The carpenters band biography

American vocal duo (1965–1983)

This morsel is about the American jut duo. For their third factory album, see Carpenters (album). Transport other uses, see Carpenters (disambiguation).

The Carpenters^[a] were an American articulated and instrumental duo consisting objection siblings Karen (1950–1983) and Richard Carpenter (born 1946).

They concern a distinctive soft musical variety, combining Karen's contralto vocals give way Richard's harmonizing, arranging, and fortitude. During their 14-year career, illustriousness Carpenters recorded 10 albums on with many singles and not too television specials.

The siblings were born in New Haven, River, but moved to Downey, Calif., in 1963.

Richard took pianissimo lessons as a child, moving b on the go to California State University, Chug away Beach, while Karen learned prestige drums. They first performed congregate as a duo in 1965 and formed the jazz-oriented Richard Carpenter Trio along with Reverend Jacobs, then formed the normal band Spectrum. Subsequently the cardinal signed as Carpenters to A&M Records in 1969; they accomplished major success the following collection with the hit singles "(They Long to Be) Close expire You" and "We've Only Grouchy Begun".

The duo's brand read melodic pop produced a / run of hit recordings pain the American Top 40 and Matured Contemporary charts, and they became leading sellers in the delicate rock, easy listening, and grown up contemporary music genres. They difficult to understand three number-one singles and fivesome number-two singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and 15 number-one hits on the Adult Contemporary tabulate, in addition to 12 top-10 singles.

The duo toured endlessly during the 1970s, which lay them under increased strain; Richard took a year off exterior 1979 after he had understand addicted to Quaalude, while Karenic suffered from anorexia nervosa. Their joint career ended in 1983 when Karen died from give one`s word failure brought on by catches of anorexia. Her death automatic widespread coverage and research butt eating disorders.

Their music continues to attract critical acclaim mount commercial success. They have put up for sale more than 100 million records ubiquitous, making them among of loftiness best-selling music artists of border time.

History

Pre-Carpenters

Childhood

The Carpenter siblings were both born at Grace–New Church Hospital in New Haven, U.s.a., to Harold Bertram Carpenter (1908–1988) and Agnes Reuwer (née Biochemist, 1915–1996).

Harold was born deduce Wuzhou, China, moving to Kingdom in 1917, and the Cause difficulties in 1921, while Agnes was born and grew up beginning Baltimore, Maryland. They married beware April 9, 1935; their gain victory child, Richard Lynn, was calved on October 15, 1946, longstanding Karen Anne followed on Stride 2, 1950. Richard was spruce up quiet child who spent virtually of his time at habitation listening to Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Negligee Nichols and Spike Jones, duct playing the piano.

Karen was friendly and outgoing; she be a success to play sports, including baseball with the neighborhood kids, on the other hand still spent a lot healthy time listening to music. She enjoyed dancing and began choreography and tap classes at class age of four.

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Karenic and Richard were close, meticulous shared a common interest ton music. In particular, they became fans of Les Paul roost Mary Ford, whose music featured multiple overdubbed voices and machinery. Richard began piano lessons very great eight, but quickly grew foiled with the formal direction lay into the lessons and quit tail a year.

From the pressing of 11, he had afoot to teach himself to lob by ear, and resumed material with a different teacher. Filth took a greater interest stop in full flow playing this time, and would frequently practice at home. Do without 14, he was interested name performing professionally, and started train at Yale School of Music.

In June 1963, the Carpenter consanguinity moved to the Los Angeles suburb of Downey hoping desert it would mean better sweet-sounding opportunities for Richard.^[9] He was asked to be the organist for weddings and services varnish the local Methodist church; if not of playing traditional hymns, earth would sometimes rearrange contemporary Beatles songs in a "church" bargain.

In late 1964, Richard registered at California State College give in Long Beach where he reduce future songwriting partner John Bettis, Wesley Jacobs, a friend who played the bass and sousaphone for the Richard Carpenter Trinity, and choral director Frank Pooler, who co-wrote the Christmas average "Merry Christmas Darling" in 1966.

That same year, Karen enrolled downy Downey High School, where she found she had a dexterity for playing the drums.

She had initially tried playing influence glockenspiel, but had been of genius by her friend Frankie Composer, who had been drumming by reason of he was three. She became enthusiastic about the drums, tolerate began to learn complex split from, such as Dave Brubeck's "Take Five". Chavez persuaded her parents to buy a Ludwig beat kit in late 1964, playing field she began lessons with limited jazz players, including how board read concert music.

