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Hello LS,

I was wondering what happened to Jack Daugherty, who was the producer on the early albums? Why did he disappear from the career of the Carpenters? What kind of relationship did they have afterwards? What became of his producing career? Does anyone know?

Thanks,
Marty

Jack passed away during bypass surgery on February 2, 1991. After losing a court battle against the Carpenters over the title of Producer on Richard's recordings, he still was classy enough to attend Karen's funeral. Richard found this act very moving!

I'm so glad that he did that for Karen! What a true gentleman! Thank you for sharing, Portlander!

I thought it was classy too.

Where did you two hear of this?

It's documented in the Ray Coleman biography.

Ah, I never read that! I plan on purchasing it soon. No wonder I didn't know.

Marty,

The Coleman book is worth getting.... as far as a biography goes it's probably the best on the Carpenters.

I've heard that! I've been offered alot of rare Carpenters' items, so I'm going to spend my money on that first. Thanks for the heads up, Jayne!

I really need to get that book soon!

I've often wondered if Richard made a mistake in not keeping him on as producer, since most of the songs that made Karen and Richard famous were the songs produced by Jack Daugherty. The first four albums were produced by Jack Daugerty (Ticket to Ride, Close to You, Carpenters, and Song for You). All the rest, from Now and Then to As Time Goes By, were produced by Richard... I can recall with all the albums after Song For You, listening to each track, and hoping there would be another Superstar or Rainy Days and Mondays. With the exception of Yesterday Once More, it never happened... While there were LOTS of good songs, there was nothing to compete with the war-horses from the first four albums.

You're right, Ned. It sounds like it was a mistake, but I won't take anything from the later albums because I love them too. There was something to those Daugherty Productions that brought out their sound as intended, though. Jack Daugherty knew their sound and he understood it perfectly.

And from what I understand, Karen absolutely ADORED Jack as a person. Sad that he, too, was sort of "removed" from her life. Seems to have happened a lot (i.e., John "Softly" Adrian)... It's obvious in the footage from "THis Is Your Life" just how much affection KC had for Jack. Maybe something of a father figure?

It's so hard to know what went on behind the scenes at A&M. The Coleman book seems to suggest that Jack actually contributed very little to the production of the earlier records. If that were the case, then there would be other reasons for the way the Carpenters trailed off after the "A Song For You" album. Fatigue was likely playing a part in it too.

And Jena, you're right, sometimes it seems that the people who came and went in Karen's life were nudged around a bit and "removed" as you said.

From the book: Richard was immensely proud of "A Song For You", with it's crossfading and book-ending. But yet again, as from their very first album, it bore the credit line: "Produced by Jack Daugherty." And this credit now gnawed at Richard. He and Karen really liked Jack, he had been a vital link to their A&M "home". A popular cheerleader who occasionally offered advice during recording sessions, he did the essential job of booking the studios and musicians. His office conducted production laison - but a creative producer of the Carpenters he was not, in Richard's view.

That role was unmistakably filled by him. "The construction of the Carpenters sound was mine and Karen's. I knew how I wanted the damn records to sound, and for the recording process, in the ultimate mix, I went through everything with our engineers. So when Richard picked up a copy of Cashbox magazine, which opened it's review of "A Song For You" with the words "Superb Jack Daugherty production," he let fly!

Can't say I blame Rich! I'm tired of typing ...

I agree with you, Portlander. Richard knew exactly what he was doing, he didn't need Jack or Herb or anyone else to help him along.