Karen Sirko

“*I want this life. I want traveling, and seeing the world, and playing music with my friends until I drop dead on stage.*”
―Karen[src]
**Karen Sirko** is a character in the *Daisy Jones & The Six* television series adaptation. She is the keyboardist with The Six and Daisy Jones & The Six.

## Appearance

Karen is a tall woman with a slender build, oval face, almond brown eyes, and plump lips. In the late sixties to seventies she had wavy blonde hair with golden highlights, which she styled in shaggy, perfectly curled waves. Her style was very bohemian chic with black and brown color palates. Her clothing was soft yet had a powerful edge to it that spoke to her strength as the only woman in a rock band in the 1970s. She wore lots of rings and necklaces. By the present day, Karen had cut her hair into a straight bob with bangs. She also dyed it platinum blonde and wore heavier eye makeup.

## Character overview

"A true original and one of the first women in the overwhelmingly male world of rock and roll."

## Plot summary

Karen takes a seat for the interview portion of the documentary about her former band members Daisy Jones & The Six.

In 1971, The Dunne Brothers open for The Winters. Graham stares at The Winters keyboardist, Karen. Warren laughs at him to keep dreaming. The bands pass at the steps and the Dunne Brothers compliment The Winters. Karen is the last to come down, and Graham compliments her. After introductions, she asks if he knows a good place to eat around there. He asks if she's going to stick around as it'll be a good show. She thinks maybe next time and he suggests the best burger place in town. The Dunne brothers take the stage and Karen sits down next to a man with a reserved seat - Rod Reyes.

In the interview, Karen scoffs over Rod and explains that he once told her to wear low-cut shirts. She told Rod to eat shit and that was that.

One day, she gets a call from a bumbling Graham Dunne who is attempting to ask her to join the band. Billy takes the phone and asks her to be in the band. She yells at her bandmates that a pan is burning in the kitchen. She apologizes for the minor kitchen emergency. He was just saying that the Dunne Brothers would like her to join their band. She questions if it's in Pittsburgh, but they're actually in LA now. They have a couple gigs lined up on the Strip and are renting a house. Graham whispers to Billy to tell her it's in Laurel Canyon, prompting Camila and Warren to swat Graham away. Billy asks Karen if she wants to be in the best band in the world. She wants to speak to that girlfriend of hers. Camila gets on the phone and Karen tells her to be honest, if they're worth it. Camila wouldn't be there if they weren't. Karen looks over to The Winters who are passed out on the couch.

Karen tells the interviewer that she's been in bands since she was fifteen, always looking for the one that would go the distance. The Winters weren't that. As her mother always told her, “don't put down roots in bad Earth”. She reflects on first impressions not being great, but they had a gig lined up on the Strip, so that was something.

Karen enters the house to a messy kitchen with Warren, Eddie, and Graham sword fighting in the living room with pokers and dressed as makeshift pirates. She walks into her room and takes it all in. Camila greets her with a smile. None of the boys would touch the room so they gave it to her. Karen asks if it's haunted and it is - by horrendous, horrendous taste.

Soon after, they head to Filthy McNasty's for their first gig. The band does a huddle with Billy reminding them that the smaller the gig, the bigger they play. They put their hands in a circle and yell “Pittsburgh” on three. They take the stage as Camila records them performing "Look Me In The Eye". For those first eight or nine months of playing at McNasty's, sure, hardly anyone saw them play. But it was when they really fell in love as a band. The only problem is that they didn't get paid at all. Even when people started coming to their gigs they still weren't the people they needed. The band performs "Flip The Switch" one night while Camila watches from the front row, mouthing along to the lyrics. Billy looks over at the unreserved booth for Teddy Price and takes a drink of his beer.

