The Carpenters: The Untold Story: An Authorized Biography

by Ray Coleman

Book Overview

A biography of The Carpenters that reveals the truth behind their public image and the consequences of stardom that contributed to Karen's tragic death in 1983. The author, with the support of Richard and the Carpenter family, explores the public and private lives of these pop music superstars.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060183454
• ISBN13: 9780060183455
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 359 Pages
• Weight: 1.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Triumphant And Tragic Story Of An Unforgettable Group.

I honestly don't know if the reader below is mocking The Carpenters or simply criticizing them, but I feel it's an unfair and biased review, and one that makes me wonder if this person is anything BUT a Carpenters fan? I read this book when it was first issued almost 10 years ago, and even today, the story contained within its pages has long since stuck with me. I certainly didn't detect any "kissing up" to The Carpenters, as the previous reader mentions. In fact, I found it to be a well researched, in-depth, most informative book on one of the finest female singers of the '70's, and her genius brother. From their humble childhood days in New Haven, CT, to their move to California and the fame that would ultimately take them the world stage, this is by far the definitive Carpenters biography (and sadly the only one) that has ever been written. Sure, there have been other books which speak of The Carpenters contribution to popular music, but none of them go quite as deep into detail as this one does. Also, I don't know what the other reader means when he says that it was The Carpenters fault because their career stalled. Well, doesn't that happen to EVERY artist at one point or another? Elvis went through a slow period, Neil Diamond, John Denver... It wasn't just them that experienced a slow period. It's safe to say that every musician has released that "dud" album that was a blight on their career. It's no seceret that almost every other artist of The Carpenters genre such as Anne Murray, Dionne Warwick, Barry Manilow, Helen Reddy, and several others experienced a setback in their record sales, although Anne Murray made a strong comeback in 1978 with the beautiful and heartfelt "You Needed Me" (a song that has yet to be equalled IMO). It was simply a reflection of the music industry in general... The close of the 1970's saw the rise of disco and punk rock. Country Music too experienced a huge resurgence in popularity with the "urban cowboy" period. It was a time when not only music was undergoing a change, but society in general. The public's tastes were changing. I'm sure that given time, the right material, and had Karen made a full recovery, they would have come back strongly, perhaps even taking 80's music in a whole different direction. And anyone who was an "80's child" will remember how awful the clothes and music bands were back then. (And I ask you, where are most of these bands today)? There is one thing I agree with, and that's the fact that almost 22 years after Karen's passing, we're still not being told the entire story, and likely never will. There are lots of questions that remain, but we have to remember that those are questions that only Karen herself can answer, and unfortunately she is no longer with us to do so. I only wish someone could have helped this dear woman, and I also find it hard to believe that nobody had a clue of what was going on until it was almost too late. Richard too battled drug addiction. It all sta

What a wonderful gift she had

To outsiders, it seemed as if Karen and Richard Carpenter were living a dream. And they certainly seemed to have it all - looks, wealth, fame, fans, and an abundance of talent that has gone almost unrivalled in 30 years. Critics from the era and hard rock fans dismissed them, labelling them with phrases such as "Squeaky Clean," "Too Good To Be True," "All American," and many, many others. But appearances can be deceiving.Richard had a drug dependency (the substances he abused were legal, by the way) which almost cost him his career and could have ended his life had he not been rehabilitated, and for 7 years Karen was in the terrible psychological grip of a then unknown disease - anorexia nervosa, a disease which ravaged her emotionally as well as physically, in an identical manner to the fashion in which cancer and AIDS ravage their victims. But despite their personal troubles and turmoil, the Carpenters music remained beautiful, enriching, and touching.With the exclusive co-operation of Richard and Agnes Carpenter and their family and friends, entertainment writer Ray Coleman describes the Carpenters adolescence, their rise to fame, their years at the top, their legendary music, their struggles and Karen's ultimate tragedy in a way that is objective, emotional, and touching, painting a sad portrait of a beautiful woman who never realised how beautiful she was, a beloved woman who never knew how much she was loved, and a famous woman who worked in a corrupt and CORRUPTING industry but never lost her down to earth morality and values, whose greatest wish was to have a family of her own, a wish that sadly, she would never obtain. But if Karen's story achieves anything, I hope it is this - that it may save the lives of other anorexia sufferers. Surely that is what Karen herself would want.It is now 2000, 30 years after the Carpenters debuted. Their records are still being bought, their songs listened to and admired while the artists and critics who deplored them have long been forgotten. Finally, their talents are being acknowledged - Richard is praised for being the great musician that he is, a superior producer and arranger with an unparalleled ear for quality and timelessness. And Karen's voice, that haunting, gorgeous voice, is recognised as being one of God's greatest gifts to music.

EXCELLENT!!!

This is by far the best music bio I have ever read. I am 20 years old and LOVE the Carpenters' music; I own every one of their CDs, including Karen's solo CD. I love the prose style it was written in, and you really felt as though you were with Karen and Richard as they grew up, moved to California, began recording, and the rest is history. I loved how Mr. Coleman wrote out some of the song lyrics and compared them to Karen's tragic life. Some questions do form in the reader's mind (especially regarding her disasterous marriage) and this book really makes you think. You really feel Karen's hurt because she wanted so much what so many of us do...everlasting love and children.Besides being THE greatest female singer that ever was, you can relate to Karen, as if she's your sister or your best friend, someone in your life that you really love and cherish. And I'm happy that Richard overcame his pill addiction and now has a happy family of his own. And he is an excellent musician, too. A MUST HAVE for any Carpenters fan.

EXCELLENT!

The late Ray Coleman gives us a glimpse into the personal lives of Karen and Richard. While it leaves many questions unanswered, they are questions that only Karen herself could answer. Besides giving the reader a peek into the mind of an anorexic, it also demonstrates how the pressures of fame, fortune and perfectionism contributed not only to Karen's illness, but to Richard's addiction as well. Karen was and still is the finest female singer of all time, her vocals were always clear, perfect and heart-wrenching, a legacy that remains of a woman who had so much talent and fame, yet yearned for love and family. If you loved Karen's voice, The tears WILL fall when you read this book.

EXCELLENT and heart-wrenching.

This book is THE definitive Carpenters biography. It traces the story of Karen and Richard's childhood days in Connecticut, their move to California, to their struggles for recognition in the music business, then their triumph to the top of the charts, to the sad and untimely death of one the greatest female vocalists who ever lived. This book is also heartbreaking to read. Why did Karen have such poor self-esteem? Why was Richard nearly destroyed too by a pill addiction? Why did Karen feel so unloved and rejected? Why were the Carpenters widely scorned by music critics? Why now, is the Carpenters music gaining popularity among younger listeners and the younger generation? These are but a few questions addressed in this biography. It is difficult not to be touched by sadness while reading this book. It's also hard to read at times, not because the book is difficult, but because there are so many emotions involved. This is a very good book for all who appreciate and enjoy beautiful music, and by the way, as I've mentioned, tears tend to fall. Karen was taken far too soon, and the world indeed misses her.