Karen Carpenter
May 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983
Karen Carpenter was a drummer and singer who gained tremendous fame during the ’70s when she and her brother, Richard Carpenter performed as The Carpenters. When Karen was in high school, she took an interest in the drums and quickly learned she was a naturally gifted player like her brother was on the piano. After a lot of practice she and her Richard began performing together. In 1965, they formed a jazz group they called the Richard Carpenter Trio, but in 1968, they couldn’t deny Karen’s tremendous voice, so they began to focus more on pop music. Karen and Richard were signed by A&M Records in 1969 as The Carpenters, and within just one year, they began releasing a string of singles that went on to become some of the most memorable pop songs of the era. Songs like “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Top of the World,” “Close To You,” and “Yesterday Once More” helped define the ’70s as the duo went on to sell millions of singles and albums. Sadly however, Karen suffered quietly with what would later be called anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder that lead her to diet frequently. The late ’70s were troublesome for Karen, but after at least one failed relationship and years of battling her inner demons, she was ready to kick-start her career by the early ’80s. But unfortunately, her eating disorder had already resulted in irreversible damage to her organs. On February 4, 1983, Karen Carpenter died of heart failure which was attributed to her anorexia nervosa. She was 32 years old.
What You Should Own
Great article – and thanks for linking to the video.
my whole life people has told me i look just like karen.people i dont even know at differant places.so i look her i wish i did when she was i live.shes so pretty,i dont see me as being pretty.i do wish i could of meet her.iam very sad for her and family!! god bless u all. robin
I’m 38, I don’t really remember when The Carpenters were big. But i do remember when Karen died. I was kinda shocked to hear that she died. And i was sad at the same time. Rest In Peace. A ☆ On Earth A ☆ In Heaven.
I have been a Carpenters fan since they first began got most of their records and cds in my own collection.
I still do miss Karen a awful lot because she was a angel to everyone.