Camila counts out the money as the group sits at a booth in a diner. Eddie asks what happened to the parrot guy she talked to, but the parrot guy passed on them. He calls that bleak, and she suggests he keep half of that toast for the next day because what they have barely covers rent. Warren snuffs out his cigarette, wondering if old Chucky was right. Maybe this was all a big mistake and they should have just stayed at home with their moms, saved money on rent, and become a dentist. Camila has sent hundreds of photographs out but not a single paper has responded. She wonders if she should just quit, but no one ever said it would be easy. Billy pours liquor into his coffee mug and drinks it. While they're talking about stuff, Warren asks why he's the only one without a bed in the house. Billy reminds him that he could have taken Karen's room, but he couldn't because it's haunted. Camila and Graham mumble that it's not haunted. Eddie holds up the “pocket toast” that he's eating. Karen asks why they're still called the Dunne Brothers. Three of the members aren't Dunne's and she's no one's brother. Billy asks if she wants to change the name, and Eddie personally thinks that's a great idea. Billy glares at him and then refuses to change the name since that's what people know them. Eddie argues it's not doing them much good. Warren and Graham exchange terrible band name ideas like "Immaculate Reception" and "Hercules". Eddie offers up "Deliverance", "Espionage", and "Poison". All of which are met with overwhelming disapproval. Billy, with finality, believes the six of them will never agree on a name so they should just stop it. Karen perks up and asks about "The Six". Eddie disagrees as there are only five of them, but Karen nods to Camila as the sixth member. Eddie thinks people will get confused. Warren knows they can't be The Five because of bands like The Dave Clark Five, and the Jackson 5, everybody's the five. Graham kind of likes The Six, which Warren jabs is better than Hercules. Daisy walks past their booth and her manager Dave yells after her that she still has ten more minutes. She apologizes and tosses her apron on her way out. Billy turns to look at the noise and Camila wraps her arm around his, pulling his attention back to the table.

One night while getting groceries at the corner market, Graham and Billy have a chance encounter with Teddy Price. Billy convinces him to hear one of their songs in an audition. He decides their song will be something new called "Silver Nail". Eddie isn't happy to be performing a ballad while Graham is still shaky on the chorus. Regardless, Teddy loves them and they leave Sound City to celebrate in the back of their van by screaming, jumping, and cheering. Teddy puts them through the wringer for months to make them prove they can handle it.

The Six perform at Whisky A Go Go and file outside, sweaty. Teddy tells Billy they sounded good in there. Billy shakes his head as if they were good but not great. His voice during Flip The Switch and Eddie's chasing Warren on time every damn song. Teddy chuckles at him - he booked them into a studio for next week and if the label agrees, it's high time the kids cut an album. Billy, elated, tries to hug Teddy who pushes him off as he's wet. He turns to share the news with his band who are overjoyed. They hug one another and then an off-put Teddy, who tries to fend off the sweaty musicians.

They start their recording sessions with Look Me In The Eye. Camila snaps photos of them performing as Teddy listens from the other side of the glass. She records some of the moments, focusing on each member. Billy sings while Warren is drumming, Eddie and Graham on guitars, and Karen on the keyboards. They recorded their album in six days, had two weeks off, and then it was time to hit the road for their first tour. Before they leave, Camila tells Billy she's pregnant and they get married in an spur-of-the-moment backyard ceremony that the entire band attends.

The interviewer asks each member of the group what they remember about the tour. Each band member's face falls slightly as they avert their eyes from the camera. Billy says it was a long time ago, letting his voice trails off. An emotional Camila remembers everything.

Camila, a few months pregnant, rushes to the phone to answer when Billy calls from Phoenix. Everyone's still asleep around him. The more they talk, the less he remembers calling the night before. She reassures him that he did call her and he apologizes for not knowing what's going on. She smiles that “we just miss you” and he questions her usage of “we”. She smiles that she means her and the baby. He goes quiet on the other end. After their record came out, she tries to call them but can't get a hold of anyone. This trend continues until Karen answers, admitting she doesn't know where Billy is but has to go, dodging her question of if everything is okay. Camila decides to surprise them at a motel and catches Billy cheating on her. She gives him until the baby comes to get himself together.

