<P> The siblings were born in New Haven , Connecticut , and moved to Downey , California , in 1963 . Richard took piano lessons as a child , progressing to California State University , Long Beach , while Karen learned the drums . They first performed together as a duo in 1965 and formed the jazz - oriented Richard Carpenter Trio followed by the middle - of - the - road group Spectrum . Signing as Carpenters to A&M Records in 1969 , they achieved major success the following year with the hit singles `` ( They Long to Be ) Close to You '' and `` We 've Only Just Begun '' . Subsequently , the duo 's brand of melodic pop produced a record - breaking run of hit recordings on the American Top 40 and Adult Contemporary charts , and they became leading sellers in the soft rock , easy listening and adult contemporary music genres . The Carpenters had three number - one singles and five number - two singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and fifteen number - one hits on the Adult Contemporary chart , in addition to twelve top - 10 singles . They have sold more than 90 million records worldwide , making them one of the best - selling music artists of all time . The duo toured continually during the 1970s , which put them under increased strain ; Richard took a year off in 1979 after he had become addicted to Quaaludes , while Karen suffered from anorexia nervosa . </P>
<P> The siblings were born in New Haven , Connecticut , and moved to Downey , California , in 1963 . Richard took piano lessons as a child , progressing to California State University , Long Beach , while Karen learned the drums . They first performed together as a duo in 1965 and formed the jazz - oriented Richard Carpenter Trio followed by the middle - of - the - road group Spectrum . Signing as Carpenters to A&M Records in 1969 , they achieved major success the following year with the hit singles `` ( They Long to Be ) Close to You '' and `` We 've Only Just Begun '' . Subsequently , the duo 's brand of melodic pop produced a record - breaking run of hit recordings on the American Top 40 and Adult Contemporary charts , and they became leading sellers in the soft rock , easy listening and adult contemporary music genres . The Carpenters had three number - one singles and five number - two singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and fifteen number - one hits on the Adult Contemporary chart , in addition to twelve top - 10 singles . They have sold more than 90 million records worldwide , making them one of the best - selling music artists of all time . The duo toured continually during the 1970s , which put them under increased strain ; Richard took a year off in 1979 after he had become addicted to Quaaludes , while Karen suffered from anorexia nervosa . </P>
how many billboard no 1 hit singles did the carpenters have
how many billboard no 1 hit singles did the carpenters have
three
three