Posted on 11/02/2023 9:35:23 AM PDT by Red Badger
Singer Karen Carpenter passed away 40 years ago at the age of 32. She was anorexic and it killed her. Now author Lucy O’Brien has revealed additional details in her new book, “Lead Sister: the Story of Karen Carpenter.”
According to an excerpt shared by the Hollywood Reporter, Carpenter and her brother, Richard Carpenter, formed the duo “The Carpenters.” They were hit musicians who were even invited to meet then-President Richard Nixon in 1972.
But O’Brien’s book offers a closer look into Carpenter’s struggle with body image. The text detailed how “Anorexia had become a tyrannical force in her psyche, telling her that food was an enemy to be fought.”
The passage went on, “Thoughts of food and the methods to eliminate it had become obsessive, dominating her day and disrupting her sleep. ‘It’s like being haunted,’ she said.”
After struggling with previous treatment methods, Carpenter hired psychotherapist Steven Levenkron in the summer of 1982. He was a “nurturant-authoritative” and considered a controversial aid at the time.
Levenkron moved in with Carpenter and realized she was using laxatives to purge her body of food and stay thin. She also admitted to abusing a thyroid medication to boost her metabolism.
Levenkron confiscated the medication and worked to help her for months. During one breakthrough session, Carpenter is said to have stated, “I don’t need any care,” adding, “I’m successful like this.”
But her doctor would not be deterred. He pointed out, “But you do need care because you are incompetent … because you can’t keep yourself alive.” This shocked and upset her.
She weighed 77 pounds and experienced health issues that required hospitalization. When she was released, she gained 20 pounds and even celebrated Thanksgiving with her family by eating and celebrating her recovery.
She declared herself cured, but Levenkron warned that recovery would take years. Carpenter wanted to get back to work.
Unfortunately, between Thanksgiving, and that following January, her health began to fail. She ended up hospitalized in February of 1983 where she passed away due to her severe anorexia.
Truth and Accuracy
Buddy Rich APPROVED!
And Buddy Rich rarely said anything nice about anybody.
Richard is such an interesting story. For years, he didn’t arrange anything. (With the Carpenters, I thought he was the best arranger in the music industry). I heard he later got back into the business, but without any real success.
Yep. A good drummer.
As great as Karen was, she had a genre. I don’t think she had nearly the range or control of Ann Wilson, who I think is the best female singer anywhere.
But Karen was an incredible alto baladeer.
Excellent list!
Karen will always be my favorite.👍
Yes, Buddy Rich hated country music and let everyone know. He also said the problem with marijuana was that it was too expensive and they need to make it cheaper so that the kids could afford it. Buddy was a real so and so.
Well then, what was Richard’s role in the group?
Why Dusty Springfield Allegedly Slapped Buddy Rich
https://www.grunge.com/1032000/why-dusty-springfield-allegedly-slapped-buddy-rich/
Her brother had an unhealthy influence on her and how much she ate.
Carol Burnett commented on how she had to keep her brother away from her in order so that Karen might have a full meal in the studio cafeteria.
Arranger. He had the best arrangements of any in the industry. He also played piano and sang harmonies.
“That guy did some really great arranging”
Those composers probably chose the Carpenters to perform their music because the pair was so good!
Fantastic!
Close your eyes and go back in time!
The girl is incredible!
(The band is pretty darn good too😁)
One of her best and prettiest is the last one she ever recorded.
A lot of folks have never heard of it.
It is called “Now.”
https://youtu.be/f1YntJx0A4I?feature
Check their other stuff. Superstar is a bit of a departure.
It’s easy to get obsessed by their talent.
#24 Google: Kelly Ripa thin
Many posts on her weight.
Too thin is right, maybe she thinks the wrinkles won’t show as she ages.
Personally, my favorite is “Merry Christmas, Darling”. What a clear, perfect voice she had......
"Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft", now THAT'S a departure!
In saying that, I automatically think of Patsy Cline, who is my all time favorite female singer.
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