Karen Carpeneter died 42 years ago.

@immatthewj @wyoboy Fine! I guess I take it back, seeing the Queen doesn't make it as fun a story to tell than getting busted for it  

I haven’t been to as many concerts as some people I know. But I’ve had some very unusual concert experiences. In 1981, I was working for Smoky Mountain National Park and I had a paycheck to cash. Unfortunately, several days before getting my check, I had been assigned very remote living quarters on the north side of the park. On my way home, I was sitting at an intersection in the middle of nowhere with my paycheck. If I turned right it takes me to my new living quarters in the middle of nowhere. If I turn left it’s also the middle of nowhere, so what the heck, I went left. First thing I saw was a miserable tiny old shack on the side of the road. This tiny dilapidated shack turned out to be a moonshine dispensary of sorts, which is another story. So, continuing down the road to nowhere, it’s getting dark, and there’s nothing in sight but trees and road.

Finally, after half an hour of boonies, there’s a parking lot full of cars, and something that looks like a bar. It looked like a place to cash my check. As I walked in the door it felt like entering a different world. Suddenly there must have been hundreds of people! There was music, and lights, and action in the wilderness. The music caught my attention in the first few seconds. It wasn’t the sort of music I expected in the boonies, it was great! The band was Alabama!!! Wow!

I cashed my check, had some beers, bought some cds, and found my favorite country music!!! 😃

I could never understand why Alabama was playing there in such a remote place. A few minutes ago I looked at the map where I accidentally ran into Alabama in the middle of nowhere. There is a place called Pitman Center with a population of 461 people. I have no idea how many people lived around there in 1981, or if there was any organized village. Apparently there’s a bar in the boondocks, and hundreds of people living in the hills! I have no clue why Alabama would play there!!!

It occurred to me that most people on audiogon are mainly into rock. So, many of you might not know who Alabama is or how famous they are. So I will give you some information below.

ALABAMA is the band that changed everything. They reeled off 21 straight #1 singles, a record that will probably never be equaled in any genre. They brought youthful energy, sex appeal and a rocking edge that broadened country's audience and opened the door to self-contained bands from then on, and they undertook a journey that led, 73 million albums later, to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I must say I’m really surprised at the number of posts on this site.  I’ve always loved Karen Carpenter, a world class voice. I put her in the same category as Barry Manilow who has been reviled as very unhip,  but is also a world class performer and composer.