People all over the globe witnessed the massive success of The Carpenters during the early ‘70s. Siblings Richard and Karen have become known for shaping the music industry, specifically the sub-genre called “Sunshine Pop.” However, little did everyone know that not everything was perfect, despite the fame and fortune the duo have amassed. Keep reading to know more about the Carpenters.
As Kids
Richard and Karen were born to Harold Bertram Carpenter and Agnes Reuwer. When the siblings were young, Richard preferred spending time indoors playing the piano and listening to classical music, whereas Karen liked playing outdoor sports together with her friends. Their parents, however, noticed that both their children were greatly interested in music in spite of their differences.
As Kids
Musically Inclined
Karen’s parents weren’t really sure what path their daughter was going to take, so they tried various things. At four years old, they already enrolled her in a tap dancing and ballet class.
Musically Inclined
The Drums
The Carpenter family relocated to California in the year 1963. There, Richard matriculated at California State College in Long Beach where he developed his passion for music further. Karen, on the other hand, enrolled at Downey High School, where she also learned to play drums. The siblings played together for the first time in a pit orchestra that accompanied a staging of the musical Guys and Dolls.
The Drums
A Little Secret
Despite the fact that Karen was an amazing drummer, she actually had a secret reason for pursuing to become one. The truth is she didn’t like attending early morning PE classes, so her way out was… yup, drums.
A Little Secret
Her First Set
Karen was able to persuade her parents to purchase a $300 “Ludwig drum set” for her. Frankie Chavez played a big role in introducing Karen to and getting her interested in the drums. However, Karen wasn’t only curious, she was also a fast learner. In fact, she was able to master Dave Brubeck’s 5/4 drum rhythm in “Take Five.”
Her First Set
Trio
Richard, Karen, and Wesley Jacobs, Richard’s school friend, formed a trio back in 1965. The group specialized in Jazz. Karen was on the drums, Richard played the piano, and Wesley was on the bass and played some tuba. At the time, Karen was inexperienced as a singer, but she started taking voice lessons and gained the confidence needed to perform.
Trio
Battle of the Bands
The trio signed with RCA records following their win at the Battle of The Bands at the 1966 Hollywood Bowl. The group was able to do quite a few recordings, yet the label still dropped them because the company did not believe their singles would achieve success. In 1967, Karen enrolled at the college that Richard was attending, and the trio carried on recording in the studio of Joe Osborn.
Battle Of The Bands
Small Time Job
When she graduated from college, Karen Carpenter looked for work. She had her beginnings in the business of printing, but before long, she directed her attention to music.
Small Time Job
Karen Goes Solo
It was during a late night garage session when producer Joe Osborn fell for Karen’s contralto vocals after she sang before him. He immediately signed a record deal with her through his label Magic Lamp Records. Afterward, he also signed Richard to Lightup Music, the publishing branch. Karen was able to release a single with the Richard Carpenter Trio as backup. Sadly, it was a flop, and she had to be dropped by the label.
Karen Goes Solo
New Band
In 1967, Richard and Karen formed a bigger band with other musicians from the Long Beach State. They named themselves, “Spectrum.” The band sent demos to several labels in Los Angeles, yet not one label responded positively. At that moment, the popular genre was Psychedelic rock, and labels thought that the band’s music was too mellow. In the same way, clubs said no to playing Spectrum’s music because it wasn’t something that people could dance to. Eventually, Spectrum disbanded only one year after it was formed.
New Band
Duo
In 1967, Jacobs left the group to be part of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Months later, Richard and Karen started performing as a duo called the “Carpenters.” The two recorded demos, which they later sent to A&M records. At about the same time, the duo also did a performance in the ‘’All American College Show.” Luckily, in 1969, A&M Records signed the pair for the unique sound they had.
Duo
Freedom
A&M opened a lot of doors for the pair and gave them plenty of creative freedom. The duo was able to compose music and lyrics that were their very own. Richard was particularly thrilled since he was doing the composing for the two. It was not long before they started working on an album.
