Karen Carpenter

Karen Carpenter (b. March 2, 1950 in New Haven, Connecticut - d. in Febuary 4, 1983 Downey, California) was a pop singer, best known as one half of The Carpenters, along with her brother, Richard Carpenter.

Young Karen was born in New Haven, Connecticut and moved with her family to Downey, California in 1963. Along with her brother Richard, they both decided to play in a trio band along with a friend named Wes Jacobs. In 1966, The three won a contract for RCA Records at a battle of the bands at Hollywood Bowl. However, after two albums that did not get release, The three broke up. However, both Carpenters stayed together and formed another band along with four other students at California State Unversity. But this band also disbanded. In 1970, they sent in a demo at A&M Records, and soon were signed.

The Carpenters soon became one of the most successful singing groups in the 1970s, with Karen on drums and lead vocals and Richard on piano. They both won two Grammy Awards. However, no one knew that Karen was suffering anorexia nervosa. It was later broke out after the cancelation at the Carpenters' European tour because Karen was too weak to perform.

After time a time in the hospital, she went back to recording with Richard and recorded, Touch Me When We're Dancing. But Karen was unable to shake off the disorder and callapsed during recording.

In 1983, when staying at her parents' house, she suddenly gotten cardiac arrest. She was pronounced dead on the spot at the age of thirty-two. Doctors revealed that the anorexia nervosa had stressed her heart to give out.

With her brother Richard, they together have a "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.