Hard to believe it’s been 50 years since the Carpenters released their first album on A&M, and harder still to believe that Karen Carpenter was initially reluctant to come out from behind the drum kit to focus on her vocal talents. Her innate sense of rhythm combined with her honey-smoked alto lent gravitas to the string of pop rock hits she had with her brother Richard in the ’70s, lowering the sugar content of songs like “Close to You” and lifting songs like “Rainy Days and Mondays” from pop pablum to classic ballad. Campbell’s Heritage Theatre launches its 2019-20 season with a golden anniversary tribute to the superstar duo.
Carpenters Remembered
Sat, 8pm, $45
Heritage Theatre, Campbell
