The Carpenters

vocal and instrumental duo

• Origin: California, United States
• Genres:Pop,soft rock
• Years active:1969 — 1983 (14 years)
• Past members:siblings Karen Carpenter (1950 — 1983, vocal) , Richard Carpenter (born 1946, harmonizing, arranging, composition).
• Features: a distinct, soft, musical style, combining Karen’s contralto （女低音）vocals with Richard’s harmonizing.
• 10 albums and numerous singles.

First success: hit singles “(They Long to Be) Close to You” and “We’ve Only Just Begun” in 1970.(record-breaking run of hit recordings on the American Top 40 and Adult Contemporary charts)

They became leading sellers in the soft rock(軟式搖滾), easy listening, and adult contemporary music genres.

The duo toured continually during the 1970s, which put them under increased strain; Richard took a year off in 1979 after he had become addicted to Quaalude(毒品白板）, while Karen suffered from anorexia nervosa（厭食症）. Their joint career ended in 1983(2/4) when Karen died from heart failure brought on by complications of anorexia.

Songs:

Close to You (1970)

We’ve Only Just Begun (1970)

Rainy Days and Mondays (1971)

Top of The World (1972)

Yesterday Once More (1973)

Please Mr. Postman (1975)

Can’t Smile Without You (1976)