So a brother-and-sister musical act put a few songs out in the world. And kaboom, The Carpenters got hugely popular in the 1970s, ringing up a string of #1 hits, massive radio airplay, and tours around the world.
Karen Carpenter died young in 1983, her body weakened by an eating disorder. Brother Richard shared the story of his sister and their partnership in extended interviews with Mike Cidoni Lennox and Chris May, who relay the story in the book Carpenters: The Musical Legacy.
Richard Carpenter shared more than his stories; the book also includes photographs from his private collection, many never shown to the public before.
We talk with the authors of triumph and tragedy... but mostly, the music.