Karen Carpenter
Karen Carpenter | |
---|---|
Birth name | Karen Anne Carpenter |
Born | New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. | March
2, 1950
Died | February 4, 1983 Downey, California, U.S. | (aged 32)
Genres | Pop, soft rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer, drummer |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, drums |
Years active | 1965–1983 |
Labels | A&M Records |
Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer, best known as one half of the musical duo The Carpenters, alongside her brother Richard Carpenter. She was noted for her distinctive contralto vocals, which contributed to the duo's success in the 1970s.
Early life[edit | edit source]
Karen Carpenter was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and moved with her family to Downey, California in 1963. She attended Downey High School, where she initially showed interest in playing the drums. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she began to pursue a career in music.
Career[edit | edit source]
The Carpenters[edit | edit source]
In 1965, Karen and her brother Richard formed the band The Carpenters. They signed with A&M Records in 1969 and released their debut album, Offering, later retitled Ticket to Ride. Their breakthrough came with the release of the single "(They Long to Be) Close to You" in 1970, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Carpenters went on to release several successful albums, including Carpenters (1971), A Song for You (1972), and Horizon (1975). Karen's voice became synonymous with the duo's soft rock and pop sound, and she also played the drums on many of their tracks.
Solo career[edit | edit source]
In the late 1970s, Karen began working on a solo album, which was produced by Phil Ramone. However, the album was shelved by A&M Records and was not released until 1996, thirteen years after her death.
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Karen Carpenter struggled with anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder that was not widely understood at the time. Her condition worsened over the years, and she sought treatment in the early 1980s. Despite her efforts, her health continued to decline.
Death[edit | edit source]
Karen Carpenter died on February 4, 1983, at the age of 32, from heart failure caused by complications related to her anorexia nervosa. Her death brought widespread attention to eating disorders and helped to increase awareness and understanding of these conditions.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Karen Carpenter's legacy lives on through her music, which continues to be celebrated by fans around the world. Her voice is often regarded as one of the greatest in pop music history, and she has influenced numerous artists across various genres.
Discography[edit | edit source]
With The Carpenters[edit | edit source]
- Offering (1969)
- Close to You (1970)
- Carpenters (1971)
- A Song for You (1972)
- Now & Then (1973)
- Horizon (1975)
- A Kind of Hush (1976)
- Passage (1977)
- Christmas Portrait (1978)
- Made in America (1981)
Solo[edit | edit source]
- Karen Carpenter (1996)
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
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- 1950 births
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- American women singers
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- Musicians from California
- Deaths from anorexia nervosa
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD