The Carpenters

Richard and Karen Carpenter

The Carpenters were the #1 best selling group in America between 1970 and 1980. A brother and sister instrumental duo, the Carpenters will always be an inspiration to me. Richard and Karen Carpenter had a fresh unique style to their singing and song writing. They have inspired me in many ways that made me want to become a song writer. And their music made me want to play guitar too.

They were both born in New Haven, Connecticut. Richard Lyn was born October 15, 1946 and Karen Anne Carpenter was born March 2, 1950. They both moved with their parents to California in 1963. They settled in Los Angeles. Richard developed his music at a very early age but Karen only became interested in music and the drums in high school.

For their first hit, the Carpenters released the Burt Bacharach-Hal David song, “Close to You.” It rose to #1 and stayed at the top of the charts for four weeks. Their next big hit, “We’ve Only Just Begun” reached #2 to become the Carpenter’s second major hit in the fall of 1970. They had so many hits and so many songs that they were an inspiration to any song writer, including myself. They always had their own style and never copied others. They were original. The Carpenters were an icon back in the 1970’s and they will always be an icon even for this generation.

After Karen’s death, Richard Carpenter continued to produce recordings of their music. Several of their songs had achieved the status of popular standards. Their most famous song “We’ve Only Just Begun” is still played at weddings and receptions and a lot of their other music is still on the radio today. At karaoke bars, they have a selection of their music including the first big hit that made them famous, “Close to You.”

In conclusion, The Carpenters are my hero because they are unique and different. They have something that not every band has. Their fresh new sound made them famous and their song writing is original. They're an inspiration to any songwriter or guitar player. Their music will live on forever. They inspired me in so many ways with songwriting and I thank them for that.