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* TechnicianVersusPerformer: Richard was a technician, as he arranged, composed, and produced most of the duo's music and is a skilled pianist. Meanwhile Karen, despite her own technical abilities as a singer and especially a drummer, was very much a performer.
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Dewicking Face Of The Band as its no longer a trope.


* ShrinkingViolet: One of the reasons Karen preferred being the drummer is that she hated being the FaceOfTheBand. [[invoked]]

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* ShrinkingViolet: One of the reasons Karen preferred being the drummer is that she hated being the FaceOfTheBand. [[invoked]]frontwoman.
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Nowadays, the duo are as well known for their behind-the-scenes tragedy, specifically Karen's, as they are for their music. Karen developed [[WeightWoe anorexia nervosa]] in her mid-twenties after years on a restrictive diet, and as a result her health rapidly deteriorated, culminating in her death from heart failure at the age of 32. Anorexia was a little-known condition at the time, with Karen's death being the primary catalyst in it becoming more widely publicized; as a result, she tends to be viewed as the public's unofficial patient zero for anorexia, though the disorder was already known and documented in the medical community.

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Nowadays, the duo are as well known for their behind-the-scenes tragedy, specifically Karen's, as they are for their music. Karen developed [[WeightWoe anorexia nervosa]] in her mid-twenties after years on a restrictive diet, and as a result her health rapidly deteriorated, culminating in her death from heart failure at the age of 32. Anorexia was a little-known condition at the time, with Karen's death being the primary catalyst in it becoming more widely publicized; as a result, she tends to be viewed as the public's unofficial patient zero PatientZero for anorexia, though the disorder was already known and documented in the medical community.
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* LeadDrummer: Karen was this, early on anyway. She was an accomplished drummer who could play jazz-fusion style fills and grooves, she just so happened to be great at singing. As time went on, her role as a drummer was slowly phased out as she just became a vocalist.
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* OutOfGenreExperience: The stinging fuzztone guitar solo in the otherwise-typical "Goodbye to Love" shocked a lot of people when the song first came out.

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* OutOfGenreExperience: The stinging fuzztone guitar solo in the otherwise-typical "Goodbye to Love" shocked a lot of people when the song first came out.out (the PowerBallad was still an UnbuiltTrope at the time).
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* OutOfGenreExperience: The stinging fuzztone guitar solo in the otherwise-typical "Goodbye to Love" shocked a lot of people when the song first came out.

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!!Studio Discography (both together and solo material from Richard and Karen):

* 1969 - ''Ticket To Ride''[[note]]originally titled ''Offering'' before being re-released[[/note]]
* 1970 - ''Close To You''
* 1971 - ''Carpenters''
* 1972 - ''A Song For You''
* 1973 - ''Now & Then''
* 1975 - ''Horizon''
* 1976 - ''A Kind Of Hush''
* 1977 - ''[[NewSoundAlbum Passage]]''
* 1978 - ''Christmas Portrait'' (Christmas album)
* 1981 - ''Made In America'' (last album released in Karen's lifetime)
* 1983 - ''Voice Of The Heart'' (comprised of unreleased outtakes and Karen's last two recordings)
* 1984 - ''An Old-Fashioned Christmas'' (Christmas album)
* 1987 - ''Time'' (Richard solo album, featuring special guest singers Music/DustySpringfield, Music/DionneWarwick and Scott Grimes)
* 1989 - ''Lovelines'' (unreleased recordings and songs from television specials)
* 1996 - ''Karen Carpenter'' (Karen solo album, recorded from 1979-1980)
* 1998 - ''Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor'' (Richard solo album, made of instrumental versions of Carpenters songs)
* 2001 - ''As Time Goes By'' (unreleased recordings, released in Japan in 2001 and internationally in 2004)



* HiddenDepths: Karen and Richard's wholesome image, which always frustrated them and which they felt kept them from being taken seriously as musicians, wasn't evident in early press interviews in which they weren't afraid to speak their minds about controversial issues: they both favored the legalization of marijuana (Karen never smoked, but because she didn't like it, not because she disapproved of it), opposed the Vietnam War, admitted neither of them was a virgin, and took a dim view of organized religion. Thereafter, their handlers [[ContractualPurity insisted they adhere strictly to the "Goody-Four-Shoes" persona they had created for the duo]]. Karen would later complain that the image she and her brother had would be impossible for even Franchise/MickeyMouse to live up to.

