It all started back in 1970 with that unforgettable hit, "(They Long to Be) Close to You." The Carpenters, consisting of Richard Carpenter and his sister Karen, quickly became a household name. Their music was more than just catchy tunes—it was the soundtrack of an era. Songs like "We’ve Only Just Begun," "For All We Know," and "Top of the World" were staples at weddings, graduations, and other joyous occasions, embedding the Carpenters' music into the personal histories of fans worldwide.

Richard, now 75, was the mastermind behind the duo's arrangements and creative vision. Speaking candidly to Closer, he shares, "We were an overnight sensation. Within a little over a year from hitting the scene, we were headlining in Las Vegas. It was a whirlwind—everything happened so fast."

Musician Richard Carpenter Says His Late Sister Karen Was ‘Silenced Way Too Soon’ — Andre Csillag/Shutterstock

A New Book Celebrates the Carpenters' Musical Legacy

But as quickly as it began, it ended too soon. Karen, the duo's beloved vocalist, passed away in 1983 from a heart attack, a result of her battle with anorexia. Now, a new book, Carpenters: The Musical Legacy, written by Mike Cidoni Lennox and Chris May with Richard Carpenter, keeps the spirit of the Carpenters alive. This book delves into their rapid rise to fame, explores the origins of their iconic songs, and showcases rare photographs and memorabilia from Richard’s personal collection.

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"It’s not a strict biography," Richard explains. "It’s more about the music, which really resonated with me. That’s what drew me to authorize it." This book is only the second ever to be officially endorsed by Richard, highlighting its significance.

Early Days of Making Music Together

What are your earliest memories of making music with Karen?

Richard recalls, "Karen was just 13 years old, and I was 16. I was already dabbling in songwriting and asked her to sing a couple of songs I'd written. At that point, her voice hadn't developed into the masterpiece it would become. She had a higher, more youthful sound, but she sang beautifully in tune. Over time, I'd ask her to try out new songs I'd composed, even though she wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about singing back then."

When did Karen start to get excited about music?

"A drummer from one of my bands in New Haven, Connecticut, brought his drum set over to our house and set it up in the basement. It was a flashy gold sparkle Ludwig set, and it immediately caught Karen’s eye. That was the moment she started to get interested in music."

Joining the High School Band

Is it true you both joined the high school marching band to skip gym class?

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"Karen managed to get out of phys ed by joining the band. She had taken brief lessons on the accordion and flute, so she could read music. I suggested she play the glockenspiel, which marches with the drums, making it a perfect fit."

A Steady Path to Success

You signed with A&M Records as teenagers. Did you always believe the Carpenters would succeed?

"Absolutely. I believed in Karen’s vocal talent and my skills as an arranger. Together, we created a unique sound that I knew had hit potential. Our first single, 'Ticket to Ride,' made it onto the charts, although it didn’t become a major hit, it showed promise."

Were you ever at risk of being dropped from the label?

"Most of the label thought Herb Alpert’s experiment with us was over and that we’d be let go. But Herb believed in us and gave us one more chance. That decision turned out to be one of the best he ever made. Everything we achieved after that stemmed from that opportunity."