Carpenters

The Carpenters were the US-born Grammy-winning duo whose string of easy-listening hits in the 70s, including “(They Long To Be) Close To You”, “We've Only Just Begun” and “Goodbye To Love”, put them among the best-selling acts in music.

Brother and sister Richard and Karen Carpenter first tried to launch their musical career in the mid 1960s but it was not until 1969 that they were signed to A&M Records. Their debut album was Offering (1969) -- later repackaged as Ticket to Ride.

The second album Close To You spawned the hit "(They Long to Be) Close to You" which was their first No.1. This was swiftly followed by "We've Only Just Begun", a song which would later be covered by many other artists. The album went on to win two Grammys, with their brand of inoffensive pop finding many fans - though the critics were less keen.

Their best-selling album, Carpenters, was released in 1971. It was the third of a long string of successful albums released in rapid succession in the 1970s. A slew of hit singles accompanied their album successes, including "Rainy Days and Mondays", "Goodbye to Love", "Sing", and "Yesterday Once More". Their success meant that they made many television appearances and concert tours.

By the late 1970s their star was beginning to fade, though they remained successful. The toll of their schedules was beginning to tell as Richard developed an addiction to Quaaludes. While Richard recovered from his addiction, Karen recorded a solo album: but Karen Carpenter was not released until 1996, 13 years after her death from anorexia nervosa.