Richard Carpenter (musician)

Richard Carpenter
Richard Carpenter, c. 1970s
Background information
Birth name	Richard Lynn Carpenter
Born	(1946-10-15) October 15, 1946 (age 70) New Haven, Connecticut
Origin	Downey, California
Genres	Pop
Occupation(s)	Musician, record producer, arranger, songwriter, conductor
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards
Years active	1965–present
Labels	A&M
Associated acts	The Carpenters Karen Carpenter
Website	Richard and Karen Carpenter
Notable instruments
Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Fender Rhodes, Baldwin Piano

Richard Lynn Carpenter (born October 15, 1946) is an American pop musician, best known as one half of the sibling duo The Carpenters, along with his sister Karen Carpenter. He was a record producer, arranger, pianist, keyboardist, occasional lyricist, and composer, as well as joined with Karen on harmony vocals.

Richard Lynn Carpenter was born at Grace-New Haven Hospital (now called Yale-New Haven Hospital) in New Haven, Connecticut, the same hospital where Karen was later born. His parents were Agnes Reuwer Tatum (a housewife) (March 5, 1915 – November 10, 1996) and Harold Bertram Carpenter (November 8, 1908 – October 15, 1988) who had been born in China where his parents were missionaries and educated at boarding schools in England, before working in the printing business. Carpenter was named after his father's younger brother, Richard Lynn Carpenter. Carpenter and his uncle both married women named Mary.

Carpenter frequently played the piano while his younger sister, Karen, played baseball outside. He and Karen also liked to listen to the children's records their father bought for them when they were young. Richard was introduced to Perry Como and Ella Fitzgerald, among many others, and by age 12, he knew he wanted to be in the music industry.

The Carpenter family moved from New Haven to Downey, California, in June 1963. They wanted Richard to further his music career, and the family was fed up with the cold New England winters. He studied music at the California State University at Long Beach. There, he met Frank Pooler, a conductor and composer who wrote the lyrics to the Christmas classic "Merry Christmas Darling" in 1968. Richard also met good friend, John Bettis, who co-wrote songs with Richard.