# The Carpenters: A (Re) Appreciation **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [September 7, 2021, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281 "2021-09-07T23:20:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2021, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/41 "2021-09-11T21:53:28Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > If we are talking about Randolph Mantooth the actor, he was considered pretty hot by the girls back in the day Yup; he wasn’t David Cassidy, but he was definitely a bit of a heartthrob. My wife had a big crush on him when she was a tween. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2021, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/42 "2021-09-11T23:20:24Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > but he was definitely a bit of a heartthrob. My wife had a big crush on him when she was a tween. Huh. Whadya know. I can’t judge guys looks at all. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/43 "2021-09-11T23:51:37Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Huh. Whadya know. I can’t judge guys looks at all. I found this cover from Tiger Beat Magazine, from, I think, 1974. Note that Randolph Mantooth (in the shearling jacket) is right up there on the cover with Donny Osmond and Tony DeFranco. 😃 (I have no idea who “Nino,” at the bottom, is.) [![](https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/303540616980_/Tiger-Beat-Jeff-East-Radames-Defrancos.jpg) ](https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/303540616980_/Tiger-Beat-Jeff-East-Radames-Defrancos.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2021, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/44 "2021-09-11T23:59:32Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I have no idea who “Nino,” at the bottom, is. He’s one of the DeFranco Family. I wish I didn’t still know that… ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2021, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/45 "2021-09-12T00:15:03Z")
:: Backing slowly out of the room :: ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2021, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/46 "2021-09-12T00:18:32Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > :: Backing slowly out of the room :: Wait! Not before you see this! Tony, Benny, Marisa, Merlina and Nino DeFranco [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/I3Iw2qYtN8A/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AHeA4AC6AKKAgwIABABGHIgRCg7MA8=&rs=AOn4CLCc1VogcQUZeLPAAA-cCyfrriMukQ "DeFranco Family: Heartbeat, Its A Lovebeat 1973") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Iw2qYtN8A) The 70s were an interesting time. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2021, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/47 "2021-09-12T00:22:22Z")
Where’re The Cowsills when you need them? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2021, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/48 "2021-09-12T00:28:03Z")
They were old news! They were from there…SIXTIES! That’s like…ancient. Even David (sigh) was getting old (24!) - the TB crowd was into Shawn, and soon Leif. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2021, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/49 "2021-09-12T00:29:40Z")
Next up: Bay City Rollers? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2021, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/50 "2021-09-12T00:38:21Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Bay City Rollers? And I always thought they were from San Francisco… I actually liked them as a band (well, I only knew the one song). I never knew they were hearthtrob fodder - for GIRLS!. Same with Eric Carmen, with or without The Raspberries. Eric Carmen managed to sneak classic music (Rachmaninoff) into the pop charts, so he gets real cred. 🙂 Hey, I also liked Davy Jones. The upside of the fact that I lived in the boonies meant I never knew what I was supposed to like or not like. The downside was, one time I bought a TB, thinking it was a serious music magazine. I didn’t realize I was most definitely NOT their target audience. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2021, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/51 "2021-09-12T00:41:01Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > And I always thought they were from San Francisco… Legend is that they threw a couple of darts at a map of the U.S. to pick an American-sounding name (they were from Edinburgh), and the second dart hit Bay City, Michigan. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2021, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/52 "2021-09-12T01:19:14Z")
Too bad it didn’t hit Intercourse, Pennsylvania. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2021, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/53 "2021-09-12T06:11:03Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Where’re The Cowsills when you need them? They haven’t come home yet. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/54 "2021-12-03T04:15:59Z")
Lol, you put 2,000 Carpenters fans in a room, I may be #1… according to my Spotify Wrapped: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721697445_e1343075f4_b.jpg "Screenshot\_20211202-214650\_Spotify") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/51721697445/) Actual proof I did my research! 😆 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/55 "2024-02-04T17:36:29Z")
Today is the 40th anniversary of Karen’s passing. RIP to the greatest voice in pop history. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/56 "2024-02-04T17:38:49Z")
Always been a fan. _Close To You_ was one of the songs that was sung at our wedding. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/57 "2024-02-04T20:28:08Z")
I can’t believe I’m just now seeing this thread. That is some of the best writing I’ve seen in a long time. Despite primarily playing rock and roll for most of my life, I’ve always adored the Carpenters, especially Karen’s angelic voice. My parents loved the Carpenters so I was fortunate to hear them all through my childhood. One piece that few seem to ever mention is their Burt Bacharach medley, which always sends chills through me. The vocal arrangements on that is astounding. Recently, I found [this cover of Superstar](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhWrggrJ20I&ab_channel=Leonid%26Friends) performed by Leonid and Friends. It is the first time I’ve ever heard another singer capture the magic of her vocals is a seemingly effortless way. I encourage you to check it out. Again, thanks so much to JohnT for this absolutely wonderful tribute to her talent. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/58 "2024-02-04T20:35:23Z")
My older sisters listened to the Carpenters, Bread and Simon and Garfunkel til I developed a distaste for them all. I’ve learned to appreciate them better later. Dang, I know all the words to all the songs! Any thread that mentions both _Randolph Mantooth_ and _The Bay city Rollers_ is my most favorite thread! ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/59 "2024-02-04T21:50:19Z")
First I saw this thread. Well done, @JohnT. I enjoyed every word (and a huge Karen C. fan). My belated thanks! ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281/60 "2024-02-04T22:59:24Z")
I’m one of the lease sentimental people you’ll ever come across, but any time I hear or see Karen Carpenter I lose it. Apparently I’m not the only one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carpenters-a-re-appreciation/950281.md?page=4)