Freedom
Mild Success
In 1969, the duo released their debut album. Unfortunately, “Offering” got negative reviews and just sold 18,000 copies. Nevertheless, A&M Records carried on supporting the duo after they rebranded and had success in the international market. The album was called Ticket to Ride and sold as many as 250,000 copies!
Mild Success
Unique Sound
The music of the Carpenters was unlike the songs that were on the charts. Even though The Beach Boys and The Mammas and The Papas influenced their music, the duo also added their very own sound. The Carpenters continued to make music until people eventually started to see their talent.
Unique Sound
Gold
After the mild success they had, the siblings decided to create singles rather than a whole album, so the duo remade the songs “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Close to You.” Both singles became successful, and the Carpenters were finally on their way to being stars. The duo began touring and even had an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Gold
Highs And Lows
A lot of fans have wondered which notes Karen was able to hit when she was singing the Carpenters songs. Well, for “Only Yesterday” she began on below middle C and a low E flat, but for “A Song for You,” she would touch below middle C and a low D.
Highs And Lows
The Pres
By 1972, the Carpenters had already become international stars. The duo received an invitation from the White House, and they met Ronald Zeigler, Ken Cole, and James Cavanagh! Later that same year, the duo was requested to come back in order to meet President Richard Nixon himself in none other than the Oval Office. The memorable meeting was documented with photographs.
The Pres
That’s Not My Name
In the beginning, the duo signed as “Carpenters” and not “The Carpenters.” Many people did not know this but in actual fact, the pair have been miscalled the whole time. However, what made them even decide on the name? Actually, the duo thought that dropping the article was hip at that time. Bands such as Buffalo Springfield and Jefferson Airplane did the same thing, after all!
Thats Not My Name
Playboy’s Vote
When Playboy carried out a poll to find out who the best drummers are, many chose Karen and she came in first. When Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham saw that, he was quite mad and said, “I’d like to have it publicized that I came in after Karen Carpenter in the Playboy drummer poll! She couldn’t last ten minutes with a Zeppelin number.”
Playboys Vote
Lip Syncing
Contrary to what some might think, it’s not really that uncommon for musicians to lip-sync in a performance. Richard and Karen did so during their performance of “Bless the Beasts and Children” at the 1972 Academy Awards.
Lip Syncing
A Big Performance
For the duo, the biggest performance they did came during the summer of the year 1971. The Ohio State Fair was the setting, and over 50,000 people came to the concert, which was just a single-night performance. The Carpenters were hitting it big.
A Big Performance
Fame
The Carpenters went on to create new music and released songs like “Now & Then”, “Horizon,” and “A Song for You”. They received a lot of attention, and there was even a rumor starting to spread about Karen spending time with Elvis Presley! Unfortunately, all of the fame had come at a price.
Fame
A Break
It’s not a secret that it takes a lot of hard work being famous. Richard started taking sedative drugs, which was the reason why he had to have a break. He used this time to enter rehab in Kansas. Meanwhile, Karen wanted to continue making music even if her brother was not around. Even though she had enough songs to make a solo album, labels did not approve of the idea and kept it under wraps.
A Break
Not A Fan
Karen took pride in her solo album, in addition to putting plenty of heart into creating it. Sadly, many people didn’t really agree with her. Richard even said it was “too mature” for Karen’s age and mentioned that the vocal range was not suitable for Karen. He even went further and called the songs weak. She ended up putting the blame on herself for the failure of her album.
Not A Fan
Her Struggles
As Richard was trying to deal with addiction, he realized that Karen was also suffering – from anorexia. The younger sibling refuted the claims, though. In 1980, the duo finally began recording again. In 1981, they released an LP which they called Made in America and it sold 200,000 copies. Their song “Touch Me When We’re Dancing” peaked at No. 16 on the charts for the Top 100.
