KAREN CARPENTER; BLOG # 2024; MARCH 18, 2016

THE MESSAGE:

The tragic early demise of Karen Carpenter reveals the importance of motherly love and public perception. In high school Karen was called chubby. These pictures from her high school yearbook confirm why.




















Later Karen Carpenter began dieting probably as a result of her teenage somatotyping. When she slimmed down from 145 to 120 lbs., her friends and family praised her weight loss. But Karen continued her quest and in the mid-1970s she had reached a skeletal 90 pounds and was struggling with anorexia.

We may never know who  broke her heart or the actual causes of her anorexia and the underlying turmoil that resulted in her  eventual death. What is undeniable is that she had incredible talent and energy. It is clear to me that her musical messages reveal a tremendous sense of sadness and loss. Many of her songs were a poignant metaphor of Karen's life.

THE NEW LONDON CONCERT 1976 

This Concert is truly entertaining and fascinating to watch and reveals a true image of Karen's reality. At one point she appears on stage looking extremely thin in a Lead Sister shirt and performs a drum routine requiring, what appears to be, tremendous energy.

Randy Schmidt,  in his book entitled Little Girl Blue, presents a profile of Karen's life. A synopsis of his work is included below.


KAREN ANNE CARPENTER 
(MARCH 2, 1950 – FEBRUARY 4, 1983)

Karen was an American singer and drummer. With  her brother, Richard,  they formed the 1970s duo 'The Carpenters'. 

Although her skills as a drummer  were considerable, she became a pop artist because of her unique vocal performances. Richard in his own right, was a talented pianist and musical production genius. He brought out the best in his sister and was deeply saddened by her early death at age 32 from heart failure caused by chronic anorexia.

LITTLE GIRL BLUE BY RANDY SCHMIDT

An intimate profile of one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century, this first full-length biography of Karen Carpenter details every aspect of her life, from her modest Connecticut upbringing and her rise to stardom in southern California to the real story of her tragic, untimely death. This illuminating depiction of a 1970s icon covers her time as lead singer of the Carpenters—the top-selling American musical act of the decade—and provides insight into a string of 16 consecutive top-20 hits, including "Close to You," "We've Only Just Begun," "Top of the World," and "Superstar," as well as a critical review of her aborted solo career. 

A behind-the-scenes look into the life of a superstar, from the prolific recordings and the relentless touring to the awards, fame, and fortune, this history also chronicles her struggle with anorexia nervosa and gives important new details from her autopsy that shed new light on her death at age 32. Groups such as Sonic Youth and the Corrs and artists including K.D. Lang and Madonna have cited Karen Carpenter among their major influences.  This definitive biography, based on exclusive interviews with nearly 100 of her friends and associates, is a testament to her brief yet remarkable life.

REMEMBER ME

I harken back to the 70's and am amazed at how much I had not realized about Karen Carpenter. I knew that she had a magnificent voice that had captured the hearts of many; however, in breaking out some of my old records of the Carpenters, I listened to them with a new awareness of her reality. Indeed her voice was extraordinary and melodic, but there was something more. I was forced to go to U tube to watch her presentations. What I learned  is that her lyric phrasings are a 'medium' each with its own 'message'. They portray a genuine sense of commitment and introspection. Her songs are meaningful but her delivery is awesome. Throughout her musical repertoire I found myself captivated and wrapped  up in a tremendous mix of feelings, peace, understanding, gentleness, soul, melancholy and compassion. Karen Carpenter belongs at the top of any list ever compiled of great female vocalists. 

THE QUESTION: 

(rhetorical)

Is it true that the good die young?

THE QUOTE:

"We've Only Just Begun," - THE CARPENTERS














THE LEMON:

To Karen's mother, Agnes, who apparently deprived her of the love she really needed. Karen started out on a lonely journey of weight loss that finished with her untimely demise. 

Agnes wouldn't allow Karen to call of her wedding to a creepy Real Estate dude. Agnes said all the wedding invitees were prepared to celebrate and they must not be disappointed.






THE CLIP: