Claim to Fame: With his sister Karen, they were one of the most
successful singing duos in history... The Carpenters
Family Life: Mary Carpenter (May 1984 - present) 5 children sister is Karen
Carpenter
His five children are: Kristy Lynn, Tracy Tatum, Mindi Karen, Collin Paul and
Taylor Mary.
Info: The Carpenters were a 1970s vocal and instrumental duo,
consisting of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. With their brand of
melodic pop, they charted a score of hit recordings on the American Top 40,
becoming leading exponents of the "soft rock" or adult contemporary genre and
ranking among the foremost recording artists of the decade.
Trivia: Nickname is R.C.
In 1998, when he was 52 years old, his wife gave birth to a son, Collin.
Regretted being a a part of The Karen Carpenter Story movie.
Started his own band in the mid 60s called "The Dick Carpenter Trio" along with
his sister Karen Carpenter.
Is angry about how his sister Karen Carpenter's anorexia was medically handled.
Loves to play piano.
Met his future wife in 1975, and finally married her in 1984.
Helped open the Richard & Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach,
California, where he occasionally performs.
Still writes and produces music at A&M Records
He is on the honorary board of ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa
and Associated Disorders)
Has loved automobiles all his life, and started a great collection of rare cars
from the 50s and 60s. His warehouse "Yesterday Once More" keeps models of these
cars.
Where
is He Now:
Released a solo album in 1997 - Richard Carpenter: A Pianist, Arranger,
Composer, Conductor.
In April 1998, the RIAA certified a number of Carpenters albums gold (Voice of
the Heart and An Old Fashioned Christmas), platinum
(Christmas Portrait (1978) and Horizon (1975)) and multi-platinum (Close To You
(1970), Now and Then (1973) and Yesterday Once More (1973) - all at two
million). Furthermore, it was certified that A Song For You (1972) had sold
three million copies, The
Carpenters
(1971) had sold four million copies, and The Singles 1969-1973 (1973) sold seven
million copies.
In 2004 Richard released another Carpenter's album, entitled "Carpenters Gold:
35th Anniversary Edition".
Also in 2004 he produced the 13th studio album of Carpenters music entitled "As
Time Goes By", which was actually made in 2001, but
was finally released in the USA during April 2004.
In 2005 his cover of "Top of the World" can be heard on Aquafina commercials.
Also in 2005 the album "Singles 1969-1981" was produced for SACD by Richard
Carpenter and released on January 11, 2005
DISCOGRAPHY:
1969 Offering
1970 Ticket To Ride
1970 Close To You
1971 Carpenters
1972 A Song For You
1973 Now And Then
1973 The Singles 1963 - 1973
1974 Live in Japan (Japan Only)
1975 Horizon
1976 A Kind Of Hush
1976 Live At The Palladium (UK Only)
1977 Passage
1978 The Singles 1974 - 1978 (UK only)
1978 Christmas Portrait
1981 Made In America
1983 Voice Of The Heart
1984 An Old-Fashioned Christmas
1984 Christmas Portrait (compilation of previous 2 Christmas albums)
1985 Yesterday Once More
1987 Time (Richard Carpenter's solo)
1989 Lovelines
1989 Anthology (Japan only)
1990 The Compact Disc Collection (UK only 12 CD set)
1990 Only Yesterday (UK Only)
1991 From The Top (4 CD Box Set)
1995 Interpretations: A 25th Anniversary Celebration
1996 Karen Carpenter (Solo, recorded in 1979)
1996 Christmas Collection (not released in the US)
1998 Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor (Richard Carpenter's solo)
1998 Love Songs
2000 Carpenters Gold 2000 (UK only)
2000 As Time Goes By (Japan only)
2002 The Essential Collection
Updated:
11/20/2005
Met his future wife in 1975, and finally married her in 1984.
Carpenters
(1971) had sold four million copies, and The Singles 1969-1973 (1973) sold seven
million copies.