Her Struggles
Long Battle
Back in those days, not many people knew about or were familiar with anorexia nervosa. When she was diagnosed with it, Karen had a rough time. She needed to go into therapy and entered rehabilitation. There, she was made to eat something. Karen lost over 25 pounds in just one month, only drinking water and barely eating anything.
Long Battle
Shows Cancelled
The duo’s fame had burdens, that much is clear. At the peak of their career, Richard and Karen were under a massive amount of stress. In fact, Karen was dieting quite excessively, so she could catch up with their shows. In 1975, Karen’s illness got so severe that the duo had to cancel their shows in the Philippines, Japan, and the UK.
Shows Cancelled
Seeking Help
Karen finally went and got help from Steven Levenkron, a New York based psychotherapist. Richard wasn’t really happy with how the professional was managing his sister’s case. In spite of her brother’s disapproval, she kept seeing Levenkron. However, one day, Karen called him and said that she was not feeling well. She mentioned that her heart had been “beating funny.”
Seeking Help
Her Friends Said
Similar to many other celebrities, Karen had so much happening under the surface. Her friends remarked she was caring, fun-loving, and even goofy. However, something else was going on within Karen’s family, which many didn’t notice about the seemingly innocent singer who was obsessed with stuffed animals.
Her Friends Said
Mommy Issues
Karen shared love with people around her, but sadly, it was not always given back by the people who she expected to receive love from. Case in point: her mother, whom others regarded as quite difficult and strict. Karen always felt the need for acceptance and love from her mother.
Mommy Issues
Brother Issues
Even though Richard and Karen were close, and they performed together, her personal issues were consuming her. Richard was said to be a workaholic who was unable to let Karen do things without his supervision. Karen craved independence, especially since Richard set the schedule for shows and decided when they would be cancelled.
Brother Issues
Walking To Her Death
Karen had the habit of walking many miles in order to lose weight, an activity which was really bad for her. Her doctor gave her a warning against doing this, and he made an attempt to persuade her family to become involved. However, calling the family would end up worse than what the doctor would have anticipated.
Walking To Her Death
Tension On The Phone
Karen was persistent in walking to see her doctor, who happened to be two miles away. Thus, the doctor called her family and just asked, “Do you love Karen?” in order to try and get them to do something to help her. Richard ended up crying while he was on the phone. He said, of course he loved his sister. Her mother, meanwhile, blasted the doctor and said he was asking a very personal question.
Tension On The Phone
Rushed To Hospital
Once he got the call, Karen got advised to go into hospital. Even though she did, it was not immediate. Later that month, an IV drip was connected to Karen, and she succeeded in regaining 30 pounds within just two months. In November, she left after she announced that she had been cured of the eating disorder. Even though no one agreed with the decision, Karen was intent on leaving the hospital.
Rushed To Hospital
Off The Radar
After being released from the hospital, Karen immediately jumped back into Hollywood, where she was under the spotlight again. On the 1st of January 1983, she attended the 25th year celebration of the Grammy Awards. That was the last time she appeared publicly. She also went right back into the studio.
Off The Radar
Not For Me
Earlier on, Karen revealed that she was not really looking to enter a relationship because of her busy schedule, and she said that it was difficult to meet someone while working in the industry. Close friends, on the other hand, reported that Karen wanted to have a partner and start a family.
Not For Me
Surprise!
In spite of the challenges, Karen got what she wanted. In August of 1980, she met Thomas James Burris, a real estate developer, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Burris was previously married, had an 18-year-old, and was nine years her senior, but she did not mind.
Surprise
A Perfect Suitor
39-year-old Tom Burris seemed like he would be a perfect match for Karen. At least that was what she thought. Burris was nice, attractive, and very generous…yet, things would come crashing down even before they would tie the knot.
