Throwback: Happy 76th Birthday, Karen Carpenter!

It’s March 2026. We’re about to blow through the first third of the year. Things have gotten messier and more hellish. Apparently, we’re now at war. We’ve got masked goons grabbing people off the streets and shooting civilians. The economy is reeling. We’re dealing with a mad, dying king. And yet, we have to simultaneously fight fascists and get on with our daily lives. 

But there’s music, art and community. I hope that this site is a bit of escape and maybe even a reminder of how much community means when the world is running down. 

• The Who frontman  Roger Daltrey celebrated his 82nd birthday on March 1
• The pioneering singer, activist and actor Harry Belafonte was born 99 years ago on March 1

Karen Carpenter was born 76 years ago today. As one-half of The Carpenters with her older brother Richard, Karen was behind some of the most beloved and gorgeous pop songs ever written and recorded. And god, that voice! 

“Close To You,” which was written by Burt Bacharach, Hal David and Cathy Steeves is one of the most crafted and most gorgeous pop songs ever written. I’ll gladly die on that hill every single day. 

Happy birthday, Karen! Happy birthday, wherever you are!

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