Books by Joel Samberg

This is the HARDBACK version. "To be a Benny Bell meant to be spirited, witty, funny and sometimes a little crazy. But to be a Benny Bell also meant to be obstinate, paranoid, suspicious and sometimes a little hasty. "Given all the facts about his traits and personality, it is no surprise that one of the great mysteries of Ben's life and career is whether or not he ever stood a chance of becoming the famous Tin Pan Alley tunesmith and vaudeville comic he set out to be. Could he have been one of the select few to schmooze with Sammy Cahn and trade shticks with George Burns? Could he have been a card-carrying Friars Club member who regularly headlined in Miami, Los Angeles, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas? "Maybe he could have. But he wasn't."

This is the HARDBACK version. "This book brings back so many lovely and amusing memories of a sadly missed friend. She was unique and irreplaceable in so many ways. Joel has been thorough in his research, and his love and respect for Karen shine through. Love and thanks for the fun and the magic of her musical soul." -Petula Clark "An insightful look at the life of Karen Carpenter, a singing hero of mine. I had the pleasure of opening for the Carpenters in 1975, but it was more exciting that they recorded several of my songs, particularly 'Solitaire, ' which featured a breathtaking Karen vocal accompanied by Richard's magnificent orchestration. Mr. Samberg's book is a worthy tribute to her everlasting legacy as one of the great vocalists of all time." -Neil Sedaka The popularity of the Carpenters-Karen in particular-has never really waned. In fact, when you consider the online presence, documentaries, tributes and other projects, you might even say that an unofficial Carpenters revival has been brewing for years. Many remember the velvety voice that helped the Carpenters sell 100 million records, but not everyone knows that beyond the gifted singer was also a love-starved romantic, conflicted sister, obedient daughter, unpredictable jester, modest millionaire, optimistic dreamer, wannabe mother, emotional wreck, generous friend, and melancholy clown. How is it that someone whose stardom lasted just a dozen years, and who might have given it all up in a heartbeat, is still so beloved and still fascinates more than three decades after her untimely death?

"This book brings back so many lovely and amusing memories of a sadly missed friend. She was unique and irreplaceable in so many ways. Joel has been thorough in his research, and his love and respect for Karen shine through. Love and thanks for the fun and the magic of her musical soul." -Petula Clark "An insightful look at the life of Karen Carpenter, a singing hero of mine. I had the pleasure of opening for the Carpenters in 1975, but it was more exciting that they recorded several of my songs, particularly 'Solitaire, ' which featured a breathtaking Karen vocal accompanied by Richard's magnificent orchestration. Mr. Samberg's book is a worthy tribute to her everlasting legacy as one of the great vocalists of all time." -Neil Sedaka The popularity of the Carpenters-Karen in particular-has never really waned. In fact, when you consider the online presence, documentaries, tributes and other projects, you might even say that an unofficial Carpenters revival has been brewing for years. Many remember the velvety voice that helped the Carpenters sell 100 million records, but not everyone knows that beyond the gifted singer was also a love-starved romantic, conflicted sister, obedient daughter, unpredictable jester, modest millionaire, optimistic dreamer, wannabe mother, emotional wreck, generous friend, and melancholy clown. How is it that someone whose stardom lasted just a dozen years, and who might have given it all up in a heartbeat, is still so beloved and still fascinates more than three decades after her untimely death?

"To be a Benny Bell meant to be spirited, witty, funny and sometimesa little crazy. But to be a Benny Bell also meant to be obstinate,paranoid, suspicious and sometimes a little hasty."Given all the facts about his traits and personality, it is no surprisethat one of the great mysteries of Ben's life and career is whether or nothe ever stood a chance of becoming the famous Tin Pan Alley tunesmithand vaudeville comic he set out to be. Could he have been one of the selectfew to schmooze with Sammy Cahn and trade shticks with GeorgeBurns? Could he have been a card-carrying Friars Club member whoregularly headlined in Miami, Los Angeles, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas?"Maybe he could have. But he wasn't."