A Perfect Suitor
Kids
Allegedly, Karen really wanted to have kids of her own. Unfortunately, this would not be possible since Burris had undergone a vasectomy years before. This was news to Karen. Tom didn’t tell her anything until shortly before their wedding. Karen really wanted out.
Kids
Calling Off The Wedding
Since Karen really hoped to have children, she thought of calling off the wedding. However, when she phoned her mother to discuss the issue, Karen was berated by her mom. Karen was told that no cancellation would happen. Her mother’s reason was that family and friends had already planned to attend the wedding. Also, Karen was told by her mother, “The invitations have gone out. There are reporters and photographers coming. People magazine is going to be there. The wedding is on, and you will walk down that aisle. You made your bed, Karen. Now you’ll have to lay in it.”
Calling Off The Wedding
The Mask He Wore
Even after the couple got married, Karen still was intent on becoming a mother, so she talked to her husband about realizing her dream. However, she did not see his reaction coming. Her new huband belittled Karen by telling her he would never consider having kids with a “bag of bones.” However, the insults were not really the worst of his brutal behavior.
The Mask He Wore
Careless Spending
In the beginning, everyone thought Burris had as much money as Karen. However, she soon revealed the truth. Even though he made expensive purchases like, cars and clothing for himself, he was actually spending more than his financial means. Karen’s personal assistant Evelyn Wallace says about Burris, “It wasn’t long after they got married that he started asking her for money. He’d give her some excuse, and she’d give him the money. He’d ask for $35,000 and $50,000 at a time. Finally it got down to the point where all she had left was stocks and bonds.”
Careless Spending
Not A Happy Ending
In addition to the financial troubles, Karen also suffered emotional and physical abuse from her then husband. Eventually, she revised her will and indicated in the contents that she was leaving everything to her family when she dies. After the couple quarrelled publicly in a restaurant, they separated. In 1982, Karen applied for divorce.
Not A Happy Ending
Helping Others
Sadly, Karen Carpenter passed away due to heart failure related to anorexia on February 1st in 1983. However, her death brought awareness about different eating disorders. Her passing came as a shock to the general public, but it aided in educating about the possible dangers of bulimia and anorexia.
Helping Others
Ending In Divorce
What many people are not aware of is that Karen Carpenter was meant to sign the papers for her divorce on the day that she passed away. Therefore, she never got around to signing them.
Ending In Divorce
The Autopsy
After she passed away, Karen’s parents had an autopsy done in order to find out the specific cause of the star’s death. The findings of the procedure showed that Karen had taken huge amounts of ipecac syrup, which causes an individual to vomit excessively.
The Autopsy
Nation Mourns
Karen was interred on February 8, 1983. More than a thousand fans came to the funeral of the legendary musician. Her close friends like, Dorothy Hamill and Olivia Newton-John were also present. Even Burris was in attendance and placed his wedding ring in the casket. In addition, despite not being physically there at the interment, many of her fans from all over the world mourned Karen’s death.
Nation Mourns
The Final Performance
One of Karen’s last public appearances happened on the 17th of December 1982. It was in Sherman Oaks, California where they had a gig at the Buckley School. She performed Christmas carols for her godchildren, the kids’ friends and their classmates.
The Final Performance
A Movie
CBS made a biographical movie about Karen Carpenter’s life and called the film The Karen Carpenter Story. It showed the artist’s struggles with her fame, controlling family, and eating disorder. The tribute even got nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
A Movie
Flawed Facts
Even though the film might be a tear-jerker, it’s possible that producers took some artistic liberties with the story and included several exaggerated truths or false happenings. For example, there is a scene where Karen is told by her mother that she loved her. In actual fact, no one can recollect her mother ever saying that to Karen.
Flawed Facts
A Star
In October 1983, the Carpenters were awarded a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Karen’s solo album was released 13 years after she died. Karen may no longer be in this world, but the music and influence of the Carpenters have stood the test of time. The world still continues to be touched by the Carpenters.
