the carpenters were big in the 70s. Karen started out as just the drummer for her brothers band but quickly became the lead vocalist and is widely regarded as one of the best singers of all time.
He's also the last living member.
maybe this belongs in Unpopular views about music but i find most of the songs he wrote to be just mediocre but were elevated by virtue of having Karen sing them. if it wasn't for her no one would know who he is or really care about his songs.
It's the same for many songwriters, though. If no one buys your work, the stories go untold. No one cares for Bernie without Elton.
I have heard this before too, but what is the actual source on it? Just word-of-mouth gossip or something more concrete?
i remember karen and richard were doing an interview with some radio jockey and he ambushed them live on air accusing them of it. i don't know if it was the origin of it though. can't find the recording of it, but i know they played it in a documentary about her from around 2016-17.
