Songs, Albums & Quotes of Paul Williams, Karen Carpenter, Cher & The Wrecking Crew: An Intro for Gen Z

By James Curtis Geist

People love the music from the 1960's and 1970's. This book covers four key musicians who helped make the music iconic.

Paul Williams
He is one of the most beloved and respected lyracists having his songs recorded by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, The Carpenters, Three Dog Night, Willie Nelson and Kermit the Frog among the many. He even wrote the theme song for the television movie starring John Travolta in 1976 called "The Boy in the Bubble." Williams not only wrote lyrics but appeared on numerous game shows, television programs, talk television and films. Johnny Carson loved the short man with blond hair and rose colored glassees, having him appear 50 times on his program.

Karen Carpenter
Between Karen's contralto and Richard's baritone voice, The Carpenters produced quality and sophisticated pop songs. They had success with "Top of the World," "Superstar," "We've Only Just Begun," "Hurting Each Other" and "Sing." They created nine Gold albums and sold over 100 million records until at age 32, Karen suffered the tragic and untimely and shocking death from anorexia.

Cher
Cher is known from "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" variety television show and their hits "I Got You Babe," "Bang Bang," "Half-Breed" and "Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves." Sonny & Cher sold 40 million albums, but when Cher went solo after their 1974 divorce, she sold over 100 million albums with her hits of "Belive," "Song for the Lonely," "If I Could Trun Back Time," and "DJ Play Me a Christmas Song." She was inducted in the Rock Hall of Fame in 2024 and given Kennedy Center Honors in 2018.

The Wrecking Crew
They are one of the greatest session bands you probably have not heard of. The Wrecking Crew was were session players or called "sidement" who played on many recordings from 1962-1975. They all had classical training and could sight read and played Top 40 songs, television theme songs and film scores. They were never famous, and their job was to make others famous. They played for Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, The Mamas and Papas, Simon and Garfunkel, Sonny and Cher and many others.

This book includes teh backgrounds, influences, discographies and achievements of the bands listed above. The impact of these bands cannot be overstated. This book is a proper introduction for Generation Z.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FMGQR5J6
• ISBN13: 9798298034029
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 86 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"