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Karen Carpenter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer who was part of the duo the Carpenters alongside her older brother Richard. She was praised for her contralto vocals, and her drumming abilities were viewed positively by other musicians and critics. Her struggles with eating disorders would later raise awareness of anorexia and body dysmorphia. Carpenter was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and moved to Downey, California, in 1963 with her family. She began to study the drums in high school and joined the Long Beach State choir after graduating. After several years of touring and recording, the Carpenters were signed to A&M Records in 1969, achieving commercial and critical success throughout the 1970s. Initially, Carpenter was the band's full-time drummer, but gradually took the role of frontwoman as drumming was reduced to a handful of live showcases or tracks on albums. While the Carpenters were on hiatus in the late 1970s, she recorded a solo album, which was released years after her death. Carpenter had the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, which was little-known at the time, and was briefly married in the early 1980s. She died at age 32 from heart failure caused by complications related to her illness. Her death led to increased visibility and awareness of eating disorders. Her work continues to attract praise, including being listed among Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers of all time.


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Born:
Mar 2, 1950 In New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Movie/TV Credits:
12
First Appeared:
In the series The Carol Burnett Show 1967-09-11
Latest Project:
Movie Herb Alpert Is... 2020-10-02
Known For
Poster of My Music: A Classic Christmas
Poster of Carpenters: DVD Gold
Poster of Carpenters: Yesterday Once More
Poster of The Carpenters Concert: Live at the New London Theatre
Filmography
Movie Herb Alpert Is... Archival footage 2020-10-02
Movie My Music: A Classic Christmas Self - The Carpenters (archive footage) 2019-11-16
Movie Moose the Movie Crying Woman 2015-04-24
Movie Paul Williams Still Alive Self (archive footage) 2011-09-11
Movie Carpenters: DVD Gold 2002-04-30
Movie Carpenters: Yesterday Once More Herself 1985-06-17
Movie Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights Self 1980-04-13
Movie The Carpenters... Space Encounters Self 1978-05-17
Movie The Carpenters at Christmas Self 1977-12-01
Movie The Carpenters Concert: Live at the New London Theatre Herself 1976-04-21
Movie The Perry Como Christmas Show Herself 1974-12-17
Series The Carol Burnett Show Unknown 1967-09-11