Karen Carpenter
Also Known As: Karen Anne Carpenter, The Carpenters, Carpenters
Biography: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer who was part of the duo the Carpenters alongside her older brother Richard. She was praised for her contralto vocals, and her drumming abilities were viewed positively by other musicians and critics. Her struggles with eating disorders would later raise awareness of anorexia and body dysmorphia. Carpenter was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and moved to Downey, California, in 1963 with her family. She began to study the drums in high school and joined the Long Beach State choir after graduating. After several years of touring and recording, the Carpenters were signed to A&M Records in 1969, achieving commercial and critical success throughout the 1970s. Initially, Carpenter was the band's full-time drummer, but gradually took the role of frontwoman as drumming was reduced to a handful of live showcases or tracks on albums. While the Carpenters were on hiatus in the late 1970s, she recorded a solo album, which was released years after her death. Carpenter had the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, which was little-known at the time, and was briefly married in the early 1980s. She died at age 32 from heart failure caused by complications related to her illness. Her death led to increased visibility and awareness of eating disorders. Her work continues to attract praise, including being listed among Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers of all time.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Adult: No
Deathday: February 04, 1983
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Known For:
Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection
Overview: Following Karen Carpenter's meteoric climb to stardom in the 1970s and the little-known anorexia nervosa diagnosis that resulted in her untimely death.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-02-10
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Please, Mr. Postman
Overview: A music video for the Carpenters cover of the song, filmed in Disneyland.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-11-01
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The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait
Overview: Richard and Karen Carpenter host a musical celebration of the holiday with celebrity guests Gene Kelly, Georgia Engel, and Jimmy & Kristy McNichol.
Genres: Music TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-12-19
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Herb Alpert Is...
Overview: From the success of Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, through the founding of A&M Records, to giving away more than $150 million to arts and education programs across the country, we’ll witness the humanity and the humility inherent in everything he does, as well as come to understand the power of creativity to entertain, inspire, heal and transform.
Genres: Documentary Music History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2020-10-02
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Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story
Overview: Documentary about brother and sister duo The Carpenters, one of the biggest-selling pop acts of the 1970s, but one with a destructive and complex secret that ended in tragedy.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2007-04-09
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The Carpenters at Christmas
Overview: A christmas special with Harvey Korman and other guests.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-12-01
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The Carpenters: A World of Music
Overview: Karen and Richard Carpenter concluded their 1976 British tour with this specially-recorded programme. Songs include There's A Kind of Hush, I Need to be in Love, Close to You, Strike up the Band, Top of the World, Only Yesterday, I Won't Last a Day Without You, Hurting Each Other, Superstar, Goodbye to Love, We've Only Just Begun and Yesterday Once More.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-12-03
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The Carpenters: Live at the BBC
Overview: The Carpenters' debut BBC concert, recorded on their first British tour in September 1971. They perform hits including Close to You, Superstar and We've Only Just Begun, together with the odd Beatles tune and a Bacharach/David medley. Karen's drumming and Richard's keyboards get instrumental support from their five-piece touring band and a 26-piece orchestra conducted by Johnny Pearson.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-11-06
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The Carpenters: Live in Australia
Overview: The Carpenters concert from May 24th, 1972 in Melbourne that aired on The Seven Network in Australia. The songs performed are Help, Love Is Surrender, Ticket To Ride, For All We Know, Close To You, Cinderella Rockefella, Superstar, Medley (Any Day Now, Baby It's You, Knowing When To Leave, Make It Easy On Yourself, There's Always Something There To Remind Me, Walk On By, Do You Know The Way To San Jose?), Hurting Each Other, We've Only Just Begun.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-06-09
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Carpenters: Gold
Overview: The VHS/Beta Yesterday Once More was released in 1985, shortly after Karen Carpenter's death in 1983. The tape was repackaged as a DVD in 2002 under the name Gold: Greatest Hits, and the DVD contains all the videos from Yesterday Once More.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-04-30
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Carpenters: Christmas Memories
Overview: The Christmas music of the Carpenters is celebrated in this special, which features the influential duo's renditions of such songs as "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland" and "White Christmas."
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-11-26
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Superstar (Song for Karen)
Overview: A tribute to Karen Anne Carpenter, the late American singer, and drummer whose soft, melancholy voice captivated millions.
Genres: Drama Music Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-02-11
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Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights
Overview: In this variety special, Olivia shares the evening with Andy Gibb, Elton John, Ted Knight, Gene Kelly and Toni Tennille. The special included songs from Grease and the Totally Hot album as well as some other artists' covers : the Eagles, Bob Seger, Elton John and Buddy Holly. Olivia also performed a parody of the jazz/blues classic Makin' Whoopee with Gene Kelly, changing the lyrics to Makin' Movies and dealing with Olivia's dream of producing a musical. The show was aired internationally and did very well in the ratings, as did her two previous US television specials on the same network. It is to be noted that Tina Turner's appearance on Olivia's special helped her sign a contract with then Olivia's manager Roger Davies, who ultimately helped her to go back into the spotlight.