A Star
His Own Solo
After his sister passed away, Richard Carpenter put his energy and time into creating various compilations of their music. In 1987, he released a solo album called Time, which included the likes of Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield.
His Own Solo
Too Much Breath
When New York session drummer Liberty Devitto was interviewed privately, he said something unique about the passion Karen had with regards to making beautiful music. During the recording of “Remember When Lovin’ Took All Night,” Karen recorded herself breathing quite heavily for background vocals. The singer was so involved that she hyperventilated and passed out!
Too Much Breath
Them Peaches
In spite of her struggles with anorexia, people noted that Karen had a rather unique favorite dessert. The star apparently found it rather difficult to say no to peach melba, and she rarely passed up the chance to dig into some.
Them Peaches
High Numbers
It’s not really a surprise that the Carpenters were able to sell a massive number of albums throughout their career. According to estimates, the duo successfully sold more than one hundred million albums! Wow!
High Numbers
Money Mystery
Despite Richard and Karen not wanting to reveal how much money the two of them had exactly, they were comfortable enough to say to the world that they’d become millionaires.
Money Mystery
Sing
The Carpenters started a special tradition. Every time they were on tour and performed “Sing,” a local choir of children would perform the song together with the duo. They would recruit the choir, so as to make their performance of the song completely unique in each show.
Sing
Still Alive
It might be surprising for some people to know that the music of The Carpenters is still quite alive. As a matter of fact, today, the duo’s music is still selling, alongside artists who are releasing music at present.
Still Alive
Music For Charity
It is safe to say that the Carpenters were the people’s type of band. The duo even had a softball team, which helped them raise funds for the Middlesex County Cancer Society. The star pitcher of the team was Karen herself, and the team went up against other celebrity teams.
Music For Charity
The Carpenters Graceland
There were plans of demolishing the Carpenters’ house in 2008, but fans of the duo rallied outside the residence that they consider as their “Graceland.” Even now, the house still stands where it originally stood. Seems like fans should not be underestimated. They can certainly get things done.
The Carpenters Graceland
Karen’s Ghost
This seems to be getting all too familiar, but this time, the ghost is not haunting the house she lived in. According to people who work at the Jim Henson Company, there have been reported sightings of a lady in one particular dressing room, which had belonged to Karen.
Karens Ghost
Continuing The Legacy
In spite of all the challenges the two siblings had to face when they were together, Richard has given a fortune to Karen. Since her death, he has released a lot of collaboration pieces that had been previously unheard. In addition, he has released some of her raw soundtracks.
Continuing The Legacy
Karen’s Influence
Aside from hyped up fans, so many other people have been influenced by the musical talent Karen had. Some of them are Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon, Sheryl Crow, K.D. Lang, Shania Twain, and even Madonna. Clearly, big names were not immune to Karen.
Karens Influence
Notable Partners
In addition to people she influenced solely with her music, many others have also been charmed by her personality. Karen went out with Alan Osmond, Mike Curb, Steve Martin, and actor Tony Danza. Elvis Presley had been a prospect too…
Notable Partners
Elvis’ Proposal
Many big names sought after Karen, and one of them was Elvis Presley (again). Apparently, he had invited British singer Petula Clark and Karen up to his room at a hotel to, um, chat. Recalling the rather awkward situation, Clark revealed, “He was very amused by that. It was probably the first time anyone had ever turned him down.”
Elvis Proposal
Late Compliments
After Karen’s passing, a lot of famous musicians began to make comments about the band, particularly about Karen. One such musician was Paul McCartney of The Beatles. He said that he felt Karen’s vocals were the best ever.
Late Compliments
Not Enough Information
Quite the opposite of how the circumstances would be handled today, family and friends attempted to force feed Karen. Since bulimia and anorexia were relatively new disorders at the time, no one really realized that they are mental disorders. Therefore, trying to feed Karen wasn’t very helpful.
