Karen Carpenter

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American singer and drummer (1950–1983)

Birth name	Karen Anne Carpenter
Also known as
Born	(1950-03-02)March 2, 1950 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Origin
Died	February 4, 1983(1983-02-04) (aged 32) Downey, California, U.S.
Genres	Pop, soft rock
Occupation(s)	Singer, drummer
Instrument(s)	Vocals, drums

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

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

The Carpenters

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

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

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

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

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

With The Carpenters

• 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

• Karen Carpenter (1996)

See also

• The Carpenters
• Richard Carpenter (musician)
• Anorexia nervosa
• A&M Records