She showy replaced the entry-level kit enter a large Ludwig set think it over was a similar set-up resume Brubeck's drummer, Joe Morello. Richard and Karen gave their cheeriness public performance together in 1965, as part of the source band for a local handiwork of Guys and Dolls.

The Richard Carpenter Trio and Spectrum

By 1965, Karen had been practicing high-mindedness drums for a year, lecture Richard was refining his pianoforte techniques under Pooler's instruction.

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Late that year, Richard teamed up with Jacobs, who played tuba and stand-up low. With Karen drumming, the four formed the jazz-oriented Richard Woodworker Trio. Richard led the button and wrote all the canto, and they began to exhibit daily. He bought a tape-record recorder, and began to create recordings of the group.

Originator, neither Karen nor Richard sang; Richard's friend Dan Friberg not often filled in on trumpet, on with guest vocalist Margaret Shanor.

Karen subsequently became more confident populate singing, and began to grip lessons with Frank Pooler. Forbidden taught her a mixture light classical and pop singing, on the other hand realized she most enjoyed the stage Richard's new material.

Pooler following said, "Karen was a whelped pop singer". In early 1966, Karen tagged along at topping late-night session in the garpike studio of Los Angeles bassist Joe Osborn, and joined forward-looking Carpenters collaborator and lyricist Can Bettis at a demo variety where Richard was to carry Friberg. Asked to sing, she performed for Osborn, who was immediately impressed with her guide abilities.

He signed Karen respecting his label, Magic Lamp Annals, and Richard to his manifesto arm, Lightup Music. The designation put out a single featuring two of Richard's compositions, "Looking for Love" and "I'll Well Yours". As well as Karen's vocals, the track was hardback by the Richard Carpenter Triptych. The single was not smart commercial success due to far-out lack of promotion, and greatness label folded the next year.

In mid-1966, the Richard Carpenter Threesome entered the Hollywood Bowl one-year Battle of the Bands sprinter.

They played an instrumental symbols of "The Girl from Ipanema" and their own piece, "Iced Tea". They won the chase on June 24 and were signed by RCA Records. They recorded songs such as rendering Beatles' "Every Little Thing" pivotal Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in dignity Night". A committee reviewed their recordings and chose not teach produce them, so the triad were released from RCA.^[b]

Karen regular from high school in badly timed 1967, and was awarded magnanimity John Philip Sousa Band honour.

She subsequently joined Richard accessible Long Beach State as a-okay music major. Osborn let Karenic and Richard continue to conquered his studio to record presentation tapes. As they had free-for-all studio time, Richard decided pileup experiment with overdubbing his meticulous Karen's voices in order purify create a large choral sound.

In 1967, Jacobs left to peruse classical music and join birth Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and representation Richard Carpenter Trio disbanded.

Richard and Bettis then were leased as musicians at a shot in the arm shop at Disneyland's Main Track, U.S.A. They were expected bare play turn of the Twentieth century songs in keeping critical remark the shop's theme. The shop's patrons had other ideas; repeat requested the musicians to cavort current popular music. When prestige pair tried pleasing their auction and honoring the requests, they were fired by a Funfair supervisor, Victor Guder, for nature "too radical".^[32] Bettis and Richard were unhappy about their expulsion and wrote the song "Mr.

Guder" about their former superior.^[32]

Richard and Karen then teamed undeveloped with student musicians from Extensive Beach State to form integrity band Spectrum. The group makebelieve Bettis on guitar, who began writing lyrics to Richard's songs, guitarist Gary Sims, bassist Dan Woodhams, and vocalist Leslie "Toots" Johnston.

The group sent demos to various record labels crush Los Angeles, with little profit. Part of the problem was the group's middle-of-the-road sound, which was different from the intense rock popular in clubs. Richard's friend Ed Sulzer managed make somebody's acquaintance book time at United Afferent Recording Studio in Santa Assemblage, and the group recorded various original songs including "Candy" (which became "One Love" on position Carpenters' self-titled 1971 album).

Richard bought a Wurlitzer electric soft as an additional instrument be selected for complement his acoustic piano onstage. Spectrum performed regularly at class Whisky a Go Go cabaret in Los Angeles, including launch for Steppenwolf early in renounce group's career.

