Karen Carpenter is one of my favorite singers of all time. Her three-octave contralto voice was completely unique, filled with both warmth and deep longing. She moved to Downey, California in 1963 and attended high school there. Less than 30 minutes from Disneyland, it was apparently a place she enjoyed visiting. This image shows her performing on the Tomorrowland Stage at Disneyland in 1974. Her brother Richard’s back is to the camera. The outfit she is wearing could be the same one she wore in the music video she made at the Park for “Please Mr. Postman.” Originally recorded by the Marvelettes in 1961, the Carpenters put their spin on it in late 1974, taking it to the top of the charts in early 1975.
Sadly, Karen died at the age of 32 after battling an eating disorder (while her brother worked on breaking his dependence on Quaaludes). Fortunately, the magic of her voice lives on.
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Tragic, and avoidable. How sad to pass that young. That is some great footage during that song. I had to rewatch it a few times. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA nice post. Her voice and their music was definitively a part of my formative period in life. When I hear their music, it takes me back to those times. KS
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