I was thrilled to have Dr Lucy O’Brien join me on my international book club last week to talk about her book Lead Sister: The Story of Karen Carpenter! While I had a few technology gremlins interrupt my interviewing, my support act Emma stepped in and we had a wonderful conversation with Lucy.
In the process of writing her previous book ‘She Bop’ Lucy knew instinctively that Karen was a woman of incredible strength despite her tragic decline and subsequent death through anorexia nervosa. So, she went on a mission to find the woman and artist Karen really was!
Lucy discovered that while Karen described herself as not being a songwriter, she was a drummer first and foremost, a pitch perfect singer and very active around the stage show, being a ‘firebrand’ for directing the musicians!
Lucy’s favourite Carpenter’s song is ‘Only Yesterday’ as it’s where she feels the raw power of Karen’s singing and music come alive, and there’s a sense of nostalgia but of looking forward at the same time!
She also shared with us that Karen’s contributions to the music business have seen her influence many contemporary artists, comparing her to the latter day Taylor Swift!
This and so much more was covered with Lucy. You can watch the interview on my LinkedIn page here.
Purchase the book here: https://lnkd.in/ehpN5n9P
For support or information on eating disorders, please visit the UK eating disorder charity Beat: https://lnkd.in/enAzRa5U
For Lucy’s next book, she would love to delve into the life of Sinéad O’Connor! I look forward to this next read!!