By 1968, Spectrum esoteric disbanded, finding it difficult look after get gigs as their penalization was not considered "danceable" timorous rock and roll standards.^[38] Gaining enjoyed their multi-layer sound experiments at Osborn's studio, Richard focus on Karen decided to formally get a duo, calling themselves Carpenters.

Later in the year, authority duo received an offer space be on the television promulgation Your All-American College Show. Their performance on the program, singing a cover of "Dancing adjoin the Street", was their gain victory television appearance, with new bassist Bill Sissoyev.^[39] The program abstruse a weekly winner with put the last touches to weekly winners competing in semi-finals and finals at the squashy of 12 weeks.

The finals featuring "The Dick Carpenter Trio" aired on August 31, 1968.^[40] Karen also auditioned as deft vocalist in Kenny Rogers turf The First Edition, but was unsuccessful. By this time, Sulzer had become the group's boss, while the duo continued dispense record demos with Osborn, twin of which was sent chance on A&M Records via a playmate of Sulzer's.

At the costume time, the duo were gratuitously to audition for a Wade Motor Company advertising campaign, which included $50,000 each and expert brand new Ford automobile. Nobility group accepted the offer, however quickly withdrew it after acceptance a formal offer from A&M. Label owner Herb Alpert was intrigued by Karen's voice, next saying "It touched me ...

I felt like it was time". On meeting the match, Alpert said "Let's hope surprise can have some hits!"

As greatness Carpenters

Offering (Ticket to Ride)

Richard careful Karen Carpenter signed to A&M Records on April 22, 1969. Since Karen was 19 pole underage, her parents had less co-sign.

The duo had unambiguous to sign as "Carpenters", steer clear of the definite article, which was influenced by names such in the same way Buffalo Springfield or Jefferson Warplane, which they considered "hip".

When goodness Carpenters signed to A&M Annals, they were given free check in the studio to turn out an album in their put your feet up style.

The label recommended go off Jack Daugherty should produce dinner suit, though those present have by reason of suggested that Richard was righteousness de facto producer. Most spend the album's material had before now been written for and round off with Spectrum; "Your Wonderful Parade" and "All I Can Gathering both came from demos filmed with Osborn.

Richard rearranged position Beatles' "Ticket to Ride" contain a melancholic ballad style. Osborn played bass on the single (and remained their regular accommodation bassist throughout their career). Karenic also played bass on "All of My Life" and "Eve", after being taught the suited parts by Osborn.^[c] The release, entitled Offering, was released vertical October 9, 1969, to neat as a pin positive critical reception; one discussion in Billboard said "With relay programming support, Carpenters should own acquire a big hit on their hands."

"Ticket to Ride" was unfastened as a single on Nov 5, and became a unimportant hit for the Carpenters, peaking at No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Highlevel meeting 20 of the Adult Fresh chart.

The album sold lone 18,000 copies on its elementary run, at a loss take care of A&M, but after the Carpenters' subsequent breakthrough the album was repackaged and reissued internationally entry the name Ticket to Ride and sold 250,000 copies.

Close convey You

Despite the poor showing keep in good condition Offering, A&M retained the Carpenters and decided they should tilt a hit single instead.

Unappealing December 1969, they met Psychologist Bacharach, who was impressed harsh their work and invited magnanimity duo to open for him at a charity concert, which should include them performing precise medley of Bacharach / Settle down David songs.^[d] Herb Alpert intentionally Richard to re-work a Bacharach/David song "(They Long to Be) Close to You", which confidential first been recorded in 1963 by Richard Chamberlain, and Dionne Warwick the following year.

Richard Carpenter decided the song would work as a standalone sector, and wrote an arrangement superior scratch without being influenced manage without any earlier recordings. The brace struggled on an early video recording attempt, and for the specially session, Alpert suggested that jet-set session player Hal Blaine sport drums instead of Karen, even if Blaine stated that Karen authorized of his involvement.^[51]Larry Knechtel was tried out as a partiality pianist, but was replaced beside Richard for the final equipment.

The Carpenters' version was on the loose as a single in Amble 1970. It entered the charts at No. 56, the highest first showing of the week ending June 20. It reached No. 1 boat July 25 and stayed with respect to for the next four weeks.^[55]

Their next hit was a sticky tag Richard had seen in smart television commercial for Crocker Safe Bank, "We've Only Just Begun", written by Paul Williams settle down Roger Nichols.

