Not quite as famous as Annette, Cubby O’Brien was, nonetheless, one of the better known Mousketeers. He was part of a core group that was involved in the entire first run of black & white episodes. Cubby also made it into the Disney feature, Westward Ho, the Wagons along with several other Mousketeers. Because of his height and age, he was often paired with Karen Pendleton making “Karen & Cubby” a celebrity couple long before people started thinking like that.
Born in 1946 with a real first name of Carl, Cubby’s main talent was drumming, which was frequently featured on the show. Cubby’s dad, Hack O’Brien had been a successful big band drummer and he started his son on the drums at age 5. Cubby proved a fast learner.
When filming on the Mouse Club, wrapped, Cubby continued to make personal appearances on behalf of Disney up through the early 1960s. Graduating high school in 1962, Cubby immediately began a long & successful career as a professional drummer. He was part of Lawrence Welk’s Orchestra for two years before joining Spike Jones touring band. He then moved on to drumming in the group that backed up Ann-Margaret and eventually wound up in the studio band that provided live music for The Carol Burnett Show.
Beginning in 1973, Cubby began touring as the drummer for the Carpenters. While Karen could play the drums, she seldom did so during live shows. Contrary to reports, Cubby did not play on any of the Carpenters recordings.
During the 1980’s, O’Brien moved to New York and began finding steady work as a drummer and musical director for Broadway productions.
Married three times, Cubby is now based in the Pacific Northwest and still performs in touring Broadway productions as well as serving as the drummer for Bernadette Peters touring band. He has also participated in various Mousketeer reunions, the most recent being in 2005.
Cubby is living proof that child performers can go on to have happy, normal lives.