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* HiddenDepths: Karen and Richard's wholesome image, which always frustrated them and which they felt kept them from being taken seriously as musicians, wasn't evident in early press interviews in which they weren't afraid to speak their minds about controversial issues: they both favored the legalization of marijuana (Karen never smoked, but it was because she didn't like it, not because she disapproved of it), opposed the Vietnam War, admitted neither of them was a virgin, and took a dim view of organized religion. Thereafter, their handlers [[ContractualPurity insisted they adhere strictly to the "Goody-Four-Shoes" persona they had created for the duo]]. Karen would later complain that the image she and her brother had would be impossible for even Franchise/MickeyMouse to live up to.


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* NewSoundAlbum: As mentioned above, ''Passage'' was an attempt at this, but all the new directions didn't really pan out for them. Karen then attempted a solo career to invoke this and do some {{Disco}}, but A&M record execs in Los Angeles talked her out of releasing the resulting album (though it would be posthumously released 13 years after Karen's death).
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* RefrainFromAssuming: It has been widely reported that songwriter Tom Bahler wrote "She's Out of My Life," later a major hit for Music/MichaelJackson, about his failed relationship with Karen. Bahler denies this was the case and says he wrote the song before he even met Karen.
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They were active from 1969 until Karen's death in 1983. During this time, they were very prolific and scored numerous hits, only a few of which are commonly known to people who weren't there in TheSeventies. Their biggest hit, and probably their best-remembered song, is "(They Long to Be) Close to You"; others include [[TopTenJingle "We've Only Just Begun"]], "For All We Know", "Rainy Days and Mondays", "Superstar", "Hurting Each Other", [[Series/SesameStreet "Sing"]], "Yesterday Once More", "Top of the World", and "Only Yesterday".

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They were active from 1969 until Karen's death in 1983. During this time, they were very prolific and scored numerous hits, only a few of which are now commonly known to people who weren't there in TheSeventies. Their biggest hit, and probably their best-remembered song, is "(They Long to Be) Close to You"; others include [[TopTenJingle "We've Only Just Begun"]], "For All We Know", "Rainy Days and Mondays", "Superstar", "Hurting Each Other", [[Series/SesameStreet "Sing"]], "Yesterday Once More", "Top of the World", and "Only Yesterday".
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* ChristmasSongs: For all their success on the pop charts, Christmas music is likely the duo's most enduring musical legacy. Their 1970 single "Merry Christmas Darling" is still an annual radio staple, as are cuts from their two full albums of Christmas music, one released in Karen's lifetime (''Christmas Portrait'', 1978) and the other following her death (''An Old-Fashioned Christmas'', 1984). What's more, their 1978 Creator/{{ABC}} holiday special, also called ''Christmas Portrait'', was a ratings success at a time when Karen and Richard's popularity had otherwise been in decline for several years.

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* ChristmasSongs: For all their success on the pop charts, Christmas music is likely the duo's most enduring musical legacy. Their 1970 single "Merry Christmas Darling" is still an annual radio staple, as are cuts from their two full albums of Christmas music, one of them released in Karen's lifetime (''Christmas Portrait'', 1978) and the other following her death (''An Old-Fashioned Christmas'', 1984). What's more, their 1978 Creator/{{ABC}} holiday special, also called ''Christmas Portrait'', was a ratings success at a time when Karen and Richard's popularity had otherwise been in decline for several years.
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Moved to Trivia page


* DiedDuringProduction: Karen's death deeply shaked Richard and he has only performed rarely since. He largely withdrew from the public eye and has only very, very occasionally produced new music afterwards.
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* DiedDuringProduction: Karen's death deeply shaked Richard and he has only performed rarely since. He largely withdrew from the public eye and has only very, very occasionally produced new music afterwards.
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* CoverVersion: Several, including "Ticket to Ride" (Music/TheBeatles), "Please Mr. Postman" ([[Creator/{{Motown}} The Marvelettes]]), "There's a Kind of Hush" (Music/HermansHermits), "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" (Music/{{Klaatu}}), and "Sing" (''Series/SesameStreet''). Some of them -- namely "Close to You" (Creator/RichardChamberlain)", "Superstar" (Delaney & Bonnie), "Hurting Each Other" (Jimmy Clanton), "Solitaire" (Music/NeilSedaka), and "Touch Me When We're Dancing" (Bama) -- [[CoveredUp outfamed]] the original versions.

