meeting again, their friends the Thunderbird Pilots and were privileged to climb aboard one of the planes while Mr. Carpenter took movies of the action. For kicks the group walked down to Circus Circus casino and rode the bumper cars. Arriving at a time when there were no other patrons, the attendant turned the power up full blast so they would experience more bumps and they all had a hilarious time.
Leaving Las Vegas, the group flew to Salt Lake City for a concert at the Special Events Center. Though their equipment truck was late in arriving, they all pitched in to get the stage set up in time for the evening performance. then to their dismay, the heavy rain held up traffic and the show had to be detained 45 minutes. In her dressing room there, Karen discovered she had no hot water so she had to use Richard's shower. The dressing rooms were in sight of the audience and Karen wondered how many people saw her as she dashed in her robe, towel on head, back to her own dressing room to dress. At Boise State College, there were locker rooms only for dressing, so Karen was given the coaches office to use that sported a lovely shower. However, it hadn't been used in a long time, so Maria (Karen's hairdresser) had to clean it so they could set their luggage down. After the concer they went to the only 24 hour restaurant for dinner, but when they arrived it seemed like the entire Boise State audience had the same idea. The place was so crowded there was no place for the group so they didn't get dinner until 3 o'clock in the morning. It was a jubilant group that picked up a 90 passenger Electra Jet to fly to Portland, Oregan. They anticipated 2 days off after the Portland concert. Karen lost a bracelet there in a Chinese restaurant and didn't miss it until she returned to her hotel. They searched her room, the stage they performed on, and the limo but to no avail. Then they finally went back to the restaurant where it still lay on the seat she had sat on. She figured it had rolled off her arm when she removed her coat!"
0
Pamela thought that this topic should be only Newsletters. So she added "Please no comments - use forum". 
My needle point kit from fan club was yellow, too!!
