Ever heard of the Co-Sines? Devoted fans of singing
and songwriting icon Carole King know that King, who
started playing piano at age four, formed that vocal
quartet while still attending high school in New York.
The Co-Sines may never have been launched into the stratosphere
of superstardom, but King has definitely made her mark
on the music world. Her work has been recorded by musicians
from Aretha Franklin to the Beatles, and she gained
star status as a singer herself with her album “Tapestry.”
“Tapestry” wasn’t released until
1971, but by then, King was already well-known in musical
circles for her talent as a songwriter, and in 1959,
she even had a song written about her. Fellow singer/songwriter
and friend Neil Sedaka charted a hit with “Oh!
Carol,” but it was writing partner Gerry Goffin
whom King eventually married.
In 1961, Goffin and King churned out their first hit
with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” which
hit the top of the charts for the Shirelles. Bobby Vee
reached number one with their “Take Good Care
of My Baby,” and Little Eva did the same with
“The Locomotion.” The partnership racked
up more than 100 hits in a wide range of musical styles,
from the Chiffons’ “One Fine Day”
to Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A
Natural Woman.” The Beatles eventually covered
“Chains,” which was originally a hit for
the Cookies.
King and Goffin divorced, and she married bassist Charles
Larkey and moved to the west coast, where the two formed
a trio called the City with Danny Kortchmar. “Now
That Everything’s Been Said” was released,
but King’s stage fright kept the trio from touring,
and the album was unsuccessful, though other artists
later hit the charts with some of its singles.
King’s efforts at launching a solo career also
foundered until the release of her second album, “Tapestry,”
which followed 1970’s debut, “Writer.”
The follow-up stayed on the charts for more than six
years and generated the hit singles “It’s
Too Late” and “So Far Away.” King
released three more albums in four years, with “Music”
and “Wrap Around Joy” hitting the top of
the charts. “Rhymes & Reasons” went
to number two.
Two albums later, in 1977, King went on tour. She then
married her third husband, frequent writing partner
Rick Evers, who died a year later. “Pearls,”
a collection of songs written during King’s partnership
with Goffin, was released in 1980 and was her final
significant hit. However, King continues to record and
is active in the environment and politics. Her song,
“Where You Lead (I Will Follow)” is the
theme of the television hit Gilmore Girls.
In 2004, King launched the “Living Room Tour,”
and the first show, as well as a few others, were recorded
for an album. It’s safe to say that Carole King
concert tickets are still very much in demand today.
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