The Carpenters’ sound was definitely different. Called pop, easy listening, soft rock, or even jazz, it’s had an uncomfortable seat at the rock ‘n’ roll table. Some thought the duo’s music was too soft to be rock. Others called it “Sunshine Pop.”
However, their rock-star, chart-topping, Grammy-winning success belies the critics. And, increasingly, documentaries discovering the rock ‘n’ roll style of the duo have been produced. These include, ‘Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters’, ‘The Sayonara’, and ‘Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story’.
Karen’s Haunting Voice
Karen Carpenter is one of the greatest female singers of all time. 'Rolling Stone' ranked her 94 out of the “100 Greatest Voices of All Time.” Grammy-winning producer Phil Ramone, with hits by Barbara Streisand, Paul Simon, and Billy Joel, said, “A voice like Karen’s—rich, womanly—comes along once every 20 years.”
Karen teamed up with Ramone in 1979, moving out to New York to work on a solo album with him. He added, “Voices like that should have a chance to do a variety of things.” Sadly, she didn’t live long enough.
The Lost Archives
Shortly after Karen’s death, someone skilled in the art of recovering lost tapes found rare archived footage of the Carpenters’ first TV appearance and other rare recordings. He got in touch with Richard, who allowed him to collect the footage. Hours and hours of tapes were compiled into a VCR recording called 'Yesterday Once More'.
Borrowing the title from one of their albums, the video, which was released in 1985, was a hit. Later, 'Gold', a greatest hits album, was released on the heels of the video success.
Accolades for the Carpenters
The beautifully magical songs of the Carpenters won three Grammy Awards and sold more than 100 million records worldwide. The duo is one of the best-selling rock bands of all time. Despite a short-lived career, they produced 12 top-10 singles and three No. 1 singles. In 1971, the 'Carpenters' took the Grammy for Album of the Year.
The duo also won Record of the Year in 1970 for 'Close to You'. The song “(They Long to Be) Close to You” was awarded a Grammy for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus. Two of their songs gained induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame – “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “(They Long to Be) Close to You.”
Karen’s Enduring Influence
The tragic loss of Karen was not lost on the rock ‘n’ roll world. Artists continue to celebrate her gift to music to this very day. Sonic Youth released “Tunic (Song for Karen)” on their 'Goo' album as a tribute and elegy for the superstar.
Artists who have called Karen an inspiration include such successful singers as Madonna, Sheryl Crow, and Shania Twain. On the album 'If I Were a Carpenter', a tribute album, many artists recorded alt-rock covers of the duo’s top hits.