Remembering Karen Carpenter

kc1.jpg23 years ago, on February 4th, 1983, Karen Carpenter suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed onto the floor of her parent’s home in Downey, California. She was 32. Years of dieting, laxatives, and thyroid pills had weakened poor Karen’s heart.  It is ironic to note that Karen had actually started to turn her life around and was coming to terms with the demons that caused her anorexia nervosa.  Unfortunately for Karen, it was too late.

I was a huge Carpenters fan in the 70s and early 80s. My first album of theirs was A Kind of Hush.  Karen’s soulful voice was amazing! Listening to her recordings today, I swear you can hear her actual pain and anguish in such songs as Rainy Days and Mondays and Good-Bye to Love. Even in her happy song, Sing, I hear a touch of sadness.  The greatest sadness of all is that such a great talent has been silenced… 23 years ago today.

My Karen Carpenter Autograph

Karen Carpenter.jpg

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40 thoughts on “Remembering Karen Carpenter”

  1. Hi Scott,

    My name is Rick Henry. I’m the developer of the web site The Carpenters Online. I really enjoyed reading your tribute to Karen Carpenter. She truly was (and still is) one of the most fantastic vocalists to ever live.

    I’ve read other parts of your site and really enjoy it. I wish you the besty on losing weight. It can be tough be stick to it. You will eventually lose the weight.

    Sincerely,
    Rick Henry

  3. I never knew Karen Carpenter. I only
    knew her voice which is why I remember
    her. I like to listen to her voice
    every one and a while. It is sad that
    she is not here for us to hear her.

  4. Many of us, whose life is a game of “Solitaire” loved that beautiful
    voice. Thank you Karen.

  5. Karen has been missed all these years for sure…what a sweet and pure voice she had. A friend of mine has remade one of the songs Karen made famous, “We’ve Only Just Begun”. Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/sandyzio. Hopefully you’ll feel she has done it justice. It’s definitely a different more modern feel though.

    Thanks,
    DJTOONZ

  6. I am Chinese , my English is not very good. On February 5 , 2007 I have come her across. Since I deeply love at that time right away have mounted her. Yes, that day is her anniversary of death back day.There is a music program being called “Go West” to introduce a little Euramerican music and the music people always. Their famous song and the Karen all one’s life having introduced a few in the program. Just begin to just feel their song is pleasant to hear. I have had no but being thinking of absolutely , Karen has left us forever unexpectedly because of fastidium. From that, I keep on listening to their song , I find that, the Karen sound of singing is unique be able to comfort my intelligent thing. (At that time I am in when grieved because of some cause). I still listen to their song now every day , I make great efforts to collect their all gramophone record in course of. I think of , I must go to the Karen graveyard if one day, bend down hold a memorial ceremony for her once. Very happy cognition you this is same love the Karen friend. Come China to go sight-seeing oh welcoming you! Best wishing!

  7. Hi!

    Scott you are simply the best, I guess that if KC could see your sweet memories she maybe be as thankfull as me.

    a very big Carpenter-kiss

  9. wow! that ws refreshing. i loved(still love) karen carpenter in every way possible. i especially love thier song ‘top of the world’. it nice of u 2 file a memoir like that. i didn’t exactly how she died.(i was born after that)
    thnx

  10. wow! that ws refreshing. i loved(still love) karen carpenter in every way possible. i especially love thier song ‘top of the world’. it nice of u 2 file a memoir like that. i didn’t know exactly how she died.(i was born after that)
    thnx

  12. I am in love with the sound of Karen's voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her.

    RIP Karen Carpenter

  13. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  14. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  15. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  16. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  17. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  18. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  19. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  20. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  21. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  22. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  23. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  24. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  25. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  26. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  27. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  28. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  29. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  30. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  31. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  32. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  33. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  34. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  35. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  36. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  37. I am in love with the sound of Karen’s voice. There will never be a match to the quality and smooth, pure tone of her voice. She sounds like she was a wonderful person, wish I could have met her. nnRIP Karen Carpenter

  38. I like in relation to song on right here. Will be matter with my home? Hug the Girl may be the best, though. WE even had that certain on my mp3 player. Pertaining to, like, heavy lifting in the gym. Avoid, that’s precisely what it was…

  40. I met Karen when I was 12, in 1972. One of those things just burned into my memory. Very sweet, very much the girl next door type.

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