One night, The Six are performing while Billy, drunk and barely able to stand up straight, slurring the words to Look Me In The Eye. Graham and Karen exchange a worried look and Billy hits a series of bad notes followed by a scream that makes Eddie wince. Teddy watches them perform backstage. The song ends so Billy thanks San Diego and compliments the crowd. Graham tries to coax him off the stage but he pulls away abruptly. He staggers off the stage as the crowd boos them for leaving early. Billy staggers off stage and sees Teddy. He accuses Graham of calling him, but Graham swears he didn't. Billy hugs Teddy and asks what he's doing there. He was just coming to check on him, but plans have changed. Camila's had the baby, a little girl, which stuns him to his core. It's time for him to go meet his daughter. Teddy loads Billy into his car and tells Eddie, Karren, Warren, and Graham that they'll see them in Seattle. He drives off as the rest of the band watches, morose, then heads back inside.

Billy gets out of rehab in 1974, arriving at the Laurel Canyon home alongside Graham, who picked him up at the facility. Karen embraces him and notes that he looks good. Warren tries to do a "Pittsburgh on three" but no one follows his lead. Eddie wants to show off his new bass, but Graham stops him as Billy's got to meet his daughter. Billy nods that it's good to see them and walks inside while the band waits in the garage.

A few days later, Billy gathers everyone in the living room to tell them he's leaving the band. Graham tries to keep everyone calm, but Eddie lashes out at Billy as he's pissed. Billy's not sure why they're upset as they don't even need him; they've got the songs and the fan base. Before he can offer up a solution, Eddie shouts at him and then tells him that if he's going, to go. Billy walks out of the room and Warren asks what they do now.

In the documentary, Karen reflects that she knows that bands fall apart, that's rock and roll. She just thought this one was different.

Graham and Karen try to scout for a new lead man while at a party but come up short. Guys like his brother don't exactly grow on trees. He's going to put an ad in the paper and talk to the guys at the Troub. The guy they need is out there somewhere, he got to be. Right now, she just wants to get drunk. They start talking about sex. She's not a nun, obviously, she likes sex, loves it actually. It's just the mess that she doesn't like. The attachments and the expectations. He wonders if that means she would never want a life, like what Camila and Billy have. She wants this life. She wants to travel and see the world and play music with her friends until she drops dead on stage. She is quite horny, though. He is too and she thinks they should just go for it, and he agrees. She gets up to flirt with a guy several feet away from them. Graham sighs and looks away.

Over the next few days, Karen, Eddie, Warren, and Graham listen to auditioners sing "Look Me In The Eye" trying to find their new lead man, but everyone is dreadful. Karen feels like she's seen every frontman in the whole of California. Eddie, positioned by the mic, mentions they haven't seen everyone. He can do it. Graham starts to speak but Eddie cuts him off. He's a better guitarist than Billy and can sing almost as well. He asks them to give him a chance. Warren shrugs as he's already up there. Eddie picks up his bass and steps to the mic, singing Flip The Switch. Warren, Karen, and Graham listen and exchange surprised looks.

Christmas, 1974. Camila rushes to get her camera and records Warren hanging stockings and Billy holding Julia while Graham and Karen entertain her with tinsel. Billy turns to the camera and has Julia wave to her mama. Camila records the evening as everyone laughs and has fun, hugging each other over gifts being exchanged. At the end of the night, Billy puts Julia to sleep and everyone cheers for him. He wants to play something for them if they're open to it. He understands if they're not and Eddie scoffs they're not, then asks the band if he's right. He doesn't think Billy can just walk back in as if nothing happened. He apologizes and leaves to check on Julia. Eddie calls the asshole back to play the damn song.

The next thing documentary Karen knew, they were booked in the studio. Warren remembers Teddy thought a vocal vocalist might give them an edge. Karen knew it was someone he was working with. Eddie had never heard of her then, no one had. Graham smirks since Billy wasn't thrilled with the idea.

