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.
Categorizing the Carpenters
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'.
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.”
Sold Out Shows
The Carpenters toured diligently. Their concert schedule from 1971 to 1975 included well over 100 shows each year. In 1974, they played 208 shows. The largest show took place at the Ohio State Fair in 1971. The summer show brought in over 50,000 people to see the duo play. One of the most significant gigs was their performance at the 1972 Academy Awards show. They performed “Bless the Beasts and the Children.” It was beautiful; however, they were criticized for lip-syncing the song.
Once again, they were ahead of their time. In 1976 they recorded a live show at the prestigious London Palladium. Their popularity is amazing. “The Karen Carpenter Story,” a CBS documentary made after her death in 1988, was the highest-rated TV movie of the year.
The Carpenters Played the White House
With 11 gold records between them, the Carpenters were invited to perform at the White House annual State Dinner in May of 1973. President Richard Nixon appreciated the duo for more than just their music. Maybe he was drawn to them as Southern California neighbors, too, but he took the opportunity to have them as guests and praise them for their contributions to cancer research.
Karen, 22-years-old at the time, chaired the national youth American Cancer Society. It was a huge honor for the adorable sibling duo, but it didn’t help their goody-two-shoes reputation, or as Richard called it, “goody-four-shoes.”