The Carpenters were a refreshing contrast to the heavy, overwrought pop/rock of the 1970s. They achieved 12 Top Ten hits and three number one singles, while remaining one of the most loved artists of the decade. Karen Carpenter’s quiet, beautiful voice was the highlight of their music. She adapted perfectly to the rich arrangements by Richard Carpenter. Although their popularity declined over the 1970s, Karen Carpenter and Richard continued to make music together until her tragic death in 1983. After their family relocated from New Haven, Connecticut, the Carpenters were formed in Downey in California in the late 1960s. Richard was a pianist in a local cocktail jazz trio that played at a few Connecticut nightclubs. After the family moved to California, Richard began studying piano and supported Karen in a trio with Wes Jacobs (tuba/bass). Karen signed to Magic Lamp in California, where Richard and Jacobs formed her backup band. The label released two singles by the singer. In 1966, the trio won the Battle of the Bands contest at the Hollywood Bowl. This led to a record deal with RCA. The group signed under the name Richard Carpenter Trio and recorded four songs that were never published. Jacobs quit the band in 1968. The siblings formed Spectrum together with John Bettis, Richard’s college friend. Spectrum disintegrated by the end, but Carpenters performed as a duo. The Carpenters recorded demos at Joe Osborn’s house in Los Angeles. The tape was sent to Herb Alpert (head of A).
