D. Head,the Carpenters were a brother and sister duo from California that signed with A & M records in 1969. Their names were Karen and Richard and they recorded the first real versions of what became modern Adult Contemporary music. (That meaning it's just good music and lyrics for the everyday record and radio listner not interested in the somewhat louder styles.)
Between 1970 and 1981 they scored no less than 20 top 40 hits! The 3 biggest were,"They Long to Be Close to You","Top Of The World" and a cover version of "Please Mr. Postman (or mailman.) They also had the hits "Sing","For All We Know","We've Only Just Begun","Superstar" (not the Jesus one!) and their last hit,"Touch Me When We're Dancing" and the 13 others.
Karen had a wonderful voice,although her range was nowhere near Mariah or Celine's,she can still be considered a woman who showed that a female singer can be amazing without either being too loud or too meek. Richard was the musical mastermind who had the brilliant idea of actually using electric guitar on a love song,which was then unheard of,and so was born the "power ballad". Both are and or were muically gifted
but in different ways.
Karen,having become sensitive about her weight with the pressures to look good for appearences,ended up bulimic. Sometimes eating and purging or just not eating at all. Even down to 84 pounds she stil believed herself overweight! In February 1983,she collapsed at her parent's home and was rushed to the hospital but given her condition,it wasn't long before she expired. She was only 32.
Her loss was tragic and truly,the nation did mourn for her and her family. Her passing put the eating disorder in the national spotlight. That's why today there's help for females and yes,males who do the very same things to themselves that she did.
On Entertainment Tonight just a few days ago,Richard talked about the new Carpenter family Mosoleum where he has now moved Karen's remnants to. She,the parents and all relations will be placed there one day. (Not a very nice thing to hear about on a show like that,it borders on tackiness.)
Anyway,there's your answer D. and personally,even though their not considered rock & roll and were perceived as "goody-goody" in their day,I think they should be put in the R & R Hall Of Fame for beating the odds in a business then overun with hippies,teen-bop,The Beatles and acts like Ziggy Stardust aka David Bowie & KISS! We miss you Karen but at least we have the music forever.
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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm."
- Borderstone
