The Last Hours of Karen Carpenter

Leave it to British television to continue to honor and leverage the ongoing international popularity (and curiosity regarding) Karen Carpenter.

Neither sensationalist nor simplistic, the documentary provides little insight into what caused Karen's death (it wasn't just from anorexia nervosa). What is does accomplish is telling a fascinating story of human frailty and tragedy even in the midst of great domestic and international success. Stunning success.

As Carpenters, Karen and her brother Richard Carpenter sold millions of albums and singles worldwide, creating a legacy accomplished by her. Karen's unexpected death in 1983 left fans confused, mourning, and always longing for one last song from the woman with the golden voice.

It's a compelling video to say the very least. Rumors persist that in her true last hours, specifically the year before she died, Karen had long, deep, talks with a cousin who explained the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ to all that would give their lives to Him, trusting that He alone was the only payment to God the Father for their sin and the only way to heaven; that He alone conquered death on the cross. 

I wonder if this was what she heard or read: "Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."  (These are from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-5, and then from the book of John, chapter 3 verses 16 and 17.)

Eventually, Karen reportedly gave her life to Jesus and trusted Him for her future and for the forgiveness of where she fell short. If it's true, this evangelist relative will be forever thanked by the legions of Karen's fans. (By the way, the same offer of new life and forgiveness of sins has been made available to each of us- not just Karen. What will you do? Accept it or not? )

As for me, I will always be grateful to Herb Alpert and A&M Records for signing this talented duo. Karen's voice is like no one else. God broke the mold after he made her. Paired with Richard's delicate arrangements which beautifully showcased her voice, the Carpenters were a once in a lifetime musical act. In fact, I so appreciate the contribution of Karen and Richard to popular music, that I was asked to be part of Randy L. Schmidt's book, Carpenters: An Illustrated Discography. What an honor! (His first book on Karen, Little Girl Blue, is quite the read as well. Check out my review here.)

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Want more Karen and Richard?

There's about 250 posts on this blog about the Carpenters and their success. Album by album reviews (See below), rare photos, updates on Richard's activities since Karen's passing and more.

Below is the list of my initial reviews and then my "Revisited /Fresh Look" reviews a decade later. Each set of reviews contains different information and unique photos, some rarely seen.

My Initial Reviews of the albums:

Offering/Ticket to Ride

Close to You

Carpenters

A Song for You

Now & Then

The Singles 1969-1973

Live In Japan

Horizon

A Kind of Hush

Live at the Palladium

Passage

The Singles 1974-1978

Christmas Portrait

Made in America

Voice of the Heart

An Old Fashioned Christmas

Time (Richard Solo)

Lovelines

Karen Carpenter (Solo)

As Time Goes By

My Revisited / Fresh Look at the albums:

Offering / Ticket to Ride
Close to You
Carpenters 
A Song for You 

Now & Then

The Singles 1969 - 1973

Live in Japan

Horizon

A Kind of Hush

Live at the Palladium

Passage