1988 Was a Great Year for Jazz

The hit songwriter sang bass with the doo-wop group The Crowns; he switched to lead vocals when they became The Drifters. King got his start at Harlem's Apollo Theater before finding national fame. As a solo performer, he had hits with original songs like "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem."

Spector is best known for her song "Be My Baby." She was the frontwoman of the Ronettes and former wife of Phil Spector, who forbade her from performing during their marriage. The singer released a new album last year, called Unfinished Business.

TV critic David Bianulli says that the brief history of the Carpenters, particularly Karen Carpenter's death from anorexia nervosa, was tragic, but short on details to make a compelling biopic. With Carpenter's brother Richard serving as producer, the movie shies away from the truth, and ultimately falls flat.