From soft rock and rhythm and blues to bell-bottomed pants and bubble-sleeved blouses, the ’60s and ’70s were a time to be alive. It was also during this period that the Grammy award-winning siblings, Richard and Karen Carpenter stormed the airwaves, enchanting melody after enchanting melody.
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The singing duo was born in New Haven, Connecticut to Harold and Agnes Carpenter. Richard Lynn Carpenter, the older of the two, was born in 1946. Karen Anne followed four years later. Surrounded by vast musical influences from early childhood, both began to cultivate a unique interest in music. Richard enjoyed the singing of the likes of Nat King Cole, and the Beatles, and became particularly enamored with the singing style of husband and wife duo, Les Paul and Mary Ford. Their sibling bond helped shape the kind of music they created.
Richard masterfully wrote the songs, arranged the music, produced the records, and provided supporting vocals for Karen. Meanwhile, Karen supplied the majority of the vocals, while displaying her perfect pitch and sometimes also displaying her incredible skill at the drums.
Away from how it all began, let’s see how The Carpenters’ songwriting partnership evolved over the years.
Transition into Songwriting Partnership
Richard and Karen Carpenter formed their first band, the Richard Carpenter Trio, consisting of the two siblings and their friend, Wes Jacobs. In 1966, the band won the “Battle of the Bands” but disbanded just 2 years later, according to Rolling Stone.
The year 1969 saw the advent of the Carpenters’ first album, Offering, which was a letdown and didn’t do as well as projected at the time. By March of the next year, they went ahead to rework Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “(They Long to Be) Close to You” which went on to rank No. 56 on the Billboard Hot 100. And on July 25 climbed up and remained in the No. 1 spot for four weeks.
A few months later, their version of “We’ve Only Just Begun”, a song written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols ranked No. 2 on the charts and alongside “Close to You,” was certified by the RIAA.
The duo became one of the most recognized voices in the U.S., wowing the world with Karen’s melodious and controlled contralto amidst Richard’s full warm voice, which could usually be heard in the background providing supporting harmonies. Possessing a three-octave range of D3 to F5, Karen’s vocal prowess was indeed rare.
Hence, the genius of Richard and the unmistakably clear vocals of Karen spearheaded the melodies of the ’70s, with the likes of Michael Jackson, and Shania Twain drawing influence from Karen.
In 1971, The Carpenters received two Grammy awards for Best New Artist and Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus. Also weeks before Karen’s 21st birthday, the song, “Rainy Days and Mondays” was recorded. The song eventually climbed up to No. 2 on the charts for seven weeks — their fourth single to be certified gold by the RIAA.
Still in 1971 and after their third studio album, The Carpenters began hosting a TV series, Make Your Own Kind of Music. During the show, Karen had taken to playing the drums. However, it soon became clear to them that the viewers would rather have Karen take center stage as the main singer. She was initially reluctant but soon warmed up to the idea upon the urging of her brother and their manager, Sherwin Bash.
Richard and John Bettis penned and recorded “Top of The World” as part of the studio album A Song for You. But it wasn’t released as a single until 1973. The song peaked at No. 1 on the charts and has been used on-screen, in movies, TV shows, and as a children’s rhyme. The faint sounds of the tambourine, the bass guitar, and the unforgettable electronic keyboard played by Richard alongside Karen supplying the main and supporting vocals was a sweetly hypnotic sound that took the United States by storm.
In 1974, the siblings toured and didn’t release any albums. Later in 1976, they released a gold-certified album, A Kind of Hush, featuring a single called “There’s a Kind of Hush,” which was Karen’s personal favorite from all of their songs.
The Later Years and Legacies
In September of 1978, Richard took a break from touring. He’d suffered an addiction to a sedative and decided to begin treatment. This meant that on December 3rd Karen performed solo due to his unavailability.
Karen later developed health complications after dealing with anorexia nervosa for years. She delayed treatment and met their Producer, Ramone, in hopes of making a solo album. The album wasn’t released until later in 1996.
By 1980, Karen had gotten married and Richard was prepared to resume singing. However, it only seemed to be the beginning of Karen’s troubles as she began to lose weight rapidly and develop more health complications.
In early February of 1983, Karen was finalizing her divorce amidst coping with health challenges. Sadly, she was later found dead a day after visiting her parents and the funeral was held on February 8th.
In recognition of their influence, the Hollywood Walk of Fame put up a star in honor of The Carpenters and their legendary contribution to music. Richard has gone on to pursue a solo career. The Carpenters achieved 14 studio albums, 3 Grammy awards, 12 Top 10 singles, and 20 Top 40 hits on Billboard Hot 100, all in their 14-year career. (Per Billboard)
To date, radio stations and TV shows fill the airwaves with Karen and Richard Carpenter’s memorable songs.
I’m on the top of the world lookin’ down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I’ve found, ever since you’ve been around
Your love’s put me at the top of the world.”
— “Top of the World” By The Carpenters (1972)
Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images