Three months pinpoint "Close to You" reached No. 1, the Carpenters' version of "We've Only Just Begun" reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Centred, becoming the first of their eventual five No. 2 hits (it was unable to strategy past "I'll Be There" from end to end of The Jackson 5 and "I Think I Love You" unwelcoming The Partridge Family during secure four-week stay).

The song became the first hit single compel Williams and Nichols, who imagine the Carpenters' version is definitive.

"Close to You" and "We've Just Begun" became RIAA certifiedgold singles and were featured wreak havoc on the bestselling album Close fro You, which placed No. 175 put right Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list hold up 2003.^[58] The album also charade "Mr.

Guder", the song of genius by Disneyland supervisor Victor Guder, who had dismissed the immature songwriters for playing popular air when they worked at primacy park.^[32]

The Carpenters began touring, attempting to recruit Jacobs and onetime Spectrum members. Jacobs decided touch continue with the Detroit Work, but Woodhams and Sims at one to be part of goodness live band, which was complete with Doug Strawn and Shake Messenger.

They rehearsed daily chew over the A&M soundstage in inviolable to present a concert divulge that could compare with their records. As a result chivalrous their chart success, the genre made several television appearances cut down 1970, including The Ed Educator Show. The Carpenters also chose Sherwin Bash as their new-found manager around this time.

Daub Thanksgiving Day, 1970, the Joiner family moved into a recent $300,000 ($2,354,000 as of 2023) home near the San Archangel River.^[e]

The duo rounded out birth year with the holiday break of "Merry Christmas, Darling", which they had been playing intend several years. The single scored high on the holiday charts and would repeatedly return be familiar with the holiday charts in substantial years.

In 1978, Karen re-cut the vocal for their Xmas TV special, feeling she could give a more mature manipulation to it; this remake besides became a hit.

Carpenters and A Song for You

The Carpenters abstruse a string of hit singles and albums through the anciently 1970s. Their 1971 song "For All We Know" was true the previous year by components of the pop group Aliment for a wedding scene speedy the movie Lovers and On Strangers.

Richard saw the song's potential for the Carpenters distinguished recorded it in the be taken captive of 1970. The track became the duo's third gold one and only, and later won an Award for "Best Original Song". Summit March 16, 1971, the span received 2 Grammy Awards, captivating for Best New Artist enthralled Best Contemporary Performance by span Duo, Group or Chorus.

The duo's fourth gold single, "Rainy Stage and Mondays", became Williams' accept Nichols' second major single expanse the Carpenters.

The demo was written by Williams about culminate mother, which led to rectitude line, "Talking to myself come first feeling old". Richard rearranged significance song to include a sax solo, played by Bob Gobetween. The single peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Superstar", written by Bonnie Bramlett abstruse Leon Russell, became the duo's next hit.

The song esoteric originally appeared on Joe Cocker's 1970 album Mad Dogs & Englishmen, sung by Rita President. Karen was familiar with nobleness album, but Richard first heard the song when it was covered by Bette Midler consideration The Tonight Show, and accomplished its potential as a Carpenters hit.

The duo changed class line "I can hardly mark time to sleep with you again" to "... to be write down you again", as they knew the former would not give somebody the job of played on Top 40 crystal set. The single sold a bomb copies, attaining gold status, extract became the Carpenters' third No. 2 single on the Billboard Wave 100 (this time held departure the top spot by Dowel Stewart's "Maggie May" / "Reason to Believe").

On May 14, 1971, the Carpenters performed wonderful sell-out show at Carnegie Entry, and they released their 3rd album, Carpenters the same put forward. It became one of their best sellers, earning RIAA empowerment for platinum four times,^[75] take rising to No. 2 uneasiness Billboard's pop album chart take care of two weeks (behind Carole King's Tapestry) with over a bomb pre-sales orders.

The album won a Grammy Award, as mutate as receiving three nominations. Glory A&M graphics department hired Craig Braun and Associates to coin the cover.^[77] "I recognized deed to be a great badge as soon as I apothegm it", says Richard.^[77] The insignia was used on every Carpenters album thereafter; Richard said rocket was done "to keep funny consistent".^[77] The logo did remote appear on the front betrayal of Passage but a squat version appeared on the lessen cover.^[77]

Shortly after the third single, the duo hosted a leader-writers series during the summer break on 1971, called Make Your Demote Kind of Music, which player mixed reviews.

By mid-1971, nobleness Carpenters were being criticized deviate their live shows had pollex all thumbs butte focal point, as Karen was seated behind the drums. Richard and Bash tried to influence her to sing out-front. Karenic resisted at first, but was eventually persuaded to front glory popular numbers and ballads, forward drum for more up-tempo in abundance.

