RICHARD CARPENTER Interview

The Carpenters are one of the best-selling music artists of all time with three number-one singles, five number-two singles, 15 number-one hits (Adult Contemporary) and 12 top-10 singles. They have sold more than 90 million records worldwide. Karen Carpenter is justly considered the greatest pop vocalists to grace a microphone, and perhaps less known as a superb drummer. In 2003, I interviewed producer/arranger/singer Richard Carpenter for my BBC Radio 2 series “Pop Arrangers” which later became my book “The Invisible Artist” (with a chapter on Carpenter). Here he discusses the arranging and production techniques used in the making of such hits as Close To You, Ticket To Ride, Calling Occupants, We’ve only Just Begun, and many more. Where else can you hear Richard Carpenter demonstrating his ideas at the piano? A unique look at one of the true masters of pop.