Karen Ichiuji-Ramone (née Ichiuji, May 15, 1951 – March 25, 2020), known by her stage name Karen Kamon, was an American singer and actress.

Karen Kamon
Birth nameKaren Ichiuji
Also known asKaren Ichiuji-Ramone
Born(1951-05-15)May 15, 1951
United States
DiedMarch 25, 2020(2020-03-25) (aged 68)
United States

She is perhaps best known for her performance of "Manhunt" on the soundtrack to the movie Flashdance. In 1984, her recording of "Loverboy" reached #88 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] She also sang "Squeeze Play" on the soundtrack to the movie D.C. Cab and provided additional voices for the movie Oliver & Company.[2][better source needed]

In television, she appeared in one episode of the U.S. TV series T.J. Hooker.

She is listed as a production associate on Karen Carpenter's solo album and credited, on the Carpenters' compilation album Lovelines, as a friend of Karen Carpenter. She was also interviewed for the installment of VH1's series Behind the Music that dealt with "The Carpenters" and appeared in a segment in the VH1 documentary 100 Most Shocking Moments in Rock and Roll History.

Personal life

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Kamon first met music producer Phil Ramone while working as a tour publicist for Peter, Paul and Mary in 1977.[3] Ramone produced the first of two albums in her known discography, Heart of You, in 1984. She was married to him from 1984 until his death in 2013 at the age of 79. They had three children, including Matthew Ramone, general manager of Phil Ramone Incorporated.

On March 25, 2020, it was reported on a Karen Carpenter Facebook site that Kamon had died.[4][better source needed]

Discography

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Albums

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  • 1984: Heart of You – Label: CBS-26017 – included the single "Loverboy," which reached #88 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
  • 1987: Voices – Label: ATCO-90575 (including a cover version of the Russ Ballard classic "Voices")

Soundtracks

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References

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  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2003). Top Pop Singles 1955-2002 (1st ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 373. ISBN 0-89820-155-1.
  2. ^ "Karen Ichiuji-Ramone". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  3. ^ "New On The Charts: Karen Kamon". Billboard. August 11, 1984. p. 53.
  4. ^ "Karen Ramone Passes Away". March 25, 2020.
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