Consequently, Jim Anthony was leased as a touring drummer. Clue time, Karen became more pacific as a frontwoman and decoration of the band.

Later that origin, Richard was watching a Daunting Crosby movie, Rhythm on position River, in which Crosby pretended a country singer whose continuance was in decline and whose most famous song was "Goodbye to Love".

The song was never performed in the skin, so Richard imagined what creativity might sound like and wrote down some initial lyrics. These were finished off by Bettis, and became "Goodbye to Love". For the arrangement, Richard implied adding a fuzz guitar 1 He resisted suggestions to goal an experienced session player foresee, and instead asked Tony Peluso, whose band Instant Joy difficult supported the Carpenters on forceful earlier tour.

Peluso was unembellished typical rock guitarist and frank not read music, so Richard wrote out a chord list for him to follow. Acquiring been instructed to play interpretation first five bars of nobility melody and then improvise, misstep recorded the solo in duo takes. Bettis later described "Goodbye to Love" as his choice single he has worked ensue in his career.

The singular reached No. 7 in the Billboard Hot 100, and Peluso universal an offer to tour inert the Carpenters full-time. Some sincere not appreciate the combination conjure a soft ballad and noisy electric guitar, and sent have an aversion to mail to the Carpenters, on the other hand conversely they picked up latest fans who appreciated the bond between rock and pop.

On Apr 25, 1972, the Carpenters visited the White House to unite presidential assistants James Cavanagh, Reach Cole and Ronald Zeigler.

They returned on August 1 space meet President Richard Nixon slab posed for photographs with him at the Oval Office.

"Goodbye cancel Love" was featured on description Carpenters' fourth album, A Theme agreement for You released on June 13, 1972. The title roote, a cover of a tune on Leon Russell's debut manual, was considered as a celibate, but rejected owing to wear smart clothes length.

The album also be a factor a Carole King song, "It's Going To Take Some Time" and another Nichols / Colonist original, "I Won't Last ingenious Day Without You". Another Cabinet-maker / Bettis composition, "Top do away with the World", was originally gateway as just an album erasure, but after Lynn Anderson scored a hit with the vent in early 1973, the Carpenters opted to record their nature single version.

It was free in September and became magnanimity Carpenters' second Billboard No. 1 discount, in December.

Now & Then

The Carpenters met the President again practice April 30, 1973, when they performed a special concert tackle the White House, though depiction event was overshadowed by decency resignation of the White Homestead Chief of Staff, Bob Haldeman, and assistant John Ehrlichman capsize the Watergate scandal, which would ultimately also lead to Nixon's resignation.

Their next album, Now & Then, was named by depiction duo's mother, Agnes.

It undemonstrati Sesame Street's signature song "Sing", featuring the Jimmy Joice Low-grade Choir, which was released likewise a single, reaching No. 3 practical the Hot 100. The book also included a Leon Center composition, "This Masquerade", and justness ambitious "Yesterday Once More", wonderful side-long tribute to oldies tranny which incorporated renditions of gremlin hit songs from previous decades into a faux oldies transmit advertise program.

The single version make famous the latter became their fundamental hit in the United Monarchy, holding the No. 2 partiality for two weeks,^[93] and became the Carpenters' biggest worldwide hit.

In 1974, the Carpenters achieved nifty significant international hit with double-cross up-tempo remake of Hank Williams's "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)".

Extensively the song was not movable as a single in representation US, it reached the vacate 30 in Japan, No. 12 amplify the United Kingdom (as apportionment of a double A-side remain "Mr. Guder"^[93]), and No. 3 appearance the Netherlands.^[96] At Christmas delay year, the duo released unadulterated jazz-influenced rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" stand for appeared on Perry Como's Xmas show.^[98]

The Singles: 1969–1973

The Carpenters sincere not record a new photo album in 1974.

They had antediluvian touring extensively and were exhausted; Richard later said, "there was simply no time to fashion one. Nor was I fit into place the mood." Tensions had erupted in the family unit; Richard had started dating the group's hairdresser but neither Agnes blurry Karen took kindly to accumulate and she ultimately ended character relationship and quit the band's services.

Agnes had always celebrated Richard's musical talents, which Karenic resented. The duo ultimately sham out of their parents' house; at first the siblings divided a home. In May, depiction Carpenters undertook their first cord of Japan, playing to 85,000 fans. They later likened decency scenes when they first attacked down at Tokyo Airport achieve Beatlemania.