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* CoverVersion: Several, including "Ticket to Ride" (Music/TheBeatles), "Please Mr. Postman" ([[Creator/{{Motown}} The Marvelettes]]), "There's a Kind of Hush" (Music/HermansHermits), "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" (Music/{{Klaatu}}), and "Sing" (''Series/SesameStreet''). Some of them -- namely "Close to You" (Creator/RichardChamberlain)", "Superstar" (Delaney & Bonnie), "Hurting Each Other" (Jimmy Clanton), "Solitaire" (Music/NeilSedaka), and "Touch Me When We're Dancing" (Bama) -- [[CoveredUp outfamed]] outfamed the original versions.
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* CoverVersion: Several, including "Ticket to Ride" (Music/TheBeatles), "Please Mr. Postman" ([[Creator/{{Motown}} The Marvelettes]]), "There's a Kind of Hush" (Music/HermansHermits), "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" (Music/{{Klaatu}}), and "Sing" (''Series/SesameStreet''). Some of them - namely "Close to You", "Superstar," "Hurting Each Other," "Solitaire," and "Touch Me When We're Dancing" - outfamed the original versions.

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* CoverVersion: Several, including "Ticket to Ride" (Music/TheBeatles), "Please Mr. Postman" ([[Creator/{{Motown}} The Marvelettes]]), "There's a Kind of Hush" (Music/HermansHermits), "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" (Music/{{Klaatu}}), and "Sing" (''Series/SesameStreet''). Some of them - -- namely "Close to You", "Superstar," You" (Creator/RichardChamberlain)", "Superstar" (Delaney & Bonnie), "Hurting Each Other," "Solitaire," Other" (Jimmy Clanton), "Solitaire" (Music/NeilSedaka), and "Touch Me When We're Dancing" - outfamed (Bama) -- [[CoveredUp outfamed]] the original versions.
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** From their first 3 albums, 'Crescent Noon', 'Your Wonderful Parade', 'Mr Guder', and 'Druscilla Penny', which focus on serious undertones that range from depression to political undertones.

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** From Various songs from their first 3 three albums, 'Crescent Noon', 'Your such as "Crescent Noon", "Your Wonderful Parade', 'Mr Guder', Parade", "Mr. Guder", and 'Druscilla Penny', which "Druscilla Penny", focus on serious undertones that range topics ranging from depression to social and political undertones.commentary.
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* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Their debut album ''Offering'', which was later reissued as ''Ticket to Ride''. While possessing the same Carpenters sound (albeit more baroque-pop inspired), it lacks the polish later albums had. It was also more self-contained than other albums, with Karen playing drums on all tracks.

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* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Their debut album ''Offering'', which was later ''Offering'' (later reissued as ''Ticket to Ride''. Ride''). While possessing the same familiar Carpenters sound (albeit more baroque-pop inspired), it lacks the polish later albums had. It was also more self-contained than other albums, with Karen playing drums on all tracks.
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* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Their first album ''Offering'', which was later reissued as ''Ticket to Ride''. While possessing the same Carpenters sound (albeit more baroque-pop inspired), it lacks the polish later albums had. It was also more self-contained than other albums, with Karen playing drums on all tracks.

to:

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Their first debut album ''Offering'', which was later reissued as ''Ticket to Ride''. While possessing the same Carpenters sound (albeit more baroque-pop inspired), it lacks the polish later albums had. It was also more self-contained than other albums, with Karen playing drums on all tracks.
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** They also did a cover of "The Rainbow Connection" from ''Film/TheMuppetMovie'', but it was kept unreleased, as Karen [[OrSoIHeard reportedly]] didn't care for the song or their performance of it. Songwriter Paul Williams also wasn't happy, as he disliked the liberties Karen took with phrasing that differed from the Kermit the Frog version. It wasn't even given a full recording, just a demo. It eventually was released, but not until long after the world lost Karen.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Their first album 'Offering', which was later renamed 'Ticket to Ride', while possessing the same Carpenters sound (albeit more baroque-pop inspired) lacks the polish later albums had. It was also more self-contained than other albums, with Karen playing drums on all tracks.

to:

