Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, author of You Are Beautiful and You Are Alone: The Biography of Nico, and Being Britney Just when you think we could not learn anything else about a pop icon, Lucy O’Brien removes the shackles of simplified myth to expose the innovator and trailblazer, while bravely examining the layered complications of family, fame, mental health and desire. Music journalist O’Brien reconstructs the life of 1970s and early ’80s pop star Carpenter, from the ‘intense musical creativity’ and sonorous voice that propelled her to fame to the industry and cultural pressures she battled and the anorexia that eventually contributed to her death in 1983.… Mining Carpenter’s music, as well as original interviews with those who knew her, O’Brien paints a nuanced portrait of both an inimitable, culture-defining artist and a highly visible casualty of the music industry’s ‘relentless promotion’ of women as uniformly thin, ‘saleable commodities.’ Carpenter’s fans will be rapt.īravo to one of the all-time best authors of our time. Despite the chronic nature of her illness, Karen Carpenter was, above all, a creative, dedicated, and assured artist whose music delivers an emotional resonance that has transcended generations-and that is how she should be remembered. Lead Sister also honors Karen’s triumphs in the face of her struggle with anorexia, providing contemporary perspectives on eating disorders and mental health. With exclusive interviews with friends, musicians, and collaborators, bestselling author Lucy O’Brien explores Karen’s contributions as a singer, drummer, arranger, and producer, and traces the roots of the Carpenters’ iconic sound. She has often been portrayed as a victim, controlled by her family and exploited by the music industry.įorty years after her death, this biography reframes her life and legacy as a pioneering woman with her own vision and agency. Named one of The Times and The Sunday Times, UK 17 best rock and pop music books of 2023Ī groundbreaking biography reevaluating the life and legacy of transcendent musician Karen CarpenterĪs one of the biggest-selling acts of the 1970s, the Carpenters are celebrated for their melodic pop and unforgettable hits like “Close to You,” “Yesterday,” and “Top of the World.” Though Karen is rightly recognized as one of the greatest singers in popular music, the tragedy of her early death in 1983 at the young age of just thirty-two sometimes overshadows her incredible achievements. Named a Financial Times 2023 Best Book of the Year – Pop Music ![]() "This may well become the definitive biography of Carpenter.Pop music fans will appreciate this strong biography." - Library Journal, Starred Review
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