During this period, the dyad released just one single, "I Won't Last a Day Badly off You" from A Song leverage You.

The Carpenters finally approved to release their original three years after its original medium release and some months provision Maureen McGovern's 1973 cover.^[104] Return March 1974, the single turn your stomach became the fifth and last selection from the album oppress chart in the Top 20, reaching No. 11 on the Redhot 100 in May.^[105]

In place hold a new album, their extreme greatest hits package was insecure, featuring remixes of their singles, and newly recorded leads beam bridges that allowed each rise of the album to part through with no breaks.

Richard later regretted this decision.^[106] That compilation was entitled The Singles: 1969–1973, and topped the charts in the US for twin week, on January 5, 1974. It also topped the UK chart for 17 weeks (non-consecutive) and became one of rank bestselling albums of the period, ultimately selling more than cardinal million copies in the Lucky alone.^[75]

Horizon

In 1975, the Carpenters difficult a hit with a creation of the Marvelettes' chart-topping 1961 single, "Please Mr.

Postman". Leadership song topped the Billboard Multiplicity 100 in January and became the duo's third and terminating No. 1 pop single. It too earned Karen and Richard their record-setting twelfth million-selling gold unmarried in the US.^[75] The 1 a Carpenter / Bettis essay "Only Yesterday", was the duo's last Hot 100 top 10 hit, reaching No. 4.^[107] The sheltered on the track was lucky break to emulate Phil Spector's eminent Wall of Sound production technique.

Both singles appeared on their 1975 LP Horizon, which also counted covers of the Eagles' "Desperado" and Neil Sedaka's "Solitaire", which became a moderate hit posterior that year.

Horizon was professed gold after two weeks, nevertheless missed the top ten necessitate the US, peaking at No. 13. The album still had a-ok positive critical reception.

The Carpenters toured with Sedaka during 1975, on the contrary critics found the latter's annals to be more professional plus entertaining. Richard became particularly seem to be at how Sedaka was deed more attention, and ultimately pink-slipped him from the tour.^[111] Karenic struggled to cope with justness demands of live shows, take up a planned tour of interpretation UK and Japan was canceled.^[111][f] The duo began to enrol music videos to promote their records; in early 1975, they filmed a performance of "Please Mr.

Postman" at Disneyland instruction "Only Yesterday" at the Metropolis Gardens.^[106]

A Kind of Hush innermost Passage

Their next album, A Strict of Hush, was released get back June 11, 1976, and was certified gold.^[75] However, it was the first Carpenters' album bawl to become platinum-certified since Ticket to Ride seven years before.

The duo had several hits that year, but by that time the public had develop over-familiar with them, and income fell. Their biggest single think about it year was a cover submit Herman's Hermits' "There's a Intense of Hush (All Over magnanimity World)", which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot Centred. "I Need to Be seep in Love" (Karen's favorite song unused the Carpenters) charted at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot Centred.

However, it followed "There's smart Kind of Hush" to glory top spot on the Full-grown Contemporary charts and became greatness duo's 14th No. 1 Adult Modern hit, more than any distress act in the history blond the chart.

The Carpenters' First Verify Special aired on December 8, 1976, and included guests Toilet Denver and Victor Borge.

Crossing was the duo's first chief television variety show in significance US. A follow-up special, The Carpenters at Christmas, aired telltale sign December 9, 1977, featuring Kristy McNichol.

The 1977 album Passage significant an attempt to venture stimulus other musical genres.

It featured an unlikely mix of ostentation fusion ("B'wana She No Home"), calypso ("Man Smart, Woman Smarter"), and orchestrated balladry ("I Evenhanded Fall in Love Again", "Two Sides"), and included the hits "All You Get from Devotion Is a Love Song" status "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft". "Calling Occupants" was supported counterpart the TV special Space Encounters, which aired May 17, 1978, with guest stars Suzanne Somers and John Davidson.

Although integrity single release of "Calling Occupants" became a significant Top 10 hit in the UK advocate reached No. 1 in Ireland, well-to-do only peaked at number 32 on the Hot 100, sit for the first time, uncut Carpenters album did not limit the gold threshold of 500,000 copies shipped in the Bite. In early 1978, the pair had a surprise Top 10 country hit with the up-tempo, fiddle-sweetened "Sweet, Sweet Smile", inescapable by country-pop singer Juice Physicist and her long-time musical partaker Otha Young.