Not Enough Information
The Funeral
Over a thousand people attended Karen’s funeral. Even though she was extremely thin, she didn’t reveal to the public that she’d been sick. Her death became one of the biggest eye-openers, which urged the public to begin taking anorexia seriously.
The Funeral
Her First Diet
Looking back, Karen first began the fight to shed off pounds not long after she finished high school. She started to do the Stillman water diet that helped her to drop to 120 pounds from 145 pounds. Her family and friends complimented her for getting rid of the somewhat chubby frame she had. However, little did they know that would just be the beginning.
Her First Diet
A New Diet
Even though dieters on the Stillman diet are forbidden from eating heavily processed and fatty foods, they are still allowed to eat. As a matter of fact, the diet specifically tells dieters to have 6 meals in a day, though smaller ones. Regular eating is still encouraged. As for Karen, she was getting sidetracked and became transfixed on shedding more pounds. Soon she weighed just 90 pounds.
A New Diet
Carving The Path
Karen devised a method to explain her odd eating habits while they were on tour. She would say: “When you’re on the road it’s hard to eat. Period. On top of that, it’s rough to eat well. We don’t like to eat before a show because I can’t stand singing with a full stomach…You never get to dinner until, like, midnight, and if you eat heavy you’re not going to sleep, and you’re going to be a balloon.”
Carving The Path
The Obsession
In August 1973, after their concert at Lake Tahoe, Karen was astonished by what she saw in pictures of herself. She was convinced her belly stood out in photos, and she at once tried to find a personal trainer who could assist her in getting “back into shape.” However, the trainer turned out to do things that were worse than what she had expected.
The Obsession
Bulking Up
After a strict diet plan and intensive workout sessions with her new personal trainer, Karen still was not happy with the results that she was seeing. Even though she lost her so-called paunch from before, there was a new thing that she didn’t like. Despite the fact that the diet was low in calories, it was packed with good carbs and protein. Thus, Karen gained some muscle, yet she didn’t like it. Thus, she let go of her personal trainer.
Bulking Up
Taking Matters Into Her Own Hands
Once again, as she looked at herself, she became disgusted with what she saw and her image. This happened while she was watching herself on the Bob Hope TV special. When she mentioned that she had gained weight again, Richard agreed with her. Thus, Karen promised she would “do something about it.” She went out and bought a hip cycle that she used regularly.
Taking Matters Into Her Own Hands
Eating Disorder
Exercise did not do it for Karen, so her eating habits became worse as well. Family and friends noted the way she would strategically fiddle with her food during meals to give the impression of eating. Karen even went as far as suggesting to others that they try the food on her plate, saying that it was really delicious. However, soon her mom, Agnes, would recognize this trick and did it back to her.
Eating Disorder
Trying To Conceal
When Karen’s weight dropped to under 90 pounds, she had to be creative so she could hide it. She began wearing several layers of clothing. However, her agent, Sherwin Bash, picked up on her ploy. “She would start with a long-sleeved shirt and then put a blouse over that,” he revealed, “and a sweater over that and a jacket over that…With all of it you had no idea of what she had become.”
Trying To Conceal
The Secret Starts To Come Out
Evelyn Wallace, one of their close family friends, just happened to see Karen out in the garden tanning. Something caught Evelyn’s eye, and she moved closer to take a better look at the disintegrating body Karen had. She recalls, “She loved to go lay out in the sunshine. I don’t know whether it was to get a tan or get away from her mother. Anyhow, I happened to go out to the kitchen for something and I saw her out there. She just had on her little bathing suit shorts. You couldn’t tell whether it was a girl or a boy. She had absolutely no breasts.”
The Secret Starts To Come Out
The Public Notices
Karen’s dwindling weight started influencing her appearance. When they noticed, fans were shocked. They sometimes openly expressed their concern for Karen. Some thought that maybe she had cancer or some other disease.
