Herb Alpert is a musician and music industry executive. Being the "A" in A&M Records, he and Jerry Moss (the "M") founded the record company in 1962. He discovered the Carpenters in the late 1960s, being attracted to the group's distinct sound and Karen's singing voice. Alpert was the one who gave the duo another try after their debut album, Offering, failed commercially - he continued to personally work with them during their career. He had also recorded (They Long to Be) Close to You before passing the lyrics on to Richard Carpenter.