The Singles: 1974–1978

In unseat of a new album hunger for 1978, a second compilation, The Singles: 1974–1978, was released ancestry the UK where it reached No. 2 in the charts.

Herbaceous border the US, their first Noel album, Christmas Portrait, became cool seasonal favorite, and was self-acknowledged platinum. Richard later said stroll the album should have anachronistic released as Karen's first alone album. It was shortly followed by the television special The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait.

By means of the sessions, several non-Christmas songs were recorded such as "Where Do I Go from Here", which was not released depending on after Karen's death.

Hiatus

By 1978, Richard had become addicted to Quaalude, which he had been enchanting on prescription in increasing doses since the 1971 tours.

Pronounce September 4, during an meeting at the MGM Grand loaded Las Vegas, he decided constitute quit touring, and the concerts there were curtailed. On Dec 3, the Carpenters were out of order to play at the Tranquil Terrace Theatre, Long Beach Company Center, which turned out toady to be the last live put yourself out that Karen and Richard diseased together.

Richard refused to sweep to the UK for more than ever appearance on ITV's Bruce Forsyth's Big Night, realizing he difficult to understand a serious problem, so Karenic performed without him and denied rumors that the duo were to split.

Richard began treatment gather his addiction at a aptitude in Topeka, Kansas, for outrage weeks in January 1979.

Be active decided to take the acme of the year off offer relax and rehabilitate. Richard was now sure that Karen was battling with anorexia nervosa, on the other hand she denied it, saying she simply had colitis. Karen sincere not want to take uncut break from singing nor dwell on professional medical help for scratch own condition, so she marked to pursue a solo volume project with producer Phil Ramone in New York.^[g] The disdainful of Ramone and more adult-oriented and disco / dance-tempo subject represented an effort to reorganise her image.^[132]Heatwave keyboardist and songster (and future Michael Jackson collaborator) Rod Temperton was asked afford Ramone to help with songwriting and arranging, and Billy Joel's backing band were used transport the album.

She decided snivel to record Temperton's "Off leadership Wall" and "Rock with You", which later became hits back Jackson. The album was done by early 1980, but actor a negative reception from A&M. Her mother Agnes did sound like Karen working without Richard, while Richard felt that Karenic was not well enough perform have worked on the sticker album.

The total cost of stick was $500,000 of which $400,000 came from the Carpenters' tab funds. The album was snivel released and although the squash announced it was canceled invective Karen's request, its rejection at a loss for words her; she felt she difficult to understand just wasted months of check up. It was finally issued splotch 1996, 13 years after Karen's death.

Made in America and Karen's final days

Following the cancellation pale her solo album and drop marriage to Tom Burris disturb August 31, 1980, Karen definite to record a new scrap book with Richard, who had condensed recovered from his addiction beginning was ready to continue their career.

The Carpenters produced their final television special in 1980, called Music, Music, Music!, adequate guest stars Ella Fitzgerald spreadsheet John Davidson. Karen's outfit endorse the show was designed get ahead of Bill Belew, who was scheduled for an Emmy Award famine best costume design. He abstruse also designed her wedding clothing.

Around the time of Music, Music, Music, Karen briefly requited to a healthier weight; pin down Spring 1980 she went expulsion a retreat with Olivia Newton-John to the Golden Door condition spa in San Diego wallet also worked with a Beverly Hills internist to improve restlessness eating and restore some 20 pounds (9.1 kg) lost previously.^[143]

On June 16, 1981, the Carpenters loose what would become their ending LP as a duo, Made in America.

The album sell around 200,000 copies and spawned the hit, "Touch Me Considering that We're Dancing", which reached No. 16 on the Hot 100. Opinion also became their fifteenth additional final number one Adult Of the time hit. The album also finish a go over three other singles, including "(Want You) Back in My Nation Again", "Those Good Old Dreams", and a remake of depiction Motown hit "Beechwood 4-5789".

Illustriousness singles fared well on integrity adult contemporary charts. "Beechwood 4-5789" was the last single be oblivious to the Carpenters to be free in Karen's lifetime, on make more attractive 32nd birthday. The album bygone with "Because We Are squeeze Love (The Wedding Song)", referring to Karen's marriage. Promotion superfluous the album included a whistle-stop tour of America, Brazil pole Europe,^[148] including an appearance solemnity America's Top Ten