Jeff
Richard Carpenter Page
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Pictures of Richard's Former Home
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I happen to be a big fan of Richard, considering him to be a "genius" ever since first hearing "Goodbye to Love". His talents have been largely overlooked, I believe, by the so-called musical experts, though the current rebirth in the popularity of the Carpenters will hopefully rectify that. He has been through a lot in his life, and a lot of criticism heaped upon him regarding his sister's death, I feel, is unfair and inappropriate. I hope that he can extend his talents into new adventures, such as composing soundtracks for movies and such. It is beyond me what the folks at Disney haven't called him up to score their next animation. Certainly, if you have not yet purchased his latest CD, "Richard Carpenter: Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor", you need to do so. You are in for a treat. I listen to it at work all of the time.
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I guess part of the appeal Richard has for me is that he seems like he is just an ordinary guy. I loved his interviews on the recent PBS special - I could sit and listen to his stories and recollections for hours. How many of you, like me, would love to simply sit down with him for a day and talk about the Carpenters! Oh, the stories he could tell!
Richard, should you ever read this, thank you so very much for the music, and for enduring what you had to endure to continue bringing it to us.
Following are some of the pictures I took of Richard's house in Downey, CA back in 1998. Though I do not believe he was home at the times I was there, it was still exciting to see where he lives. I think the main thought I was struck with upon seeing his home is how accessible it was. It was almost like I could have parked out front and walked right up to the front door, rung the bell. I guess I was thinking that all rich and famous people live in big mansions with locked gates. Certainly, he had a (relatively) modest home, and this all the more makes him seem like a regular guy who chooses not to flaunt himself.
In late 2000, Richard and his family did move to Thousand Oaks, CA to, as I understand, a gated community. I do not know what his new home looks like but, with 5 kids now, he probably does need mansion (and the feelings of safety a gate offers). I hope he is happy with his new home, though it sure would be nice to see some pictures of it!
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Richard's last house, like the Newville Avenue house, is located in a short cul-de-sec. As you can see, the home is a fairly simple, yet very appealing design the belies the fact that a world renowned, multi-millionaire superstar lives there.
The corner of his house, which you can barely see here, is, I believe (and I do not know this for sure), where his music room is located - the room where he plays his piano. The window blinds that I saw sure resembled those of the ones featured in the PBS special, which shows him in his house playing piano and talking. No, I did not hear any piano music from outside. :(
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This picture is further down. I wish I had taken a picture of the front door area. I tell you, it was tempting to get out and go right up there and ring the door bell! It would have been so easy - but it would not have been right. He and his family deserve their privacy, and I am sure he would have appreciated an unknown fan knocking on his door a lot less than we appreciate solicitors knocking on ours. Not that Richard would have personally answered the door anyway, or that anyone at all would have answered. Actually, it appeared as if no one was at home.
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This is the last picture I took. Unfortunately, none of the pictures turned out all that well. He certainly has a beautiful house, and the trees in the front yard do appear to be strategically located to provide needed privacy. Though I had a wish that, somehow, for whatever reason, Richard would have come outside or maybe driven by and at least waved at me, that did not happen. Like I said, it didn't look like anyone was home. All the same, it was exciting to see his house and, if any of you go by, please exercise the same respect for privacy that I did.
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Return to my Karen Carpenter home page.
See pictures of the Newville Avenue house!
See pictures of Karen's final resting place.