Karen Carpenter's mellow, narrative vocals captivated millions of listeners back in the 1970s Funny Vintage Carpenter Apparel Woodworking Hourly Rate shirt. Always yearning for a slim figure on stage, always yearning to please a loving mother. older brother Richard Carpenter than me. The Carpenters are one of the most successful groups in the history of the American music industry. Between 1970 and 1984, brothers Richard and Karen Carpenter produced a series of hits such as "Goodbye to Love", "Yesterday Once More", "Close to You" and "Rainy Days and Mondays".