The Carpenters was the real name for Karen and Richard, not a stage name. And there was more to the Carpenter’s sound then met the ear. Their song “We’ve Only Just Begun” was originally a bank commercial and it became the most requested song at weddings.  Their first hit in 1970 “Close to You” was written by Burt Bacharach, offered to Herb Alpert, who turned it down and then picked up by the Carpenters. I found out how their duo got started, how they got along with each other, and Karen explained their image.