Songwriter Gerry Goffin, with Hits in the '60s and '70s, Dies at 75

Lyricist Gerry Goffin, who along with Carole King authored such Top 40 hits as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” has died at age 75.

NPR’s Neda Ulaby says Goffin died Thursday morning in Los Angeles. She says “as soon as Gary Goffin met Carole King in 1958 they started co-writing songs. She played the piano while he scribbled down lyrics.”

Their first hit, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” was for the Shirelles. They also wrote music for artists ranging from James Taylor to the Byrds, and other hits they penned included the Monkees’ “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “The Loco-Motion” by Little Eva.

Goffin and King were married until 1968, but their divorce was amicable and they kept working together, Neda says.

Goffin’s wife, Michelle Goffin, confirmed his death.

King said in a statement that Goffin was her “first love” and had a “profound impact” on her life, according to The Associated Press.

“Gerry was a good man with a dynamic force, whose words and creative influence will resonate for generations to come,” King said. “His words expressed what so many people were feeling but didn’t know how to say.”

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