KAREN CARPENTERKaren Carpenter, who died at the age of 32 on 4 February, 1983, was one half of the 1970s pop duo the Carpenters along with her brother Richard.With Richard on piano and Karen providing silky smooth vocals, the group had a string of hits and won three Grammy awards. They had three number ones on the US Billboard Charts and four of their albums went multi-PlatinumKaren was also a skilled drummer and though this talent wasn’t displayed during the duo’s heyday, she played on their early records and inspired a generation of female drummers.She was born in New Haven, Connecticut on 2 March, 1950, four years after her piano prodigy brother. The family moved to Los Angeles to tryto capitalise on Richard’s talents while they were teenagers. There Karen learnt to play the drums with her school’s orchestra.In 1965 Richard formed the Richard Carpenter Trio, a jazz outfit with his sister on drums and a friend on bass. They went on to play together in a group called Spectrum. In 1969 the siblings were signed together by A&M Records and began recording as the Carpenters, releasing the album Offering. The record was later renamed Ticket to Ride after a cover of the Beatles’ song became a single from it.However, the following year they topped the American charts (as well as those around the world) with (They Long to Be) Close to You, a simple love ballad that set the standard for their success over the next decade.Karen was named by Playboy as the ‘Best Rock Drummer’ of 1975, but by this time her popularity as a singer meant during performances audiences wanted to see her at the front of the stage.After years of hit singles, the Carpenters were in huge demand for television and concert appearances, but constantly being on the road and in the spotlight began to take its toll on the members. Richard became addicted to sedative drugs while Karen developed anorexia nervosa.Over the years the disorder weakened her and eventually caused her tragic death. When the details of her condition – believed by some to originate from the constant scrutiny of her by the male gaze of the press – emerged, many other celebrity sufferers were inspired to go public, helping bring anorexia into the public consciousness and helping many victims come to terms with their affliction.
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