Music News

Music Buzz

Fans Try to Save Carpenters' Old Home

Posted: 2008-02-17 13:13:43

DOWNEY, Calif. (Feb. 17) - Owners of The Carpenters' former home aren't feeling on top of the world about the legions of fans who keep stopping by to pay tribute.

The five-bedroom tract house, where siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter lived and penned some of their greatest hits, was featured on the cover of their 1973 hit album "Now & Then." It was also where an anorexic Karen Carpenter collapsed in 1983 before dying.

Owners Manuel and Blanca Melendez Parra have apparently grown weary of the parade of fans paying homage.

The couple have submitted plans to officials in Downey, a city about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, to raze the 39-year-old main house, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday. The Parras have already torn down an adjoining house and have begun construction on a larger home.

The proposal to level the rest of the residence has angered fans.

"This house is our version of Graceland," said Carpenters aficionado Jon Konjoyan. "When they photographed the 'Now & Then' cover here in 1973, the house was instantly immortalized."

The 57-year-old musician and promoter is heading a campaign to save the original home from the wrecker's ball. Some fans have proposed that Downey officials declare the house a historic landmark.

The entire Carpenter family lived in the main house. The adjoining section was used as an office, rehearsal studio and recreation room.

The Carpenters' parents lived in the residence until Harold Carpenter's death in 1988 and Agnes Carpenter's in 1996. Richard Carpenter sold the house a year later.

After the Parras bought the house, Jessica Parra, said that at first her parents invited fans into the home and gave away items left by Richard Carpenter.

This Week in Pop Culture Aug. 4 - Aug. 10

Aug. 4, 2000: Inspired by the New York City bar of the same name, 'Coyote Ugly' opens. Not surprisingly, the film about scantily clad, beautiful women dancing on a bar takes in more than $100 million.

Touchstone Pictures

Aug. 5, 1962: Sex goddess Marilyn Monroe is found dead in her Brentwood, Calif., home, the victim of an apparent suicide.

Matty Zimmerman, AP

Aug. 5, 1964: Adam Yauch, a.k.a. MCA, a.k.a. Nathaniel Hornblower, is born in Brooklyn. At age 17 he will join the hardcore band Reagan Youth, which slowly evolves into one of the great rap acts of all time, the Beastie Boys.

Paul Natkin, Wire Image

Aug. 5, 1964: Screen beauty Anne Bancroft weds comedic genius Mel Brooks. The pair will stay together until her death from cancer in 2005.

Ron Galella, Wire Image

Aug. 6, 1972: Geraldine Estelle Halliwell is born in the small town of Watford, England. After high school, she will bum around Europe, working as a go-go dancer, a TV hostess, a barmaid, an aerobics instructor and a topless model before adopting the alter ego Ginger Spice as a member of the Spice Girls.

Dave Benett, Getty Images

Aug. 7, 2006: Police are called to the home of Paul McCartney when a security guard hears what he thinks is a burglar. The "intruder" is one of Heather Mills McCartney's bodyguards. The former model had sent him over the walls of the estate to let her in when she found that the locks had been changed.

AP / Wire Image

Aug. 7, 1974: J. Geils Band lead singer Peter Wolf marries actress Faye Dunaway in Beverly Hills, Calif., in one of the more random celebrity couplings ever.

Ron Galella, Wire Image

Aug. 7, 1975: Charlize Theron is born in South Africa. After a string of roles in largely forgettable films, she will win an Oscar for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 'Monster.' Her newfound credibility will land her the lead in 'Aeon Flux.' Oh well ...

Peter Kramer, AP

Aug. 8, 2006: Paris Hilton is rushed to the hospital early in the morning after her pet kinkajou Baby Luv takes a bite of the heirhead. TMZ later reports that the wound is superficial, requiring only a band aid and a tetanus shot.

S Granitz, Wire Image

Aug. 8, 1966: The Beatles' crowning achievement, 'Revolver,' is released in the United States. It quickly goes to the top of the charts, where it will stay for six weeks.

"In the beginning, we let everybody in. But honestly, it became horrible, not only for us but for the neighborhood," Parra said. "People peek in windows and take pictures. They leave flowers on the front porch."

Downey officials said that they received plans for a new residence, but that no demolition permit has been issued.

Konjoyan is holding out hope. He wants the home to be bought and rehabilitated. If that is not possible, he wants the structure to be moved.

"They were such a huge American act in the '70s," Konjoyan said of the duo. "So many people loved them."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-02-16 18:09:48

Read Related Blogs and Articles

Bookmark

Recent Comments

Post Your Own

1 - 15 of 161

161 comments

to479 01:10:40 PM Feb 23 2008

Report This!

Fans of Carpenters should Love new houses !!!

KelleySft 10:44:35 AM Feb 20 2008

Report This!

Who really gives a shit if they tear the house down. Like there isn't enough other worthy things to cover in the news. Get a life

krzykra 10:47:29 PM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

LOVE YA ...............

------- JESUS

northtexastruss 02:30:23 PM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

These people need to get a life - move on.

cherub1956 11:39:47 AM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

lilredhen38 06:46:49 PM Feb 18 2008

they had one of the best christmas albums.

Now that I'd have to agree with. I listen to this album many times through every Christmas. It is always my first choice of what to listen to while decorating my tree.

susanmcbrideash 10:08:23 AM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

I think Derfster said it best. If Richard Carpenter sold the house , there must be memories he wanted to get away from. It doesn't mean he doesn't love Karen any less,only that his memories aren't in that house but in his heart.
What if Karen were still alive.? Would she want all of this?
I am also a big carpenter fan ,but let Richard go on with his memories and let this family who bought this house go on with their lives. God bless you Richard and this family that Richard Carpenter sold his family home to

rosesshadow2 08:35:51 AM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

Its only a building. And the current owners have the right to do whatever they want to it. They bought the house not the fans.

Brittanilak 08:15:24 AM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

Tear the damn thing down!!!!

heypearl0607 07:50:46 AM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

Marines are sickos, as well as psychos

dancap528 07:26:56 AM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

The Carpenters were born in New Haven, CT at 55 Hall Street in the Morris Cove section of town. I don't believe those owners of that modest home have been driven crazy by drive-by fans.

kuz1313 06:57:28 AM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

Those people were nice enough to let everyone in and they were taken advantage of. I don't blame them, it's their property. They bought it, they can do what they want with it. If people would stay off their property and not peek in their windows taking pictures, they might have kept it going. People take advantage of others and then are surprised when things don't go as they wish. Too bad, the fans should have been more respectful, then maybe the house would have been saved! They are resposible for the destruction of the house!!!

chewnjc 04:50:03 AM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

"PAWS AND REFRESH! INVITE JESUS IN YOUR HEART NOW!

testaunt 03:07:42 AM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

You call your self a marine..We should put you in puke!!!!

Derfster66 01:42:51 AM Feb 19 2008

Report This!

I'm a Carpenter fan, but has anyone asked Richard Carpenter of his opinion about his old house? Of why he sold it? I'm sure he's heard the story about the house by now, and if he wanted to, he could've made some type of public statement (like, "I had many wonderful memories of my old home, but there were also painful ones, and I simply felt at the time I sold the old home that it was time to move on.") That in a nutshell would address the concerns the fans, the current homeowners and Downey's officials. But he hasn't said anything, and quite honestly even if he did, he doesn't own the home anymore, so unless the city of Downey steps in, the current owners should have the right to do what they want. Sorry, fellow fans.