Where Are They Now

Updated: 11/20/2005

Name: Richard Carpenter

Born: October 15, 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut

Claim To Fame: With his sister Karen, they were one of the most successful singing duos in history... The Carpenters

Family Life: Mary Carpenter (May 1984 - present) 5 children sister is Karen Carpenter

His five children are: Kristy Lynn, Tracy Tatum, Mindi Karen, Collin Paul and Taylor Mary.

Info: The Carpenters were a 1970s vocal and instrumental duo, consisting of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. With their brand of melodic pop, they charted a score of hit recordings on the American Top 40, becoming leading exponents of the "soft rock" or adult contemporary genre and ranking among the foremost recording artists of the decade.

Trivia: Nickname is R.C.

In 1998, when he was 52 years old, his wife gave birth to a son, Collin.

Regretted being a a part of The Karen Carpenter Story movie.

Started his own band in the mid 60s called "The Dick Carpenter Trio" along with his sister Karen Carpenter.

Is angry about how his sister Karen Carpenter's anorexia was medically handled.

Loves to play piano.
Met his future wife in 1975, and finally married her in 1984.

Helped open the Richard & Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, California, where he occasionally performs.

Still writes and produces music at A&M Records

He is on the honorary board of ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)

Has loved automobiles all his life, and started a great collection of rare cars from the 50s and 60s. His warehouse "Yesterday Once More" keeps models of these cars.

Where Is He Now: Released a solo album in 1997 - Richard Carpenter: A Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor.

In April 1998, the RIAA certified a number of Carpenters albums gold (Voice of the Heart and An Old Fashioned Christmas), platinum
(Christmas Portrait (1978) and Horizon (1975)) and multi-platinum (Close To You (1970), Now and Then (1973) and Yesterday Once More (1973) - all at two million). Furthermore, it was certified that A Song For You (1972) had sold three million copies, The Carpenters (1971) had sold four million copies, and The Singles 1969-1973 (1973) sold seven million copies.

In 2004 Richard released another Carpenter's album, entitled "Carpenters Gold: 35th Anniversary Edition".

Also in 2004 he produced the 13th studio album of Carpenters music entitled "As Time Goes By", which was actually made in 2001, but was finally released in the USA during April 2004.

In 2005 his cover of "Top of the World" can be heard on Aquafina commercials.

Also in 2005 the album "Singles 1969-1981" was produced for SACD by Richard Carpenter and released on January 11, 2005

You can ask Richard personal questions at his website: www.richardandkarencarpenter.com