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“Why do stars suddenly appear, every time you are near? Just like me they long to be close to you. ”
Growing up in the seventies there was no smoother female voice than that of Karen Carpenter.
Karen , along with her brother Richard made up one of the most popular singing duos of all time.
During their 14-year career, the Carpenters recorded 11 albums, 31 singles, five television specials, and a short- lived television series.
My first Carpenters album was the one pictured above. I bought this album for $1 at a garage sale at the home of Bro. Paul Padgett of Magee. I’m sure the album had belonged to one of his daughters. The album was , and still is in mint condition.
After the purchase of that first album I was a Carpenters fan. Richard’s arraignments coupled with Karen’s soft as silk voice, was like a gift sent from Heaven.
Karen was an accomplished drummer who never felt comfortable front and center stage.
A tabloid writer once wrote of Karen’s stage presentation that she looked “fat”.
Karen took the criticism to heart. She spent the remainder of her life doing fad diets and laxatives even when physicians advised against it.
Karen began to suffer from anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by low weight and constant wishing to be thin.
Karen died of a heart attack due to dangerously low weight on February 4, 1983 at the home of her parents.
The world lost a beautiful voice that day. I had just arrived for an air shift at 101 / WKNZ when I heard the news. We played Carpenters tunes most all the rest of the day.
If you or someone you know need help with an eating disorder please call (888) 660-8170. This is the National Eating Disorder Hotline, they can help!
Don Walker
ddwalker88@comcast.net