Genres: Music TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-04-13
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The Carpenters... Space Encounters
Overview: Take a magical, musical trip through time and space with the Carpenters and their guests... including a "Star Wars/Close Encounters" fantasy that will dazzle and delight you.
Genres: Comedy Music Science Fiction TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-05-17
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The Carpenters Concert: Live at the New London Theatre
Overview: A 1976 performance of the Carpenters at the new London Theatre. Songs performed include 'Superstar', 'We've Only Just Begun', 'Goodbye to Love' and 'Rainy Days and Mondays. ' Songs performed include 'Superstar', 'We've Only Just Begun', 'Goodbye to Love' and 'Rainy Days and Mondays.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-04-21
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Carpenters: Yesterday Once More
Overview: You've heard the Carpenters' greatest hits, but have you seen them? This DVD brings you the first-ever collection of Carpenters videos, featuring their #1 songs (They Long to Be) Close to You; Top of the World , and Please Mr. Postman plus their Top 10 hits We've Only Just Begun; Superstar; Rainy Days and Mondays , and nine more. Great remastered sound and video!
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-06-17
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The Perry Como Christmas Show
Overview: The first of Perry Como's Christmas specials includes appearances by Rich Little and figure skater Peggy Fleming as well as performances by the Carpenters and by Perry Como himself. Also featured a reenactment of the Birth of Jesus Christ.
Genres: Comedy Family Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-12-17
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My Music: A Classic Christmas
Overview: Gavin MacLeod and Marion Ross host a Christmas celebration that features classic performances of popular holiday standards and traditional carols performed, throughout decades past, by an array of artists, including Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, Brenda Lee, Eddy Arnold, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Mitch Miller and the Gang, Gene Autry, Jimmy Boyd, the Supremes, Rosemary Clooney, the Lennon Sisters, Burl Ives, Mahalia Jackson, Mitzi Gaynor, Julie Andrews, the Beach Boys, the Carpenters, Jose Feliciano, the Drifters, Ronnie Spector, the Harry Simeone Chorale, and David Bowie.
Genres: Music Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-11-16
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Paul Williams Still Alive
Overview: Filmmaker and longtime fan Stephen Kessler's portrait of the award-winning 1970s singer-songwriter-actor, who disappeared for much of the 1980s and '90s, but still performs today.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2011-09-11
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The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
Overview: This Bob Hope Special called “Highlights of a Quarter Century” begins his 26th year with NBC in 1975 (he began with NBC radio in 1937) celebrating 25 years of Bob Hope Specials and the many celebrities that appeared on them The clips begin with his very first special, for Frigidaire, on April 9, 1950 and putting his way through the years to 1975
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2001-02-22
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The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
Overview: This Bob Hope Special called “Highlights of a Quarter Century” begins his 26th year with NBC in 1975 (he began with NBC radio in 1937) celebrating 25 years of Bob Hope Specials and the many celebrities that appeared on them The clips begin with his very first special, for Frigidaire, on April 9, 1950 and putting his way through the years to 1975
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2001-02-22
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Carpenters: Live at Budokan
Overview: In 1974, The Carpenters, American brother and sister duo, traveled to Japan for a series of concerts which were part of their World Tour. It shows footage of their airplane arrival, a press conference with Karen and Richard, backstage preparations, short interviews with fans, and finally, their sold out concert.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-01-01
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Close to You: The Story of the Carpenters
Overview: Documentary detailing the career of The Carpenters from their formative years through to specially shot footage of Richard Carpenter in the recording studio today. The film includes interviews with Richard Carpenter, Burt Bacharach, Herb Alpert, Petula Clark, Damon Gough, Kim Gordon and Dionne Warwick Rare archive includes the wedding footage of Karen walking down the isle. —Anonymous
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-08-28
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60 Songs: BBC Two at 60
Overview: A celebration of some of the biggest names in music, offering an epic compilation of 60 songs performed over the past 60 years to celebrate BBC Two's diamond anniversary. All the performances featured originated on BBC Two and have formed an important part of the channel's output over its 60-year history. Featuring such musicians as Joni Mitchell, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Dolly Parton, Stormzy, Sam Smith, Kylie Minogue, Bob Marley, Blondie and Queen.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-04-20
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Mickey's 50
Overview: "Mickey's 50" is a 90-minute special that aired on The Wonderful World of Disney on November 19, 1978. The special was made to commemorate the 50th birthday of Mickey Mouse and highlights many moments in his career.
Genres: Documentary Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-11-19
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