By Kevin Zimmerman
Lyricist Gerry Goffin, who along with Carole King wrote a string of mega-hit songs in the 1960s after they met as students at Queens College, died Thursday morning in his Los Angeles home of natural causes, his wife Michele announced Thursday. He was 75.
“Gerry Goffin was my first love,” King said in a statement Thursday. “He had a profound impact on my life and the rest of the world. Gerry was a good man and a dynamic force, whose words and creative influence will resonate for generations to come.”
Born in Brooklyn on Feb. 11, 1939, Goffin’s family later moved to Jamaica, where he grew up.
After graduating from high school, Goffin enrolled at Queens College where in 1958 he met King.
The couple married on Aug. 30, 1959, and pursued careers as songwriters, with King composing the music and Goffin writing the lyrics, during the heyday of the Brill Building’s pop music scene.
Their first No. 1 hit occurred in 1960 when the Shirelles recorded “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”
The duo’s streak continued for the next decade with a slew of Top 10 hits, including “The Locomotion,” “Up On the Roof,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
Goffin and King’s marriage lasted nine years and produced two children. The couple divorced in 1968.
“His legacy to me is our two daughters, four grandchildren, and our songs that have touched millions of people as well as a lifelong friendship,” King said.
The couple continued to work together for a bit after their divorce, and Goffin even co-wrote three hits from King’s 1971 breakthrough solo album “Tapestry.”
Broadway’s current hit musical, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” traces the couple’s relationship as husband and wife and prolific songwriters. The show opened in January, and Goffin and his wife attended the opening night performance. The cast dedicated Thursday evening’s performance to Goffin.
Post-King, Goffin continued to write No. 1 songs for other singers including Diana Ross’s “Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)” in 1975, and Whitney Houston’s “Saving All My Love For You” in 1984.
“His words expressed what so many people were feeling but didn’t know how to say,” King said. “If you want to join his loved ones in honoring him, look at the names of the songwriters under the title of songs. Among the titles associated with me, you’ll often find Gerry’s name next to mine.”
Besides his wife, Goffin is survived by four daughters, Louise Goffin, Sherry Goffin Kondor, Dawn Reavis and Lauren Goffin; a son, Jesse Goffin; six grandchildren; and a brother, Al.
