The Carpenters were an American duo made up of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter, known for their smooth blend of melodic pop and soft rock. Originating from Connecticut and later settling in California, they built their signature sound around Karen's rich, warm vocals and Richard's musical arrangements. Rising to fame in the early seventies with hits like Close to You and We've Only Just Begun, the Carpenters became one of the era's top-selling acts, earning multiple number one singles on both the pop and adult contemporary charts. Over a 14-year career, they released 10 albums, toured extensively, and became major figures in the easy listening genre. The group came to an end in 1983 following Karen's death due to complications from anorexia, but their music remains widely celebrated, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.