Daisy gets set up in the booth, asking for a glass of milk and whiskey. Or one if they don't have the other. The band talks in the booth while Billy, on the other side of the glass, asks Teddy why he's smiling. He's just generally delighted. Billy enters the recording studio as Eddie, Warren, Karen, and Graham leave. He picks up his headset and Daisy mimics his movements. He offers to talk through the song first but he's fine unless he had something that he wanted to talk about, but he's fine. Tobias shows Daisy where her volume is and that Billy is on channel two. She tests the volume a few times. Graham wonders if she's never recorded before, and Warren smirks that she's about to. Eddie asks where her pants are, but Eddie doesn't care. Karen tells them to shut up. Teddy has Billy and Daisy test their levels. They do the first take of "Honeycomb".

Billy starts them off but Daisy notices the band staring at her. She taps on his shoulder, interrupting him. She asks if they need the audience, and he asks if she means the band. Eddie scoffs over her talking about them, and Warren agrees as it's their song. Karen thinks they should give her some space, offering to talk to Deb instead. The boys hurry out of the room to talk to her. Karen closes the door behind them and stays to watch. Teddy starts off with "Honeycomb", takes two. Billy sings the first few lines as Daisy watches him, then joins him in singing. Their voices meld together perfectly and Karen leans on the table with a fixed look on her face, before looking incredulously at Teddy, who just stares at the singers. It isn't long until Billy stops her as those aren't the lyrics. He calls for someone to bring him a pen so he can write down the lyrics, but she knows the words. She's singing them. She offers her journal as proof. He asks what the hell this is, and she's annoyed he didn't get the revised version. Teddy wants to give her a version a go and just see how it sings. Billy argues with him as her version's like a completely different song. Daisy interrupts to ask what he thinks his song is about. Taken aback, he repeats the question - what does he think the song that he wrote is about. It's about starting a new life, it's about redemptions from letting people down. She surmises it's about guilt, but he rebuffs that. She apologizes as she's not trying to pry or anything, she's just trying to get them on the same page and understand the story better so she can help, which is why she's there. She assumes it's about him letting somebody down. Now he's saying everything's fine, look at us now, everything's in the past. The problem with that is she doesn't believe it, it doesn't sound honest. It sounds simple. She doesn't know him very well but he doesn't seem simple. She asks why he called it Honeycomb when that's a Ricky Nelson song.

Karen asks Teddy if she's always like this, while the leads continue to bicker. Daisy insists she loves the song and that it's beautiful. But he wrote a speech when, at the very least, she thinks it can be a conversation. He takes off his headset and storms out of the session.

Eddie, Deb, Warren, and Graham watch TV when Billy storms into the room. Karen and Teddy enter shortly after, and Billy demands answers from Teddy. Billy's either going to kill her, Teddy or himself, asking where he should start. Daisy walks over and Billy dismisses her as they need a minute. He asks Teddy to come and talk to him. Daisy asks Teddy if this is the part where the men figure out the solution, but he highly doubts it.

Eddie rants to Warren over letting Billy back into the band like it's nothing, and now he's got them singing songs with some chick. Karen asks who he's calling chick when she's a chick. Eddie scoffs that she's not really. Teddy stops Tweedledee and Tweedledum, then compliments them for being the heartbeat of the track which is good work. Eddie's glad he digs it and both he and Warren are glad to know someone's listening. Billy returns shortly after and records the song with Daisy.

## Discography

**Albums**

* SevenEightNine (keyboardist)
* Aurora (keyboardist)

**Singles**

* "Solitude" (as Candy Floss)

## Trivia

* She initially had doubts about joining the band but changed her mind after her future best friend, Camila, said they're worth it.

## Appearances

Karen Sirko appears in the following episodes:

## References

1. ↑ *Deadline:* ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’: Nabiyah Be, Will Harrison, Suki Waterhouse & Josh Whitehouse Join Cast of Amazon Series. Denise Petski. February 13, 2020.
2. ↑ "Track 1: Come and Get It"
3. ↑ "Track 2: I'll Take You There"
4. ↑ "Track 3: Someone Saved My Life Tonight"