** They also did a cover of "The Rainbow Connection" from ''Film/TheMuppetMovie'', but it was kept unreleased, as Karen [[OrSoIHeard reportedly]] didn't care for the song or their performance of it. Songwriter Paul Williams Creator/PaulWilliams also wasn't happy, as he disliked the liberties Karen took with phrasing that differed from the Kermit the Frog version. It wasn't even given a full recording, just a demo. It eventually was released, but not until long after the world lost Karen.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Their first album 'Offering', ''Offering'', which was later renamed 'Ticket reissued as ''Ticket to Ride', while Ride''. While possessing the same Carpenters sound (albeit more baroque-pop inspired) inspired), it lacks the polish later albums had. It was also more self-contained than other albums, with Karen playing drums on all tracks.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ChristmasSongs: For all their success on the pop charts, Christmas music is likely the duo's most enduring musical legacy. Their 1970 single "Merry Christmas Darling" is still an annual radio staple, as are cuts from their two full albums of Christmas music, one released in Karen's lifetime (''Christmas Portrait'', 1978) and the other following her death (''An Old-Fashioned Christmas'', 1984). Their 1978 ''Christmas Portrait'' TV special was also a ratings success at a time when Karen and Richard's popularity had otherwise been in decline for several years.

to:

* ChristmasSongs: For all their success on the pop charts, Christmas music is likely the duo's most enduring musical legacy. Their 1970 single "Merry Christmas Darling" is still an annual radio staple, as are cuts from their two full albums of Christmas music, one released in Karen's lifetime (''Christmas Portrait'', 1978) and the other following her death (''An Old-Fashioned Christmas'', 1984). Their What's more, their 1978 Creator/{{ABC}} holiday special, also called ''Christmas Portrait'' TV special Portrait'', was also a ratings success at a time when Karen and Richard's popularity had otherwise been in decline for several years.
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Nowadays, the band are as well known for their behind the scenes tragedy, specifically Karen's, as they are for their music. Karen developed [[WeightWoe anorexia nervosa]] in her mid-twenties after years on a restrictive diet, and as a result her health rapidly deteriorated, culminating in her death from heart failure at the age of 32. Anorexia was a little-known condition at the time, with Karen's death being the primary catalyst in it becoming more widely publicized; as a result, she tends to be viewed as the public's unofficial patient zero for anorexia, though the disorder was already known and documented in the medical community.

to:

Nowadays, the band duo are as well known for their behind the scenes behind-the-scenes tragedy, specifically Karen's, as they are for their music. Karen developed [[WeightWoe anorexia nervosa]] in her mid-twenties after years on a restrictive diet, and as a result her health rapidly deteriorated, culminating in her death from heart failure at the age of 32. Anorexia was a little-known condition at the time, with Karen's death being the primary catalyst in it becoming more widely publicized; as a result, she tends to be viewed as the public's unofficial patient zero for anorexia, though the disorder was already known and documented in the medical community.
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Carpenters (absolutely ''not'' "The Carpenters") were [[BandOfRelatives a brother and sister pop duo]] consisting of Richard (born October 15, 1946) and Karen (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) Carpenter. Karen started out as the act's drummer, but was gradually phased off the instrument and moved to the front once it became clear she had a superlative singing voice; Richard wrote the material, played piano, and provided backing vocals.

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Carpenters (absolutely ''not'' "The Carpenters") were [[BandOfRelatives a brother and sister pop duo]] consisting of Richard (born October 15, 1946) and Karen (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) Carpenter. Karen started out as the act's drummer, but was gradually phased off the instrument and moved to the front once it became clear she had a superlative singing voice; Richard wrote and arranged the material, played piano, and provided backing vocals.
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Carpenters (absolutely ''not'' "The Carpenters") were [[BandOfRelatives a brother and sister pop duo]] consisting of Richard (born October 15, 1946) and Karen (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) Carpenter. Karen started out as the act's drummer but was gradually phased off the instrument and moved to the front once it became clear she had a superlative singing voice; Richard wrote the material, played piano, and provided backing vocals.

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Carpenters (absolutely ''not'' "The Carpenters") were [[BandOfRelatives a brother and sister pop duo]] consisting of Richard (born October 15, 1946) and Karen (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) Carpenter. Karen started out as the act's drummer drummer, but was gradually phased off the instrument and moved to the front once it became clear she had a superlative singing voice; Richard wrote the material, played piano, and provided backing vocals.

