Their parents, Agnes and Harold, moved the family to Downey, Calif., in 1963, with the idea that the recording scene there would provide good opportunities for Richard.īy then, Karen had developed her own love of music, taken up the drums and began singing. Karen much preferred to be outside playing softball. Richard was a musical prodigy from the start, and would stay inside listening to records and practicing as a boy. Karen Carpenter was born in 1950, 3 1/2 years after Richard, in New Haven, Conn. But even then, it isn't always easy to get those people onboard. There are Great American Songbook classics, golden oldies, torch songs, and even a novelty or two, like "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft." All those multitracked harmonies in the background of many of their hits, all those oboes and French horns and harps - that's not the entire musical story for The Carpenters, and that's a bit surprising to many people. If you listened only to the radio in the 1970s and didn't buy the albums, you might not know just how far beyond the hits The Carpenters' catalog really travels. Paul McCartney, for one, said that she has "the best female voice in the world: melodic, tuneful and distinctive." Not evenly divided, mind you: I love their music no one else in my family can stand it.īut the fact remains that I'm not alone in my musical estimation of Karen Carpenter's gift - a number of music-industry luminaries have extolled the virtues of her vocals. In fact, my entire household is divided on the issue. Yet every person who enjoys The Carpenters as much as I do knows several others who don't. 94 on its list of the Top 100 greatest singers of all time. Rolling Stone rated her velvety contralto voice at No. Today, there are more than a half-dozen websites devoted to her life and career, while several Carpenters tribute bands tour in both America and the U.K. Karen Carpenter died 30 years ago Monday at age 32, and her legacy as one-half of the singing duo The Carpenters is a source of some disagreement. Unfortunately this was her last Christmas.Karen Carpenter, of The Carpenters, performs in London in 1974.īy the time she was 24, Karen Carpenter was already famous, having released more than a dozen hit records with her brother, Richard, including "Close to You," "We've Only Just Begun," "Rainy Days and Mondays," "Superstar" and "Top of the World." Less than 10 years later, she'd be gone, the victim of heart failure brought on by anorexia nervosa. Karen and her father Harold Carpenter, December 1982. Karen Carpenter and her love 'Mush' at the Newville home in Downey, California, December 1982. "This photo is a photo of a photo that I took prior to Karen's wedding." (Photo by Carolyn Arzac) Karen Carpenter, taken at dinner engagement with her then fiancé Tom Burris, August 1980. Karen Carpenter & Olivia Newton-John are enjoying each others company with a little Qualia Bear cake on a boat cruising to Catalina, California, circa 1980. They are on a boat sailing to Catalina for some weekend fun in the sun, circa 1980. Karen Carpenter & her good friend Olivia Newton-John. Karen Carpenter with Teddy Bear, circa 1980. They show her daily life's moments, especially her last Christmas in 1982. Her work continues to attract praise, including being listed among Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers of all time.Ĭalifornian freelance photographer Carolyn Arzac took these lovely photos of Karen Carpenter from 1980 to 1982. The death of Carpenter led to increased visibility and awareness of eating disorders. She died on February 4, 1983, at the age of 32 from heart failure caused by complications related to her illness Karen Carpenter had the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, which was little-known at the time, and was briefly married in the early 1980s.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |