The Carpenters’ Richard Carpenter Paid Tribute to Karen 40 Years after Her Death: Now He Has Another Life

• Forty years have passed since The Carpenters’ vocalist Karen died.

• Karen’s brother Richard focused on the family after tragedy: now he is a father.

• Although the band stopped its work, Karen’s brother always keeps her legacy very much alive.

The Carpenters were one of the biggest bands in the 1970s and 1980s with hits like “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” and “Yesterday Once More.” They remained together until the vocalist, Karen passed away 40 years ago.

Both members of the band suffered in their personal lives, but when Karen died, her brother, Richard Carpenter, placed his focus on his family. He has now built his own family and is a father.

Richard and Karen were the two members that made up the band, for which they used their surnames. Karen was a drummer and vocalist and well known for her incredible singing voice, which enchanted millions.

Richard is three years Karen’s senior and was a piano prodigy from a young age. Both siblings decided to pursue a career in music early on in their lives. Karen admitted she was nervous about performing in public but got lost in the music so she wouldn’t think about her nerves.

Karen was in an all-girl band comprising Karen and two other girls in her school. They called the band Two Plus Two, but it didn’t last long because Karen suggested her brother join it. Two Plus Two then disbanded.

Karen and Richard then formed The Carpenter Trio, which comprised the siblings and Richard’s friend, Wes Jacobs. A&M Records signed the band as The Carpenters in 1969, and their music career soared.

While their professional lives were doing better than ever, their personal lives had fallen by the wayside, leaving them both single. Karen said:

“As long as we’re on the road most of the time, I will never marry.”

However, Karen pursued many relationships with men like Tony Danza, Mike Curb, Mark Harmon, Terry Ellis, Alan...