Karen & Richards biography has been told many times in various publications in recent years, and I am sure that my version will bring no surprises. Here in England during the seventies obtaining information & memorabilia was quite difficult, and any items of note were usually to be obtained through the excellent Carpenters U.S.A. based fan club, it is from this source plus Ray Colemans book, "The Untold Story" that I have drawn most of the information for this Biography.

Karen & Richard were born in New Haven Connecticut, Richard on October 15th 1946 and Karen on March 2nd 1950. At a very early age, Richard showed signs of inheriting his father Harolds love of music and enjoyed listening to his record collection, Karen also enjoyed listening to the songs being played in the families basement and would often sing along, becoming adept at learning the lyrics to the hits of the day. During the summer of 1963, the family relocated to the West coast, settling in the Los Angeles suburb of Downey, California. The reasons for the move were probably many but it seems the chief reasons were that Harold, who hated the cold New Haven winters, and believed that the family would enjoy a better quality of life in the Golden State,also his wife Agnes though that Richard would be better placed to peruse a career in music in the west, even at this early stage Richard was beginning to exhibit his talent in this field. After the initial move the family changed house several times, steadily improving their lot despite their difficult finical situation.

Richard continued to study and play piano, and took a series of jobs playing at such diverse Venus at the local Methodist church and Disney Land. Karen began drumming after joining the school marching band and, soon persuaded her parents to buy her her own kit. This was a very unusual instrument for a woman at this time but Karen had a natural affinity, and soon became proficient.

During this early period in their career Richard & Karen were founder members of several different groups; Most notably, The Richard Carpenter Trio with Wes Jacobs, The Summerchimes, and Spectrum with among others, John Bettis, Gary Simms & Danny Woodhams. It was with the first of these that Richard, Karen & Wes won the Hollywood Bowl Battle of the Bands on 24th June 1966.

After "doing the rounds" with the record companies without success, these groups one by one disbanded until finally Richard decided to concentrate on just himself & Karen. The Carpenters as we know them were born.

Once again the Record companies were approached but this time success was close at hand. A Carpenters demo tape managed to find it's way in to the hands of Herb Alpert, co owner of A&M Records. He saw commercial possibilities, and liked Karen's vocals, so on 22nd April 1969 contracts were signed. The Carpenters had at last the recording opportunities they had searched for.

Richard & John Bettis continued there writing partnership, Richard composed the melodies & John provided the lyrics, some of these songs were to see the light of day on the first Carpenters album with A&M titled simply "Offering".

From this first album only one 45rpm single was released, namely a cover of the Beatles hit song "Ticket To Ride". Richard restructured the tune, slowing it right down, turning it in to a ballad that was near perfect for Karen's beautiful voice. The release gave the Carpenters their first taste of chart success, reaching the bottom half of the American Hot 100. What a thrill that must have been for the two youngsters.

It was Herb Alpert who found the duo's next single release, He strongly suggested that Karen & Richard should record a song by Burt Bacharch called "Close To You", at first Richard wasn't too keen but after a time the track began to grow on him and they "cut" the tune. It seems everyone knew it was destined for the top from the start and, they were right, "They Long To Be Close To You" as Richard now titled it spent 4 weeks at the top of the U.S. Chart. Of course there had to be an album to accompany the Number 1 single and its successor "We've Only Just Begun", so in due course the Carpenters second LP also called "Close To You" was recorded. It sold very well indeed and established Richard & Karen's place in the music industry.

The next few years would prove to be the Carpenters golden era, hit single followed hit single and hit album followed hit album. Richard & Karen also won 3 Grammies plus numerous silver & gold discs during this period, not to mention other awards from all over the World. They also continued with their arduous touring schedule, normally playing over 200 dates a year, in cities across the Globe.

By 1975 both Richard & Karen were both beginning to show signs of complete exhaustion. Richard had become dependent on prescription sleeping pills and, Karen was becoming obsessed with her weight, both were in need of rest and relaxation. Richard managed to cure himself of his sleeping problems during 1979 by booking himself in to a clinic for several weeks, and taking the rest of the year out after his discharge. It was during this period that Karen recorded her only solo album. It seems that she had not wanted to remain idle while her brother was out of action, so she enlisted the help of producer Phil Ramone and cut several tracks, however the record was shelved and never released during Karen's life time, rumour has it that neither Richard or Herb Alpert were particularly impressed and, Karen took the decision to record a new Carpenters album with Richard rather than press ahead with her solo project. Sadly that Carpenters album, called "Made In America" would be their last release before Karen's untimely death...

Several sources, including Richard himself now believe that Karen's Anorexia first took hold around late 1975. Karen had always been concerned with her weight, following various diets & fitness routines etc. But during 1976 she began to take her weight control more seriously and began a journey that would prove to be fatal. Many of her friends & Family said how they noticed her drastic weight loss during the late 70's. Several have remarked at her skeletal frame and her lack of energy. Richard has likened the disorder to that of alcoholism, saying that how ever much you berated, yelled at or sympathised with Karen, nothing would divert her from the relentless search to be thin.

Somewhat surprisingly, it was during these stressful times that Karen met and married Tom Burris, sadly the the union was short lived and the couple separated after just over a year of marriage, perhaps with all the pressures that all concerned were experiencing, this is not surprising. Maybe it is even more of a surprise that despite all of her problems Karen still managed to record her solo album, she must have been particularly upset when she made the decision not to release it. Karen must have realised she was in the grip of some eating disorder as she decided to book a course of treatment in New York with Doctor Steven Levenkron. Initially there seemed to be some improvement and Karen actually gained some weight but as we now know Karen died at her parents home in Downey on 4th February 1983.

Yes it was true, Karen was dead. The next day most of our newspapers here in England told of this sad event as headline news. Richard, her family & the rest of us were stunned, how could this have happened? what would we do without that wonderful voice?

Well as the saying goes, time heals, and although she is no longer amongst us, her music lives on, thanks mainly to the love & care Richard has given to his various projects remastering, remixing & restoring the Carpenters catalogue of songs. Since Karen's demise, 3 more Carpenters albums have been released, plus boxed sets and compilations. Many of the tracks included are previously unreleased songs and partially completed projects that Richard has orchestrated and mastered sometimes only utilising Karen's original work lead.

Richard has also found time to release two solo albums and produce other artists such as Akiko Kobayashi & Scott Grimes. Another major undertaking was the making of "The Karen Carpenter Story" in which many of the re-mastered titles were used. This T.V. film topped the viewing chart in the U.S. during the year of its first showing, Richard has managed all this plus looking after his five children with his wife Mary.

During the Nineties, the Carpenters music has been critically reviewed, and is now accepted to be timeless & universal. Several books have been written, charting their career and music. Also just as many T.V. Documentaries have been aired. Sales have also been healthy with compilation releases reaching the top of the charts in Britain and Japan. Also the 1998 "Love Songs" CD gave the duo their highest American chart placing since "Horizon".

Long may the Carpenters legacy survive.