Just finished reading the brand new Karen Carpenter biography by Randy Schmidt called "Little Girl Blue" and it was one the best, albeit saddest, stories I've ever read. After reading the book I realized that Karen and Cass had quite a bit in common. They both were two of the best and most recognized female vocalists (both were contraltos) in pop music history - recording with 2 of the greatest groups of all time - The Mamas and the Papas and The Carpenters. Although their careers spanned just over 10 years each, they recorded such memorable hits, won Grammy awards and world-wide acclaim for their talent - and, unfortunately, both died from heart failure due to weight-related issues at the age of only 32.
Although both Cass and Karen left us way too soon we will always have the gift of their legacy of music to remember them by.
Rob