The Public Notices
Richard Moves On
Needless to say, losing his sister had been devastating for Richard, but in 1984, Richard made good progress by starting a family. He and his first cousin (who was adopted) tied the knot. Together, they have five children, one of whom is named Mindi Karen. The couple named another child Kristi Lynn – the name that Karen wanted to give her own child.
Richard Moves On
A Living Legacy
The Carpenter family is the founder of the Carpenter Memorial Foundation. It raises money for extensive research into eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa. The organization’s name was later changed, and it included new funding projects such as the arts, entertainment and education. The current name of the organization is Carpenter Family Foundation.
A Living Legacy
Her Words Live On
The Carpenters’ music was not the only thing that made people feel something. Karen’s words also made a difference. To this day, a lot of people still cherish Karen’s quotes. To many people all over the world, they are words that guide and support. Her quotes will definitely make anyone reflective.
Her Words Live On
Fighting For Control
“I may not be in control of anything else, but I am in control of my body.” Sadly, it had been the one factor in her life which she had control over, but led her to an untimely death.
Fighting For Control
Just Regular People
“People never think of entertainers as being human. When you walk out on stage, the audience think, ‘Nothing can go wrong with them.’ We get sick and we have headaches just like they do. When we are cut, we bleed.” No truer words for Karen herself.
Just Regular People
Just Sing
“Make it simple to last your whole life long. Don’t worry that it’s not enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing, sing a song.” This is a wonderful piece to ponder, isn’t it?
Just Sing
Taking The Chance
“I had no idea whether I could play ’em or not, but I wanted to and I was very determined… but the band director said ‘That’s not really normal.’ Of course, all you have to tell me is that something’s not normal and I’ll go for it!” Karen was someone who lived by her words. This actually proves that.
Taking The Chance
Genuine Worries
It was always Karen’s dream to become a mother. However, something inside her was telling her that it would never happen. “I’m just afraid I’m gonna miss it all… being married… being a mother.”
Genuine Worries
On Happiness
“Not enough people in this world are happy.” Karen, herself, knew this, so she did her best to use the Carpenters’ music to change things, not just for herself, but for everyone that benefited from it.
On Happiness
The Health Industry
“I feel like the health industry is getting nothing but stronger every day.” This somehow makes us wonder if this made an impact on how she viewed herself.
The Health Industry
Honesty Is The Best Policy
Talking about their first single, this is what Karen said: “Our first single, ‘Ticket To Ride’, was a kind of half-hit, half flop: in some places it was number one, in others it was ash-tray material.”
Honesty Is The Best Policy
Breaking Into The Industry
“We came out right in the middle of the hard-rock period… it was hard-rock everywhere! But we were ready to make our music, you know? And it was such a turn around, I guess it caught people by surprise.” And in spite of all of this, just take a look at what the Carpenters managed to produce.
Breaking Into The Industry
Mondays
It may be hard to believe, but Mondays’ effect on everyone is the same. Karen stated that, “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.” It doesn’t matter if you are famous or not.
Mondays
About Childhood
“While Richard was listening to music in the basement, I was out playing baseball and football, and playing with my machine gun! I was very tomboyish, quite a character, I hear!” Karen was a lot of things other than what many people made her out to be.
About Childhood
Getting Help
“There are many approaches, thousands of approaches out there can help you stop smoking. There’s the gum, there’s the patch. But what’s important is what’s going to work for you. And I think you and your physician, having a conversation about that, can provide the best results.” Well, sounds like she was sure what works and what doesn’t. Quite insightful.
Getting Help
Finding The One
Karen dedicated a lot of effort and time on her career, but despite this, she had never regretted it. “I have a harder time finding somebody. The problem is we were growing professionally during the years most people were concentrating on being a person.”
Finding The One
The Carpenters At The End
The Carpenters, specifically Karen, are going to be remembered for spreading happiness around the world. For many people, Karen was a guiding light, and she keeps being just that even after her passing.
The Carpenters At The End