With her soft, caramel-laced vocal tones, Karen Carpenter had a whole generation of music lovers falling at her feet in the 1970s.
As one half of the wildly successful brother-and-sister pop duo the Carpenters, she made hearts swoon with her mellow, honey-dipped songs.
Then, 13 years after becoming famous, the star broke those same hearts when she died suddenly of a heart attack after many years of suffering from anorexia nervosa.
Books, newspaper articles and movies have all been written about the life and death of the adored and critically acclaimed singer.
But what few fans knew was that at the time of her demise, aged 32, Karen was struggling to free herself of her girl-next-door image and had even cut a sexy solo album that would have changed the way the world saw her forever.
In an authorised new biography entitled Carpenters: The Musical Legacy, Karen’s budding solo career is brushed over in just a few paragraphs. But many in the music industry – including the late Grammy award-winning producer Phil Ramone – maintained for years after her untimely death that if she’d lived, Karen’s musical legacy would have been markedly different from the all-American sweetheart that has been written into the history books.
“The new Karen Carpenter who was emerging in the ’80s was liberated and far less demure,” tells an industry insider. “Now, we will never know…”
Denne historien er fra January 17, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra January 17, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Sweet SUCCESS
Delicious twists on traditional favourites
Calzone CRAVING
Anything you can put on top of a pizza can go inside these air fryer Italian turnovers
Kai & kindness - ‘OUR RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE'
The foodie and her brother have dished up a cookbook full of comfort
Kia Ora Dame! 'I HAD A BIGGER PURPOSE'
It could have taken a toll on her, but Naida's phone greeting started a legacy
Dame Hinewehi's healing haka - 'IT'S GOING TO CHANGE LIVES'
Beating a world record is personal for the music therapy founder
Unbreakable Mamie - 'I'M READY TO FAMOUS!' BE
The TV star and model is excited about what the future holds
Below Deck detective - CAPTAIN LEE'S SEA CHANGE
The superyacht hero's family tragedy has led him to navigate scary waters
Swings & roundabouts - OWEN'S BIG KID PROJECT
Playtime's a whole lot more fun thanks to the radio host
Haunted by tragedy - KATE'S SHOCK LOSS
The star is still dealing with the death of her dad when she was aged four
Top-secret royal plan - BRINGING HARRY HOME
Disillusioned with life in the US, the prince is reaching out to friends in the UK