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[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Carpenters-Horizon1975_9010.jpg]]

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[[quoteright:300:https://static.[[quoteright:325:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Carpenters-Horizon1975_9010.jpg]]
org/pmwiki/pub/images/carpenters_horizon_1975.jpeg]]



Carpenters (absolutely ''not'' "The Carpenters") were [[BandOfRelatives a brother and sister pop duo]] consisting of Richard (born October 15, 1946) and Karen (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) Carpenter. Karen started out as the drummer but was gradually phased off the instrument once it became clear she had a superlative singing voice; Richard wrote the material, played piano, and provided backing vocals.

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Carpenters (absolutely ''not'' "The Carpenters") were [[BandOfRelatives a brother and sister pop duo]] consisting of Richard (born October 15, 1946) and Karen (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) Carpenter. Karen started out as the act's drummer but was gradually phased off the instrument and moved to the front once it became clear she had a superlative singing voice; Richard wrote the material, played piano, and provided backing vocals.


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* TextlessAlbumCover: ''Horizon'' features an unadorned photograph of the duo, shown as the page image above.

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* AllDrummersAreAnimals: Erm... Karen Carpenter? [[AvertedTrope A trope can't get more averted than this.]]
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONGVPxbFENM She really could play, though.]]

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* AliensSpeakingEnglish: "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft." The aliens on this song don't just speak English, they sing back to Karen!
* AllDrummersAreAnimals: Erm... Karen Carpenter? [[AvertedTrope A trope can't get more averted [[AvertedTrope averted]] than this.]]
**
this. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONGVPxbFENM She com/watch?v=sdHyzGXAJPg Karen really could play, though.]]though,]] and preferred it to singing.



* LaterInstallmentWeirdness: ''Passage,'' their 1977 album. The band were due for a shakeup since their hits were slowing down, so they try a few very odd musical detours (odd for the Carpenters, anyway), such as calypso, a space rock epic, and a couple of numbers with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, including a cover of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" from ''Music/{{Evita}}.''



* StudioChatter: On the box set ''From The Top,'' there's a demo version of "Let Me Be The One" where you can hear Karen warming up a bit before the song counts in. And then she forgets the words at the end, and makes up new, silly lyrics just for a laugh.

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* StudioChatter: StudioChatter:
**
On the box set ''From The Top,'' there's a demo version of "Let Me Be The One" where you can hear Karen warming up a bit before the song counts in. And then she forgets the words at the end, and makes up new, silly lyrics just for a laugh.
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May or may not be related to Sabrina Carpenter of ''Series/GirlMeetsWorld'' and her older sister Sarah, despite the fact that both sets of Carpenters have the same roles in music. (Karen and Sabrina sing while Richard and Sarah do the behind-the-scenes work; in Sarah's case, she plays on instruments when Sabrina performs live.)

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May or may not be related to Sabrina Carpenter Music/SabrinaCarpenter of ''Series/GirlMeetsWorld'' and her older sister Sarah, despite the fact that both sets of Carpenters have the same roles in music. (Karen and Sabrina sing while Richard and Sarah do the behind-the-scenes work; in Sarah's case, she plays on instruments when Sabrina performs live.)
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* ShrinkingViolet: One of the reasons Karen preferred being the drummer is that she hated being the FaceOfTheBand.

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* ShrinkingViolet: One of the reasons Karen preferred being the drummer is that she hated being the FaceOfTheBand. [[invoked]]
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* ShrinkingViolet: One of the reasons Karen preferred being the drummer is that she hated being the FaceOfTheBand.
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* BasementDweller: Karen lived at home until 1976, several years into her fame.



* DownerEnding: Karen's death at 32, of complications stemming from her severe [[WeightWoe anorexia nervosa.]] On the bright side[[note]]If there can truly be one, in this case.[[/note]], it actually did a lot to open up awareness of the disease.

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** Same with "(They Long to Be) Close to You:" After they say "Close to You" one last time, the song plays out slowly to end and you think it's over, until BAM! The last few lines of the chorus play again until fade. Notorious for catching disc jockeys off
guard when the song started back up a few seconds into whatever was coming after it.

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** Same with "(They Long to Be) Close to You:" After they say "Close to You" one last time, the song plays out slowly to end and you think it's over, until BAM! The last few lines of the chorus play again until fade. Notorious for catching disc jockeys off
off guard when the song started back up a few seconds into whatever was coming after it.

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