Geographer
Well-Known Member
Simply put, after Karen's passing, Richard had a lot of options to pursue and "re-invent" himself; producing others, film scores, writing new songs for other artists, etc. He is a multi-talented individual who, if he wanted to, could have kept going in the industry and been very successfully in any number of avenues. It seems he chose the options to raise a family and oversee the Carpenters catalogue for posterity into the future. He occasionally pops up "here and there" with background vocals here or string arrangements there, but I get the impression he turns down more offers to collaborate than he accepts. But it seems, to me anyway, raising his family is his "full time job" now and he seems content in it.