Singer Richard Carpenter planning comeback

Thursday 16th October, 06:23 AM JST

TOKYO —

Richard Carpenter, of the Carpenters, says he is ready to make a comeback. All he needs is a partner.

Carpenter, who with his sister Karen was one the most successful pop acts of the 1970s, announced on his 62nd birthday Wednesday in Tokyo that he is planning to get back into the music business.

“It’s a different business. Music is a different world from when Karen and I were signed by Herb Alpert in 1969,” he said. “But I feel I have some talent.”

He said he will help to produce and perform on a tribute album of Carpenter covers due out late next year, then on a Christmas album and finally a solo collection of largely original material.

The Carpenters’ phenomenal rise to the top of the pop world, with such hits as “Close To You” and “Yesterday Once More,” came to an abrupt end in 1983, when Karen died of a heart attack at age 32 following complications from an eating disorder.

Carpenter said he will never get over his sister’s death, which he called the saddest moment of his life.

He said he still prefers singing duets and is looking for a female vocalist partner for his upcoming projects.

“I’m looking for someone who has her great talent but does not—doesn’t try to—sound like Karen,” he said. “I’ve been looking for years.”

Carpenter said his work continues to be along the lines of the soft rock albums that he and his sister produced.

“There is always a market for a good song and a good melody,” he said.

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Latest 15 of 22 Total Comments Show All

borscht at 01:00 PM JST - 16th October

That would be interesting - a Karen Carpenter impersonator. Are there any?
thepro at 01:26 PM JST - 16th October

You're comparing the Carpenters to Elvis?
dennis0bauer at 03:10 PM JST - 16th October

I dig the Carpenters, now team up with marylin manson to make modern Carpenter music!
LadyO at 09:11 PM JST - 16th October

amazing how the Japanese know of the Carpenters while most people in the states under 40 go "who?" 62 yrs old . . . and getting back into the industry . . . well JP be the place to do so. Remember when a child back in the states and being made fun of by school kids for liking their music! ♪～　
OssanULTRA at 12:05 AM JST - 17th October

He really doesn't have to do this. Sometimes it's best to just sit on your laurels.
ca1ic0cat at 02:46 AM JST - 17th October

I dunno, people still go to Neil Diamond concerts and Sting is pretending to be a 1940's crooner, so why not?

Then again I won't be going to any of his shows.
OssanULTRA at 02:58 AM JST - 17th October

dunno, people still go to Neil Diamond concerts and Sting is pretending >to be a 1940's crooner, so why not? Then again I won't be going to any of his shows.

True, they do. But neither Neil Diamond nor Sting are equivalent to the non-singing half of the Carpenters.
usaexpat at 05:57 AM JST - 17th October

Please, Please don't make a comeback. Alright personal oppinion aside it does seem that the "Carpenters" have had a much longer run in Japan that in the US.
Noripinhead at 05:59 PM JST - 17th October

Hey, don't knock Richard Carpenter's quest to return to the Big Time. He's only just begun...
borscht at 11:09 PM JST - 17th October

Rod Stewart is pretending to be a 40s crooner, I believe, with his CD of standards.
LIBERTAS at 02:04 AM JST - 18th October

Isn't he married to Harry Chapin's widow? Can't she sing too? Or aren't they talking these days?
pheonixcell at 06:22 PM JST - 18th October

Karen Carpenter was the best singer ever. There has never been a better vocalist than her ever, at least there has not been one yet...
Sarge at 10:39 PM JST - 18th October

I hope this doesn't give Barry Manilow any ideas...
temporaryVisa at 12:24 AM JST - 19th October

Carpenters are still a huge act in the Karaoke box. Simple English words set to simple tunes always a winning combination in Japan.
pheonixcell at 03:20 PM JST - 20th October

No, all jokes aside, dont u think Karen Carpenter had the best voice ever... there is no one that sings like her now...