Induct the Carpenters into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Karen and Richard Carpenter emerged in 1965 as part of an instrumental jazz trio called the Richard Carpenter Trio. Richard on keyboards and Karen on drums were joined by their friend Wes Jacobs on stand up bass and tuba. In 1966 the trio won the Hollywood Bowl Battle of the Bands.

In 1969 A&M released the first Carpenters album "Offering" and first single "Ticket To Ride". At that point few realized that an international phenomenon was just around the corner. A phenomenon which would secure a lasting place in the history of the popular music.

"Close To You" reached #1 in the summer of 1970. From there the hits continued non-stop for the next six years. Some of their classic hits include; "We've Only Just Begun" which to the day is still used in wedding ceremonies and receptions. "Rainy Days And Mondays" which with Karen's deep soulful vocals is one of the Carpenters' most recognized songs. "Goodbye To Love" created a bit of an uproar with fans who found the electric fuzz guitar solo by Tony Peluso to be inappropriate for a Carpenters record. "Yesterday Once More", "Top Of The World", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", and "Please Mr. Postman" are just a few more of the songs which they turned into classics.

Richard Carpenter wrote a good amount of the band's songs. He also scored the orchestration and arrangements for the majority of their recordings. Richard has received an impressive five Grammy Award nominations for his precise and well defined arrangements.

Karen was the most exciting and recognizable female voice of the 70's. She was the indisputable star of the Carpenters and had a charisma and magnetism in her voice which has remained unmatched. She sang in tender silky tones and played proficient jazz progressions on the drums. Often doing both simultaneously to perfection in live performances. There will never be another Karen Carpenter. Many consider Karen to be one the finest female vocalists of all-time. Her voice has the ability to reach into the darkest recesses of your inner being and tug on the strings of your emotions. Until you are nothing but utterly amazed at the extreme beauty of her God given voice. After her untimely death in 1983 her voice and music took on an even deeper meaning.

The Carpenters have sold well over 100 million albums to date. They continue to touch new generations of listeners as fervently as they did in 1970. Still to this day selling millions of discs annually.

It's for these reasons and more that the staff of The Carpenters Online feels the Carpenters should be inducted into the prestigious Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

If you feel the same please sign this petition and post your comments expressing why you feel the Carpenters are worthy of this honor.