Notable and Quotable: Karen Carpenter on Elvis Presley

"For myself and I know speaking for Richard, we worshipped Elvis. The first time I met him I thought I was going to drop dead in my tracks... He walked out, and my heart stopped... He's not only gorgeous, his voice is beautiful. And his talent is immense."

                                              Karen Carpenter on Elvis Presley

During a 1977 KMPC radio interview to promote their album Passage, Richard and Karen Carpenter are asked about Elvis' influence and impact. While Richard speaks of the artist's effect on popular music, Karen recounts above seeing him in concert and meeting him afterwards. Whether or not this is the same time as the now infamous meeting with he, Karen, and Petula Clark is unknown. (See here for details.)

Elvis and Karen

 Karen Carpenter meets Elvis Presley. Two superstars who met their end much too soon.

Reports suggest Karen met Elvis in 1973 and 1975. Certainly at the height of her popularity as part of Carpenters. 

Petula Clark, a beloved singer, recalls a meeting with the three of them where Elvis clearly wanted to take the relationship to a sexual level. Whether this is true or only her hunch is not to be known, but it does make for an interesting story.

Corrections as of August 9, 2015:

The top photo has been discovered to be a fraud. The original is below:

Richard Carpenter Continues On

Although his sister Karen Carpenter died this day over thirty years ago, brother Richard Carpenter continues to oversee the duos recordings. He's sort of in and out of the media now. Perhaps that will change when the Carpenters hit their 50th year anniversary in the music business. Certainly a duo this successful - the top American act of the 1970s- deserves a special commemorative compilation... with maybe a few of those unreleased songs from the vaults of A&M Records.

A 2013 photo with singer Petula Clark shows him looking good and quite happy with his life; a life that includes a wife, Mary, and five children.

Want more Carpenters? This blog has over 60 articles which offer a review of each Carpenters album, from 1969's Offering/Ticket to Ride to 2004's As Time Goes By. There's also tons more photos, Top Ten lists, and other bits and pieces. Search away!

(Photograph copyright Getty Images.)